the Persian War by Neoptolemus his Verses Philip's Pride His Murther The Cause of it and how it was done and by whom WHen Pythodorus was chief Governor of Athens and Quintus Publius and Tiberius Olymp. 111. 1. Ant. Ch. 334. An. M. 3609. Aemilius Mamercus were Roman Consuls the Hundred and Eleventh Olympiad was celebrated wherein Cleomentis Cletorius wan the Prize In this Year Philip began the War against the Persians and forthwith sent A taâ—us and Parmenio before into Asia to free the Greek Cities there from Slavery He himself intending to have the Concurrence of the Gods consulted the Oracle at Delphos whether or no he should be victorious over Philip consults the Oracle the King of Persia The Answer was thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Ox is crown'd when 's end is near at hand To offer him a Man doth ready stand This doubtful Answer Philip constru'd to his own advantage as if the Oracle had expresly foretold that he should lead away the Persian King as a Victim to the Sacrifice But in truth it fell out quite otherwise and by the effect it appear'd that it had a contrary Signification to wit that Philip in a Throng at the time of a Sacred Festival was to be knock'd on the Head like a Bullock crown'd with a Garland for Sacrifice In the mean time he was very jocund as if he had conquer'd Asia already and concluded the Gods were engag'd with him in the Expedition Without delay therefore he offer'd most costly and magnificent Sacrifices and at the same time solemnized the Marriage of his Daughter Cleopatra by Olympias He Marry'd her to Alexander King of Epirus Brother of Olympias Having therefore a desire of a considerable Appearance of Philip's pompous Festivals at the Marriage of his Daughter Cleopatra the Graecians at this Nuptial Festivity conjoin'd with his Religious Sacrifices he made most pompous Preparation for the Entertainment of his Friends and Guests both with Musick Dancing and Feasting To this End he Invited those that were his special Friends and Familiars all over Greece and commanded his Servants and Attendants that they should invite as many Strangers from all Places as were of their own Acquaintance And his main design in all this was that he might assure all the Graecians of his Kindness towards them and testify his Gratitude by these Friendly Entertainments for the Honours conferr'd upon him A vast Concourse of People therefore were got together from all Places to the Solemnity of these Nuptials which were magnificently Solemniz'd at * Or Aegeas Aeges in Macedonia with all sorts of Sports and Plays so that not only Noblemen and Persons of Quality but even many great Cities presented Philip with Crowns of Gold Among the Cities Athens made one and when the Common Cryer with a loud Voice presented the Crown sent from them to Philip he clos'd with this That if any Plotter of Treason against Philip should hereafter slee to Athens for shelter he should be forthwith deliver'd up By this accidental Publication of this Cryer it seem'd to be intimated as it were by some Divine Providence that some piece of Treachery was near at hand to be executed There were several other the like Words as by a Divine Instigation uttered which portended the King's Death There was then at the Festival Neoptolemus the Tragedian Neoptolemus the Poet. remarkable above all others for the Loudness of his Voice and Famous and Eminent in other respects He had commanded him to repeat some Verses which he was ordered to compose especially relating to the Persian Expedition Whereupon he began to recite a Witty Poem proper as he thought to Philip's intended Passage into Asia wherein he set forth the Glory and Greatness of the Persian King and though he was so Famous all the World over yet that Fortune would some time or other bring him down The Poem was thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Y 're Minds are Higher than the Sky o'er-grown The greatest part of Earth you wish y 're own Houses to Houses join Fools without end You would y 're Lives as well as Lands extend But doleful Death alas Although ye do Creep towards it will gallop unto you Of long Hopes very shortly cut the Clue He added likewise other to the same Sense with these But Philip resting wholly upon these recited his Thoughts were altogether full of his Conquering the King of Persia And he much revolv'd in his Mind the Answer given him by the Oracle which agreed in all Points with the Words of the Tragedian After the Feast for that time was ended and the Sports were to be renew'd the next Day a great number of People in the Night-time flock'd into the Theatre And whereas twelve Images of the Gods amongst other sumptuous Preparations most curiously wrought and richly adorn'd were brought forth in pompous Procession the Image of Philip cloth'd like the Gods in every respect made the Thirteenth hereby arrogating to Philip's Pride himself a Place as if he would be inthron'd among the * There were 12 chief Gods among the Greeks they were call'd Olympii their Names Jupiter Mars Mercury Neptune Vulcan Apollo Juno Vesta Minerva Ceres Diana Venus Vid. Herodotus in Terpsicore Gods The Theatre being now full he himself came forth cloathed in a white Robe his Life-Guard following him at a great Distance designing thereby to evidence it to all that he judg'd himself secure in the Hearts and Affections of the Grecians and therefore stood not in need of the Guard of his Halberteers While he was thus with loud and joyful Acclamations cry'd up as it were to the Stars and the whole Multitude resounded his Praise upon a sudden and beyond all Mens expectation he was treacherously †Phi. murder'd murther'd But for the Clearer and more distinct Understanding of the History in this matter we This was about our 24th of September The manner and occasion of Philip's Murther shall first relate the Causes and Grounds of this Assassination There was one Pausanias a Macedonian of the City call'd Oristis one of the King's Esquires of the Body and for his Beauty dearly belov'd of him This Man taking notice how much another young Youth of the same Name was doted on by Philip fell upon him with very foul and opprobrious Language telling him he was an * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hermaphradite for that he prostituted himself to the Lust of every one that would He resented this Disgrace very ill but conceal'd it for a while Afterwards consulting with Attalus what was to be done for the future he determin'd presently after in an unusual manner to put an end to his own Life For within a while after in a Battel wherein Philip was engag'd against Plurias King of the Illyrians Pausanias in the heat of the Fight interpos'd himself between the
resolv'd to discover the Matter to those Captains and Officers as should be able to defeat him in his Contivance and to that purpose strictly observ'd his Motions For he look'd upon it as a base and unworthy Thing that he who had undergone a good part of the Toils and Hazards of the War for the sake of his Father and Brother should be now left alone as a Prey to the Enemy without all Hopes of Deliverance He inform'd therefore some of the Captains and most considerable Officers of the intended Departure of Agathocles and his Companions the next night Whereupon all the Body forthwith made up to him P. 769. and not onâ—y put a stop to his Voyage but acquainted the common Soldiers how the Plot was laid who being both griev'd and enrag'd together laid hold on him and bound him and so committed him to custody An Anarchy following hereupon there was nothing Agathocles in Bonds by his own Men. but Tumult and Confusion throughout all the Camp And when Night came on a Rumour was spread over the Camp that the Enemy was just falling in amongst them Upon which all were so possess'd with a Panick Fear that having none to Command them every one was preparing to get away at which very time they that had the Custody of the Prince in as great a Consternation as the rest thought that some or Ant. Ch. 305. other call'd them forth who thereupon came out with Agathocles in his Chains along with them at which fight the whole Army were so affected with Pity and Compassion that they cry'd out Unloose him let him go Being freed from his Chains he presently after with a small Attendance stole away He steals out of Africa and took Shipping about * At the setting of the Pleiades or Seven Stars the beginning of October in the Night in Winter-time and away he got And thus to preserve himself forsook his Children whom the Soldiers presently upon the News of their Father's Flight knock'd on the Head and then chose Captains from among themselves and made Peace with the Carthaginians upon these His 2 Sons kill'd by the Soldiers Conditions viz. That the Greeks should receive Three hundred Talents and should restore all the Towns they then held and that all that would might take up Arms Peace made with the Carthaginians with the Carthaginians and receive the usual Pay That the rest should be transported to Sicily and should have Selinunt for their Habitation The greatest part of the Soldiers who were faithful to what they had agreed had all as faithfully perform'd to them But those Cities and Towns that held out in Hopes and Expectations of Relief from Agathocles were all taken by force of Arms whose several Governors the Carthaginians crucifi'd and the rest they bound in Chains and employ'd them to Till and Repair by their own Labours those Parts of the Country that they had before wasted and destroy'd And thus the Carthaginians after they had been harrass'd and vext with a Four Years War recover'd their former Peace and Liberty Ant. Ch. 305. In this Expedition of Agathocles into Africa any one may observe most remarkable Accidents and the Divine Providence in the Punishment inflicted upon his Sons For being routed in Sicily he lost the greatest part of his Army A little time after he overcame the Conquerors with a very inconsiderable Body of Men in Africa In Sicily being thrown out of all the Cities he was coop'd up by a close Siege within the Walls of Syracuse In Africa he gain'd all the Towns except Carthage and closely besieg'd the Carthaginians in that City by which Fortune seem'd to make it her Business to let every one see what Power she had to retrieve those Things that seem'd to be in a desperate Condition But after that Agathocles in the height of his Prosperity had murder'd Opellas against all the Laws of Friendship and Hospitality God made it manifestly apparent that for that piece of Wickedness acted upon that Man whatever happen'd to him afterwards was order'd and dispens'd by his own hand For the very Month and Day of the Month that he kill'd Ophellas and brought over to him all his Army the very Moral 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 same Day and Month he again lost both his Sons and his Army And that which is more especially to be observ'd was That God as a just Law-giver inflicted on him a double Ant Ch 305. Punishment for he who had most wickedly destroy'd his Friend was depriv'd of two Sons together even by the Hands of those that came along with Ophellas This Remark ought not to offend those who slight and despise such Providences As for Agathocles as soon as he landed in Sicily by a hasty flight out of Africa he Agathocles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aegista sent for part of his Forces and march'd to the Consederate City of the Aegestines And being in want of Money exacted the greatest part of the Estates of those that were rich in which Place were Ten thousand Inhabitants This many of them took very heinously and met together in private Cabals But he finding out that the 〈◊〉 were plotting against him he brought most dreadful Calamity upon the City For drawing out all the Poor out of the Town he cut all their Throats upon the Bank of the River Scamander And all those who seem'd to be richer than the rest he put to several P. 770. Tortures to force them to confess how much Money they had For some he broke upon the Wheel others he bound to his Engines of Battery and shot them away like Stones And of others he cut out the Ankle-bones of their Feet and by his cruel and unmerciful Dealing put them to most horrible Torments He invented likewise another sort of Ant. Ch. 305. Punishment not much unlike the Phalerian Bull for he made a Bed of Brâ—â—s exactly after the shape of a Man wherein were several Openings and hollow Places on every side Those that he intended to torment he put into this Bed and then put fire under it and burnt them to Death In this only this Engine differ'd from the Bull. That those that perish'd and were consum'd in those strait and narrow Holes were expos'd to the view of every one He would likewise break in pieces the Ankle-Bones of some of the rich Women with Iron Pincers and cut off the Breasts of others and would sometimes lay a weight of Tiles upon the Loins of Women with Child till he forc'd the Child to leap as it were forcibly out of the Womb. While the Tyrant was in this manner endeavouring to find out all the Wealth every Body had and the whole City was in Terror and Astonishment some burnt themselves and their Houses together and others hang'd themselves And thus Aegesta in one black and doleful Day had the Prime and Flower of her Youth cut off But the young Women and Children the Tyrant transported into
Authors of the Truce insomuch as they of Argos cast Stones at the Officers of the Army and had order'd them all to be put to death which had been executed if by great intercession their Lives had not been spared but their Goods were confiscated and their Houses pull'd down The Lucedemonians also intended to have put Agis to Death but upon his Agis threatned to be put to Death promise to wipe off the stain of the late miscarriage by his future Services with much adoe he was spar'd However for the future they join'd with him Ten Persons approv'd for their Wisdom and Prudence without whose Advice he was strictly charg'd not to do any thing for the time to come After this when the Athenians had sent forth a Thousand well-arm'd Men and Two Hundred Horse by Sea to them of Argos under the command of Nichetes Ante Chr. 420. and Nichostratus to whom Alcibiades join'd himself though then in no command for the great love and kindness he bore towards the Mantineans and Eleans the Argives in a common Assembly decreed that notwithstanding the former Agreement they should make it their business to carry on the War with all their Power To that end all the Officers incouraged every one their own Souldiers who readily and heartily follow'd their Leaders and encamp'd out of the Walls of the City There it was concluded to be most advisable to begin first with an Expedition against Orchomenia in Arcadia To that purpose having advanced into Arcadia they besieg'd the City and wearled it out with Orcomenia taken by the Argives daily Assaults and having taken the Town they march'd to Tegea determining to force that likewise The Tegeans desiring speedy aid from the Lacedemonians they with the strength of their whole City and of their Confederates made for Mantinea conceiving that by Besieging of that a stop would be easily put to the Siege of Tegea But the Mantineans being inforc'd by the Assistance of their Confederates march'd out with the Youth of their City and had an Army in the Field ready to oppose the Lacedemonians Presently hereupon Battel was joyn'd and a select Band of the Argives consisting of a Thousand well disciplin'd and expert Souldiers were the first that put the Enemy to flight and made a great Slaughter in the Pursuit But the Lacedemonians returning from Ant. Chr. 420. A Battel between the Lacedemonians and the Mantineans the Pursuit and Slaughter of those they had routed in another part of the Army fell upon the Conquering Argives and surrounding them made no question but to cut them off every Man And whereas these brave Men although far inferior in number prevail'd in a great measure against their Enemies the Lacedemonian King being earnest to perform his Promise to the Citizens and to wipe off the stain of his former disgrace by some great and remarkable Action in the Head of his Army ran through all sorts of Difficulties in the Fight and had kill'd them all upon the spot if he had not been prevented for Pharax one of the Ten join'd with the King as his Council a Man of great authority in Lacedemon commanded the Souldiers to open a way for the Arcadians lest fighting with Men in a desperate condition they came to experience what Valour can do when it 's driven to a necessity The King restrain'd by his Command a Passage was made for the Enemy to break through as Pharax had ordered And in this manner these Thousand Men got off and the Lacedemonians having gain'd an eminent Victory set up a Trophy and return'd Home The former Year ended Antopha was chief Governour at Athens and Four Military Tribunes Caius Furius * Titus Quinctius Quintilius Olymp. 90. 3. An. Mund. 3554. Ante Chr. 419. Marcus Posthumus and Aulus Cornelius bore the Office of Consuls at Rome At that time the Argives and Lacedemonians had several Meetings and Messages to and fro about entring into a League one with another which was effected P. 327. accordingly Upon this the Mantineans now deserted by A League between the Lacedemonians and the Argives the Garrison put in there by the Argives were forc'd to come under the power of the Lacedemonians About the same time the Thousand choice Men before spoken of in the City of Argos conspir'd to overthrow the Democracy and set up an Aristocracy from among A Sedition in Argos themselves And having many Associates and Abettors in this Affair of the wealthiest and most couragious Men of the City they forthwith seiz'd upon the Tribunes of the People and the Heads and chief of those that were for Popular Government and cut their Throats The rest being terrified repealed all the ancient Laws and began to order all Affairs in the Commonwealth according to the Will and Pleasure of these Men. And after they had thus govern'd for the space of Eight Months they were by an insurrection of the People depos'd and the Democracy restor'd Another Disturbance likewise arose in Greece for upon a Difference happening between the Phoceans and the Locrians the matter came to a decision by the Sword The Phoceans were Conquerors Quarrels and a Fight beween the Phoceans and Locrians and kill'd above a Thousand of the Locrians In the mean time the Athenians under the Command of Niceas took Two Ant. Ch. 419. Cities * Cithera in Peloponesus Cithera and †Nicea a Port Town in Megara Nicea and in * Melus in Thessaly Melus which was taken by Storm they put all but Women and Children to the Sword and them they made Captives In Italy the Fidenates put the Roman Ambassadors to Death upon a light occasion At which base act of Injustice the People of Rome were highly incens'd and decreed to revenge it by a War To this end they made Manius Aemilius Dictator and according to the Custom join'd with him Aulus Cornelius the Master of the Horse When all things were in readiness he marcht against the Fidenates with all expedition who drew out and met him upon which there was a sharp Ingagement and so continu'd for a long time and after many were cut off on both sides they parted at length upon equal Terms At this time Euphemus was chief Magistrate at Athens and the Military Tribunes Olymp. 90. 4. An. Mu. 3555. Ant. Chr. 418. Lucius Furius Lucius Quinctius and Aulus Sempronius again executed the Consular Dignity at Rome At this time the Lacedemonians inforc'd by the Aid of their Confederates made an incursion into Argaia and took the small Town of of Argias kill'd the Inhabitants and raz'd the Castle Then hearing that they of Argos had enlarged their Walls out as far as to the Sea they marched thither and pull'd them down and return'd Home The Athenians made Alcibiades General who with Twenty Ships under his Command was order'd to do the utmost he could to restore the Argives to their former Government for there was such
that the Name of the King was only chang'd but that the Government should not be manag'd a jot worse than it was when his Father was alive He courteously likewise gave Audience to the Ambassadors and desir'd the Grecians that they would have the same Kindness for him that they had for his Father which he so esteem'd as that he look'd upon it as part of his Inheritance Then he employ'd himself in the frequent Trainings of the Soldiers and in Martial Exercises and brought the Army readily to submit to his Commands Attalus the Uncle of Cleopatra Philip's other Wife conspir'd to gain the Kingdom and therefore he resolv'd to take him out of the way For Cleopatra was brought to bed of a Son a few Alexander â—n rives how to kill Attalus Days before the Death of Philip and Attalus was sent a little before as General with Parmenio his Colleague with an Army into Asia where by his Bribes and fair Tongue he so gain'd the Hearts of the Soldiers that the Army was wholly at his Devotion Therefore the King conceiv'd he had just cause to be jealous of him lest if he should side with the Grecians who he knew were his Enemies he should by that means gain the Kingdom to himself Therefore he made choice of Heccateus one of his Friends and sent him with a considerable Army into Asia with Command to bring over Attalus alive if Ant. Ch. 333. he could and if he could not effect that to take the first Opportunity to kill him When he came into Asia he join'd his Forces with Attalus and Parmenio and watch'd a fit Opportunity to execute what he was commanded In the mean time Alexander being inform'd that many of the Greciani were hatching some Mischief in order to new Commotions his Thoughts were greatly perplex'd and Conspiracies among the Grecians against Alexander disturb'd For the Athenians Demosthenes stirring them up against the Macedonians rejoyc'd at the News of Philip's Death and resolv'd that the Macedonians should no longer domineer over Greece To this end they sent over Ambassadors to Attalus and privately consulted with him concerning the Management of the whole Affair and stirr'd up many of the Cities to assert their Liberties The Etolians made a Decree to recall the Exiles of Acarnania whom Philip had driven out of their Country The Ambrociots by the Persuasion of Aristarchus drave outthe Garison that was there and restor'd the Democracy The Thebans likewise decreed to cast out the Garison that was in the Citadel of Cadmea and that Alexander should never with their Consent have Command in Greece The Arcadians Ant. Ch. 333. also as they were the only People that refus'd to give their Consent that Philip should be General of Greece so they now rejected Alexander The rest of the Peloponnesians as the Argives Eleans Lacedaemonians and some others were with all their might for their own Government To conclude many of the Nations beyond Macedonia waited for an Opportunity to rebell and great Commotions there were among the Barbarians in those Parts Notwithstanding all which and the Fears that were every where in the Kingdom and though he was but a Youth yet in a short time beyond all expectation he overcame all those Difficulties and made all plain and clear before him reducing some to their Duty by fair and smooth Words and others through fear and dread of Punishments and the rest he compell'd by force to stoop to his Sovereignty In the first place he so far gain'd upon the Thessalians both by Promises of large Rewards and by his smooth and courteous Language telling them how near of kin he was to them by his Descent from Hercules that they by a Publick Decree declar'd him General of Greece as that which descended to him from his Father Having gain'd this Point he brought over the bordering Nations to the same Good Opinion of him Then he went to Pyle and in the Senate of the Amphictyons he so manag'd his Matters that by the General Consent of all he was created Generalissimo of all Greece He assur'd the Ambrociots Alexander made General of Greece in a kind and smooth Oration made to them That he had that Kindness for them that he would presently restore them to that Liberty which they so lately sought to recover But to strike the greater Terror into those that regarded not his Words he came with a swift March with an Army of Macedonians in an hostile manner into Baeotia and encamping near Cadmea struck a Terror into the City of the Thebans About the same time the Athenians hearing of the King 's coming into Boeotia slighted Ant. Ch. 333. him no longer For the Quickness of the Youth and his diligent dispatch of Business greatly terrify'd the Revolters Hereupon the Athenians order'd every thing they had in the Country to be brought into the City and the Walls to be repair'd and guarded as well as they could and sent Ambassadors to Alexander to beg pardon that they had no The Athenians send Ambassadors to Alexander sooner own'd his Sovereignty and order'd Demosthenes to accompany the Ambassadors But he came not with the other to Alexander but return'd from Citherone to Athens either because he was afraid upon the account of the Speeches he had publickly made against the Macedonians or that he was not willing to displease the Persian King For it is reported that he had receiv'd great Sums of Money from the Persians to beat down the Interest of the Macedonians by his Orations Which was hinted they say by Eschines in one of his Speeches wherein he upbraids Demosthenes for taking of Bribes in these Words Now the King's Gold plentifully bears all his Charges But this will not serve his turn long for * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a debaucht Course Covetousness is never satisfy'd with Abundance But to proceed Alexander return'd a very courteous Answer to the Ambassadors which freed the Athenians from their Fears and he order'd all the Ambassadors and * Of the Amphictyons Members of the Council to meet him at Corinth where when those who were usually Members of the General Council were come the King by a gracious Speech so prevail'd with the Grecians that they created him General of all Greece and decreed him Aid and Assistance against the Persians in order to revenge the many Injuries the Greeks had receiv'd Ant. Ch. 333. from them Having gain'd the Honour he thus sought for he march'd back with his Army into Macedonia Having now given an Account of the Affairs of Greece we shall relate next what things were done in Asia For Attalus presently upon the death of Philip began to set up for himself and to that end made a League with the Athenians in order by their joint Concurrence to oppose Alexander But afterwards he chang'd his Mind and fent a Letter written to him by Demosthenes to Alexander and in many smooth and flattering Expressions endeavour'd to
a Decree to send Fifteen Ambassadors Alexander presented by the Graecians with a Golden Crown to present a Golden Crown to Alexander in Congratulation of his Victory at Issus who was at that time besieging Gaza a Garison of the Persians which he took by Assault after a two Months siege CHAP. V. Alexander makes a Journey to the Temple of Jupiter-Hammon He 's presented by the Cyreneans The Description of the Place about the Temple The wonderful Properties of the Fountain Solis The Building of Alexandria Alexander's Answer to Darius his Ambassadors Alexander passes over the River Tygris with great hazard The Preparations on both sides for Battel The Persians routed at that Famous Battel at Arbela ARistophanes was now chief Governor of Athens and Spurius Posthumius and Titus Olymp. 112. 2. Ant. Ch. 329. An. M. 3619. Viturius were invested with the Dignity of Consuls at Rome when Alexander after the taking of Gaza sent Amyntas with Ten Sail into Macedonia with Orders to List the Stoutest of the young Men for Soldiers And in the mean time he himself march'd forward with the whole Army towards Aegypt and coming there all the Cities submitted to him without fighting For because the Persians had wickedly violated their Holy Rites and domineer'd imperiously over them they most willingly receiv'd the Macedonians Having setled his Affairs in Aegypt he undertook a Journey to the Temple of Hammon to consult with the Oracle there When he was in the midst of his Journey he was met He journeys to Jupiter Hammon Alexander presented by the Ambassadors of Cyrene presenting him with a Crown and other rich Gifts among which were Three hundred War-Horses and Five of the best Chariots drawn with four Horses a piece These he accepted and made a League of Peace and Amity with them and then with those that attended him went on forward in his Journey to the Temple When they came to the parch'd and dry Deserts for they had taken Water along with them they passed through a Region which was nothing but heaps of Sand. After the fourth Day their Water was spent so that they were in extremity of Distress while they were in this great perplexity and knew not what to resolve a sudden and unexpected shower of Rain then falling supply'd all their present Necessities which unexpected Preservation Ant. Ch. 329. they imputed to the Kindness and Providence of the Gods Having furnish'd themselves out of a Valley with so much Water as was sufficient for four days in that time they pass'd over this Dire and scorching Desart But in regard there was no visible Path by reason of the great Heaps of Sand those who led the way told the King that there were Crows which by their Croking at the Right Hand directed them the way to the Temple which the King taking as an happy Omen and thereupon concluded that his coming was grateful and acceptable to the Gods he went forward on his Journey with more chearfulness The next Place he came to was call'd the Bitter * Or Lake Pond Having travell'd thence a †About 15 Miles Hundred Furlongs he pass'd by the Cities of Hammon and in one days Journey more came to the Grove of the God The Site of the Temple is surrounded with a vast Dry and Sandy Desart Wast and Untill'd but it self is * Six Miles and something more Fifty furlongs Broad and as many Long full of pleasant Fountains and watered with running Streams richly planted with all sorts of Trees most of them bearing Fruit. The Temperature of the Air is a constant Spring And though all the Places round it are Dry and Scorching yet to all that live there the Heavens afford a most healthful Climate It 's reported that this Temple was built by Danaus the Aegyptian Towards the East and West part of this Sacred Ground the Aethiopians inhabit towards The Description of the Places the North the Numinidians a People of Africa and towards the South the Nasomeneans The Hammonians the Inhabitants of the Sacred Grove live in Villages In the middle of the Grove is a Castle fortify'd with a Treble Wall within the first stands the Ant. Ch. 329. Palace of the ancient Kings within the other was the Gynecaeum where were the Apartments for the Wives Children and Kindred of the Prince and stood as a common Fortress and Guard to the whole Place and lastly the Temple it self and the Sacred Laver wherein they wash'd the Sacrifices Within the Third were the Lodgings of the Archers and Darters and Guard-houses of those who attend as Guards upon the Prince when he walks abroad Not far from the Castle out of the Walls stands another Temple of Hammon shaded round with many Fruit Trees next to which is a Fountain call'd Solis from the Natural Effects of it For the Water differs in its temper according The Fountain Solis to the several Hours of the Day For about Sun rising it's Lukewarm afterwards as the Day comes on it grows colder and colder every Hour till Noon at which time it 's at the Coldest And thenceforward till Evening the Cold abates by degrees and when Night approaches it waxes hot again and encreases by little and little till Midnight at which time it boils through intensiveness of Heat From that time it cools by degrees till Sun-rising and then is Lukewarm again as it was before The Image of the * Idol God is adorn'd in every part with Emeralds and other precious Stones and delivers his Oracles in a singular and unusual Way For he 's carry'd about in a Golden Ship by fourscore Priests who make to that Place whither the God with a Nod of his Head directs them There follows a great Multitude of Matrons and young Virgins singing Paeans all the way as they go and setting forth the Praises of the Idol in Songs compos'd after the Custom of their own Country When Alexander was introduc'd by the Priests into the Temple and saw the God Ant. Ch. 329 one of the Old Prophets address'd himself to him and said God save thee my Son and this Title take along with thee from the God himself To whom he made Answer I accept it my Father and if you 'll make me Lord of the whole World your Son I 'll ever be call'd Upon which the Priest approach'd near the Altar and when the Men who according to Custom lift up the Image at the uttering some Words as Signs for that Purpose mov'd forward the Priest answer'd That the God would certainly bestow upon him what he had desir'd This was very acceptable to Alexander But then he further said I intreat thee O God that thou wouldst let me know what I have yet to enquire and that is Whether I have executed Justice upon all my Father's Murderers Or whether any have escap'd At which the Oracle cry'd out Express thy self better for no Mortal can kill thy Father but all the Murderers of
Italy and sold them to the Brutii And that the very Name of the Place should be extinguish'd and forgotten he call'd it Dic 〈…〉 lis and granted it for an Habitation to such Runagates as came over to him When he heard of the Murder of his Sons he was so enrag'd at them he had left behind His Cruelty a 〈…〉 Syracuse him in Africa that he sent some of his Friends to his Brother Antandrus at Syracuse with Oders that he should cut the Throats of all the Kindred and Relations of those that went over in the Carthaginian Expedition Who thereupon executing what he was Ant. Ch. 〈◊〉 commanded committed such Slaughters and Murders as were never at any time before For he not only hurried away to Destruction young Men in the prime of their Age as Brothers Fathers and Children but even Grandfathers and Great-Grandfathers if they happen'd then to be living tho' they had one Foot even in the Grave and could neither see nor hear through extremity of old Age Nay even Infants carri'd in Arms that were not sensible of any Harm design'd them before they felt it They dragg'd away likewise to Execution Women whether they were Servants or Kindred to them in Africa and whoever else that by their Death might be occasion of Grief and Sorrow to them So that while a vast number of Persons of all Ages and Sexes were hal'd away to Execution at the Sea-shore where the Butchers stood ready for them Tears earnest Intreaties upon their Knees and wo 〈…〉 Lamentations appear'd every where both from them that were butcher'd and from others who so far compassionated the sad Condition of their Neighbours that their Hearts were as full of Grief as theirs who were just ready to die And that which was the most grievous of all was That after so great a Slaughrer and that the 〈…〉 lses lay cast forth upon the Shoar neither Kinsman nor Friend durst bury them lest any of them should be thought Related to them that were dead The Multitude of them that were murder'd upon the Shoar was such that the Sea was did with 〈…〉 od a long way off which presented to the Eye at a great distance the Horridness of that barbarous Cruelty CHAP. IV. Antigonus his March into Egypt A Tempest near Raphia where he lost some of his Ships He returns into Syria Dinocrates prevails in Sicily Agathocles is willing to resign his Government but Dinocrates stands off What was done in Italy Antigonus his War with the Rhodians Rhodes besieg'd by Demetrius Agathocles routs Dinocrates his great Army with a few Men. His Cruelty to those that submitted upon Terms where he butchers Seven thousand Dinocrates in Favour with Agathocles and betrays all the Confederates What was done in Italy THE Year following Corybus was chief Magistrate at Athens and Quintus Martius Olymp. 118. 3. Ant. Ch. 304. and Publius Cornelius were created Consuls at Rome About that time King Antigonus buri'd his youngest Son with Royal Pomp and Splendour and calling home Demetrius out of Cyprus commanded his whole Army to meet at his new City Antigonia for he purpos'd to march from thence into Aegypt Wherefore leading the Foot himself he pass'd through Coelo-Syria having an Army of Fourscore thousand Foot and above Eight Antigonus his March into Aegypt Ant. Ch. 304. P. 771. thousand Horse and Fourscore and three Elephants He made Demetrius Admiral of his Fleet giving him order to keep close to the Shoar in sight of the Land-Army having in all a Hundred and fifty fighting Ships and a Hundred more of Burden wherein was an infinite store of Arms of all sorts And when the Pilots told him That they were to stay till the setting of the Seven Stars which would be the * About the begin 〈◊〉 of April Eighth Day from thence he condemn'd them for being too Timorous Coming to Gaza and purposing to fall upon Ptolemy before he was provided for him he commanded his Soldiers to take with them Ten Days Victual and getting together Camels out of Arabia he loaded on them a Hundred and thirty thousand Bushels of Wheat and infinite store of Hay upon other Beasts 13 Myriads of Medimnas every Medimna 18 Galions of Carriage and carrying his Munition on Carts went through the Desart not without some Trouble to the Army for that they met with sundry Fens and dirty Places by the way especially about the Place call'd Barathra Demetrius loosing from Gaza in the dead of Night was for many Days together becalm'd so that the lighter Ships were fain to tow the Ships of Burden after them with Ropes But after this and as soon as the Seven Stars were set a Northerly Wind arose and fell upon them with which many of the Ships with four Tire of Oars apiece were driven on shoar near to the City Rhaphia where was no commodious Landing for them But of those which carry'd the Artillery some of Tempest them were sunk and the rest recover'd Gaza again Yet some of the best of them bare up and came under the Promontory of Cassius That Foreland is not far distant from the River Nile but is no place fit for Shipping especially if any Tempest be there is no coming near it Wherefore every Ship dropping two Anchors apiece two Furlongs off from Land were fain to ride it out in a huge Sea in the midst of a Thousand Dangers for the Fury of the Waves was such that the great Danger was lest both Men and Ships should sink down together and because there was no fit Landing place and likewise for Ant. Ch. 304. that the Shoar was guarded by the Enemy the Vessels could neither make to Land nor any swim out without extream Hazard But that which was most grievous was That they had spent all their fresh Water and were Reduc'd to that extremity of Want that had the Tempest lasted but one day longer they must all necessarily have perish'd for very Thirst But in this great Extremity of theirs and when they expected nothing but Death the Storm ceas'd Antigonus with his Army coming to the place there encamp'd and the weather-beaten Men came ashoar and refresh'd themselves in the Camp and waited for the Ships that were separated from them by the Storm Nevertheless there were lost in this Tempest Three Ships of Five Tires of Oars apiece out of which some Men escap'd alive to Land For hence Antigonus remov'd and sate down with his Army Two Furlongs off from the River Nile But Ptolemy having Mann'd all the Bank of the River with strong Garisons sent some in River-Boats with Commands that going as near the further Bank as safely they could they should there proclaim That if any of Antigonus his Army would come to him he would give him if a common Soldier * Two Pounds i. e. 6l 5s of ours Two Minas if a Captain a Talent No sooner was this Proclamation made but a Multitude of Antigonus his Men which
Scipio Africanus the most Eminent of all the Romans that ever were before him was his Grandfather Scipio thus Nobly descended and taken into so famous a Family approv'd himself not the least unworthy the Glory and Renown of his Ancestors For he was brought up and instructed from his Childhood in the Learning of the Greeks and when he was 18 years of age apply'd himself to the study of Philosophy under the Inspection of Polybius of Megalopolis the Historian his Tutor with whom he continu'd a considerable time and increasing in all manner of Virtue he not only excell'd his equals in years but those far elder than himself in Sobriety Affableness Generosity and all other virtnous qualifications But before he fell to the study of Philosophy it was every bodies Opinion that he was but dull and blockish very unworthy to be Heir to so great a Family In the first place he made it his chief Care and Business to be Sober as conducing much to the commendation of his youthful age which was then at his years a very difficult Task For the Youth at that time were hurried away by filthy Lusts and an Excess of intemperance with an impetuous Current some to Sodomy others to Whores Gluttony Drunkenness Revellings and such like Luxurious and Voluptuous Courses For the Romans presently learnt the Effeminate Manners of the Greeks in this kind through the long continuance of the Persian War and besides having gain'd abundance of Wealth they were plentifully supply'd with Fuel to seed their Luxury 76. But Scipio following another course of Life and combating with all his natural corrupt Lusts as with so many wild Beasts within the space of Five years attain'd to a fix'd and habitual state of Sobriety and Temperance To which all giving their Testimony and generally crying him up upon that account he then put forth himself in acts of Bounty Generosity and Liberality in distributing his Money for the good of others For which sort of Virtue he had an Example in his Father Aemilius under whose instruction he was long bred up and now exhibited as it were a perfect Copy of his Virtue But Fortune likewise presented him an Eminent occasion of expressing his Liberality For when Aemilia the Wife of Great Scipio the Sister of Aemilius who conquer'd Perseus dy'd and left a great Estate behind her of which Scipio was Heir he first gave an instance of his generous disposition upon this occasion For his Mother Papiria being cast off long before the death of his Father had liv'd a considerable time separate from her Husband in a far meaner condition than became one of her Noble Birth But Aemilia the Mother of his adopted Father leaving behind her a great Inheritance besides other Riches had a rich Robe and Womans Gown together with a splendid Retinue of Houshold-Servants as being the Wife of the Great Scipio and so Sharer with him in his Estate and Fortune All these Scipio Nobly bestow'd upon his Mother in which stately Habit when she appear'd in publick amongst the Ladies of Quality the Bounty and Generosity of the young Man and his Piety towards his Mother was highly applauded First among the Women and then among all Companies and Societies of Men throughout the whole City This piece of Liberality was lookt upon by the whole City not only as a thing commendable but even wonderful especially at Rome in which City none easily parts with any thing they have to another After this there being a great sum of Money owing to the Daughters of the Great Scipio as their * Portions Dowries and whereas by the Roman Laws the Party that was to pay such Portions had liberty to pay them in Three years time by a certain proportion every year he paid the whole down at once Afterwards when his natural Father Aemilius was dead and he and his Brother Fabius were constituted joint Heirs of his Estate Scipio did another Honourable Act well worthy to be remembred For when he knew that his Brother had far less than himself he freely bestow'd upon him his own share of the Inheritance amounting to above Sixty Talents and so made his Brother as rich as himself which Act being generally cry'd up he did that which was further remarkable For when Fabius was resolv'd to exhibit single Combats by Gladiators at the Funeral of his Father yet was not well able to bear the great Charge it would require Scipio bore half of the Cost and Expence out of his own Purse A little time after when his Mother died he was so far from taking again what he had before bestow'd on her that he gave not only them but all the rest of his Mother's Inheritance to his Sisters altho' no part of her Estate by the Laws belong'd to them Thus Scipio being cry'd up by the unanimous Consent of all Persons for his generosity he grew every day more and more famous and renown'd which he attain'd unto not so much by greatness of Expence as by choice of fit opportunities to express his Kindnesses and an Art in Conferring of his Gifts and Benefits upon proper Objects He gain'd likewise a just Reputation for his Chastity without any Cost or Charge but only by his Moderation and Sobriety from whence likewise he reapt the great Benefit of Health and Strength of Body and following this Course all his life long he injoy'd a Reward of his Temperance with great pleasure and delight And as for all the parts of Valour which is a Virtue absolutely necessary every where especially among the Romans he was not in the least wanting or negligent in that respect Fortune affording him a special opportunity to approve himself for the Macedonian Kings being much given to Hunting Scipio by far surpass'd them all 77. After that the Romans had Conquer'd * Ptolemy Philometer Perseus they put some of them to death Charopus who had sided with the Macedonians and others they sent to Rome But Charopus being cloth'd with an absolute Power and Authority in Epirus because he seem'd to be a great favourer of the Romans at first dealt with the Epirots something gently and mildly but afterwards growing every day more proud and insolent he turn'd every thing in Epirus upside down For by false Accusations against the richest Men he banish'd some put others to death and Confiscated their Goods And he not only squeez'd Money from Men but from Women by the help of his Mother Philota who was more than a Woman in Cruelty and Wickedness Many likewise who were accus'd to be plotting against the Romans he gave up into the Hands of the People who were all Condemn'd to die 78. Orofernes having depos'd his Brother Ariarathes when he ought to have manag'd Orofernes King of Capadocia Ush An. 460. Before Ch. 160. his Affairs with the greatest prudence imaginable and ingratiated himself into the Hearts of his People by Kindness and Acts of Grace and Favour intended no such Matter But being
beautiful Frame and Order and likewise conjoyn'd the Natures of Men in a common Analogy and Likeness one to another incessantly wheels about every Age as in a Circle imparting to each what is before by Fate shar'd out and allotted for them So these Historians by committing to Writing the common Actions of Men through the whole World as if they were the Affairs only of one City represent their Labours as one intire Account and common Repertory and Treasury of Human Transactions For it 's a desirable thing to be in a capacity to make use of the Mistakes of others the better to order the course of our own Lives and in the various Events and Accidents that may befal us not to be then at a loss and seeking what is to be done but rather to be able to imitate what has been well done And certainly as to Councel and Advice all prefer Ancient Men before those that are Young because of their Prudence gain'd by a long Experience But History goes as far beyond the Knowledge of Old Men as we are sure it does surmount all their Experience in multitude of Examples So that any Man may justly look upon it as a thing most profitable and advantageous to make use of this upon all occasions and accidents of this Life As for Young Men it teaches them the Wisdom and Prudence of the Old and increases and improves the Wisdom of the Aged It fits Private Men for high Places and stirs up Princes for the sake of Honour and Glory to these Exploits that may immortalize their Names It incourages likewise Souldiers to Fight the more Couragiously for their Country upon the hopes of Applause and Commendation after their Deaths And as a Curb to the Impious and Prophane it restrains them in some measure upon the account of being noted to Posterity with a perpetual Brand of Infamy and Disgrace What shall I say In hopes of having the Memory of their good Acts recorded to Posterity by Historians some have built Cities others have apply'd themselves to the Promulgation of good and wholsom Laws Many also upon this account have set their Wits at work to invent Arts and Sciences for the good of Mankind And whereas compleat Happiness is made up of all Perfections centring in one History consequently is to bear away the Prize which is the Cause of all those commendable and glorious effects For it 's most certain She is the Preserver of the Virtues of Worthy Men to Posterity and an eternal Witness to the Cowardize and Impiety of others and a Benefactor to all Mankind in general For if a fine spun Story consisting meerly of Fictions told of things done among the Spirits In Hell below tends much to the promoting of Piety and Justice how much more then may we conclude that History the most noble Assertrix of Truth and very Metropolis as it were of all Philosophy may adorn the Manners of Men with Principles of Justice and Honesty For there is not a Man through the Infirmity of Human Nature that lives scarce a moment of an entire Eternity but is extinguish'd and gone for ever after this Life and with those who never did any thing commendable in their Life-time all their Injoyments and Comforts perish with them But those who have signalized themselves by virtuous Actions are made famous in every Age their praises being proclaim'd as it were by Or by a Divine Mouth of History a Divine Voice from History I judge it therefore honourable and commendable and a piece of admirable Wisdom and Prudence to purchase that Glory which is immortal with Labours and Sufferings that are but short and temporal It 's confess'd by all concerning Hercules that while he was here upon Earth he voluntarily undertook great and continual Labours and ran through many Dangers that by doing good to Mankind he might gain the Reward of an Immortal Fame And as to other Men some are honour'd as Heroes others Deify'd as Gods and all by the help and advantage of History which has transmitted their Virtues to Posterity and caus'd the Remembrance of them to be immortal Other Monuments indure but for a little time and are often ruin'd and destroy'd by various Accidents but the force and vigour of History pierces through the whole World and Time it self which consumes all other things is its Keeper handing it down to Posterity for ever History likewise conduces much to make a Man Eloquent than which nothing is more commendable for by this Grecians excel Barbarians and the Learn'd those that are Ignorant And by this Art alone it is that one single Person many times prevails over Multitudes To conclude Whatever is done appears to be such either as to Quantity or Quality as the Eloquent Rhetorician is pleas'd to make it And such we call Good Men Men of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Worthy Men of Language high Esteem for excellent Language as those that by that Qualification have attain'd to the highest pitch of Virtue But this Art of Speaking well is divided into several Parts That part which is Poetical seems to delight more than to profit the Auditor that which relates to making of Laws tends more to Coertion than Instruction and the other parts either contribute nothing at all to our well-being or they are as hurtful one way as they are useful and profitable another and some of them even oppose the Truth with downright Lyes But History only wherein Words and Things agree comprehends in Writing what is both pleasant and profitable For who cannot discern but that it perswades to Justice condemns the wicked and vicious praises the good and greatly improves the Understanding of the Those that meet with it Readers And therefore when we saw these sort of Writers deservedly in great Esteem we were stir'd up to an earnest study of prosecuting the same Subject But when we seriously consider the Authors that have been before us though we highly approve of their Method and Design as far as we may justly yet we conceive their Writings are not altogether compos'd to the due Measure of Profit and Advantage as they ought to be For whereas to profit the Reader it 's necessarily requisite that many and various Circumstances of Affairs be related many set forth the Wars only of one Nation or one single City for very few have begun their Histories from Antient Times or have made it their Business to write of the Affairs of all Nations in General to these our Days And those that do some of them fix no certain Time to the several Transactions they write of and others altogether pass over the Affairs of the Barbarians And some there are that never mention the Ancient Mythologies but slip them by because of the Difficulty of the Subject Some that have begun to write have been prevented by Death and so have left their Works imperfect And none who have hitherto set themselves to this Business have brought down their History below the Times
of the Macedonians For some have broke off at Philip others at the Acts of Alexander and others at his Successors or Posterity And although many great and considerable Actions since those Times to these our Days have been upon the Stage yet no Historian has hitherto undertaken to set them forth in one intire Tract by reason of the Tediousness of the Work And in regard that in those Writings which we have the Times and Actions that have been comprehended in them are hudled together in several Volumes writ by various and several Authors it 's a very difficult matter either to understand or remember them Having therefore diligently perus'd and examin'd the Tracts of the several Authors I determin'd to compose one intire History from which the Reader might reap much Advantage with little Labour and Pains For he who endeavours to the utmost of his power to comprehend in his Writings the memorable Affairs and Actions of the whole World as of one single City bringing down his History from the most ancient Times to his own Age though he set upon a Work certainly very Laborious yet he 'll perform that which when finish'd will be undoubtedly most useful and profitable For hence every Man may as out of a common Fountain draw what is convenient and serviceable for his own private use For as to them that have a desire to imploy themselves in tumbling and turning over so many Authors first such cannot easily get so many Books together as are necessary for their use and then again by reason of the differing Relations and multitude of Authors they can scarcely understand the Matters related But one General History in one intire Tract as it may be quickly and readily perus'd so the understanding of the subject matter with far more ease goes along with the Reading Yea this sort of History excels all others as far as the Whole is more useful than the Part as the intire thing is more desirable than that which is divided and that which fixes the exact Periods of Time more than that which leaves the Time uncertain and unknown when things related were done Perceiving therefore that such a Work would be of mighty use and advantage but that it would require both a long Time and a great deal of Labour and Pains we spent Thirty Years time in the Composing of it and for that purpose travell'd through a great part of Asia and Europe with many Hazards and Difficulties that we our selves might be Eye-Witnesses of most of the Parts and Places that were necessary for the carrying on of our Design in this Work For through the Ignorance of Places not only common Writers but even those who are reputed the most Eminent have committed many Errors and Mistakes The chief cause and that which most helpt forward the Design which though thought impossible is now fully compleated and perfected was the strong and constant desire we had of Composing such a Work Many Helps likewise were afforded to us at Rome for the Carrying on of what we had undertaken in this Kind For that noble City whose Power is stretcht out as far as to the utmost Corners of the Earth being that we had been there a long time an Inhabitant furnished us with many things ready at hand for our purpose For being born in Agyrus in Sicily and having in a great measure learnt the Roman Language by means of the frequent Commerce of Romans in that Island I diligently collected out of their Ancient Records what I found concerning the memorable Actions of this Empire We have begun our History with the Mythologies handed down to us as well those of the Grecians as of the Barbarians seriously weighing and considering as far as we were able what every one of them have related of things done in Ancient Times Having now finish'd what was design'd though not yet expos'd to publick view before that be done we shall declare something briefly concerning the whole Work Our First Six Books comprehend the Affairs and Mythologies of the Ages before the Trojan War of which the Three First contain the Barbarian and the next following almost all the Grecian Antiquities In the Eleven next after these we have given an Account of what has been done in every Place from the Time of the Trojan War till the Death of Alexander In the Three and Twenty Books following we have set forth all other Things and Affairs till the beginning of the War the Romans made upon the Galls at which time Julius Caesar the Emperor who upon the Account of his great Atchievements was surnam'd A Divine Person or a God Divus having subdu'd the Warlike Nations of the Galls inlarg'd the Roman Empire as far as to the British Isles whose First Acts fall in with the First Year of the Hundred and Eightieth Olympiad when Herodes A. M. 3896. Isaacson was chief Magistrate at Athens But as to the Limitation of Times contain'd in this Work we have not bound those things that happen'd before the Trojan War within any certain Limits because we could not find any Foundation whereon to rely with any Certainty According to Appollodorus we have accounted Fourscore Years from the Trojan War to the Return of Heraclides From thence to the First Olympiad A. M. 2848. Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Years computing the Times from the Lacedemonian Kings From the First Olympiad to the beginning of the Gallick War where our History ends are Seven Hundred and Thirty Years So that our whole Work comprehended in Forty Books is an History which takes in the Affairs of Eleven Hundred Thirty Eight Years besides those Times that preceded the Trojan War We have been the more careful to premise these things that the Reader might have the clearer Prospect into the nature of the whole Tract and that those who commonly take upon them to polish and amend Books may be at least prevail'd with not to corrupt other Mens Works Whatever therefore through the whole History is writ well let no Man envy What Slips there are through Ignorance they that are more knowing are very free to amend And now having finish'd what we thought fit to premise we shall endeavour actually to perform what we before promis'd as to the Writing of the History THE Historical Library OF Diodorus the Sicilian BOOK I. CHAP. I. Of the first Generation of Men. How the World first began Mens first manner of Life and who were the first Men. First Men in Egypt Who were the most antient Gods of Egypt Of their Demy-Gods Sol Saturn Rhea Jupiter Juno Vulcan reign'd in Egypt Of Osiris and Isis The Acts of Osiris and Isis Hermes his Inventions Osiris prepares for his Expedition through the World and to that end raises a great Army WHAT Notions they had of the Gods who first instituted Divine Worship and what is fabulously related of every one of the Deities because the Subject requires much to be said we shall distinctly set forth And whatever we
the Torrid Zone the Water is boil'd and therefore this River is sweeter than any other in the World for Heat does naturally dulcorate Water But this Reason is easily refuted for its plainly impossible that the River should rise to that height and come down to us from the opposite Zone especially if it be granted that the Earth is round But if any yet shall be so obstinate as to affirm it is so as the Philosophers have said I must in short say it 's against and contrary to the Laws of Nature For being they hold Opinions that in the nature of the things can hardly be disprov'd and place an inhabitable part of the World between us and them that are opposite to us they conclude that by this device they have made it impossible and out of the reach of the Wit of Man to confute them But it is but just and equal that those who affirm any thing positively should prove what they say either by good Authority or strength of Reason How comes it about that only the River Nile should come down to us from the other opposite Zone Have we not other Rivers that this may be as well apply'd to As to the Causes alledg'd for the sweetness of the Water they are absur'd For if the Water be boyl'd with the parching Heat and thereupon becomes sweet it would have no productive quality either of Fish or other Kinds of Creatures and Beasts for all Water whose Nature is chang'd by Fire is altogether incapable to breed any living thing and therefore being that the Nature of Nile contradicts this decoction and boyling of the Water we conclude that the Causes alledg'd of its increase are false The Opinion of Oenopides of Chios is this The Waters say he that are under the Earth in Summer-time are cold and warm in the Winter as we see by experience in deep Wells for in a sharp Winter they are the least cold but in Summer they are the coldest of any other time and therefore saith he there 's good reason that Nile in the Winter should grow low and contracted because the Heat in the Bowels of the Earth exhales much of the Water which cannot be supply'd in regard no Rains fall in Egypt But in Summer-time when the Waters that lye deep in the Earth are no longer exhal'd then the Channel of the River according to the order of Nature fills without any obstruction But to this it may be answer'd that many Rivers in Africa whose Mouths lye parallel with this River and run the like Course yet overflow not like Nile For on the contrary they rise in Winter and fall in Summer which clearly evinces his Falsity who endeavours with a shew of Reason to oppose the Truth But to the true cause * This is now found to be the true Reason at this day Agartharchides of Cnidus comes nearest For he says that in the Mountainous parts of Ethiopia there are Yearly continual Rains †From the 10th of June to the 10th of September from the Summer Solstice to the Equinox in Autumn and therefore there 's just cause for Nile to be low in the Winter which then flows only from its own natural Spring-heads and to overflow in Summer through the abundance of Rains And though none hitherto have been able to give a Reason of these Inundations yet he says his Opinion is not altogether to be rejected for there are many things that are contrary to the Rules of Nature for which none are able to give any substantial Reason That which happens in some parts of Asia he says gives some confirmation to his Opinion For in the Confines of Scythia near Mount Caucasus after the Winter is over he affirms that abundance of Snow falls every Year for many Days together And that in the Northern Parts of India at certain Times there falls abundance of Hail and of an incredible Bigness And that near the River Hydaspis in Summer-time it rains continually and the same happens in Ethiopia for many Days together and that this disorder of the Air whirling about occasions many Storms of Rain in Places near adjoyning and that therefore it 's no wonder if the Mountainous Parts of Ethiopia which lies much higher than Egypt are soakt with continual Rains wherewith the River being fill'd overflows especially since the natural Inhabitants of the Place affirm that thus it is in their Country And though these things now related are in their nature contrary to those in our own Climates yet we are not for that Reason to disbelieve them For with us the South Wind is cloudy and boysterous whereas in Ethiopia it 's calm and clear and that the North Winds in Europe are fierce and violent but in those Regions low and almost insensible But however after all though we could heap up variety of Arguments against all these Authors concerning the Inundation of Nile yet those which we have before alledg'd shall suffice lest we should transgress those Bounds of Brevity which at the first we propos'd to our selves Having therefore divided this Book because of the Largeness of it into Two Parts having before determin'd to keep within moderate Bounds we shall now end the first part of this Treatise and continue in the other those things that are further remarkable in Egypt coherent with those before beginning with the Actions of the Kings of Egypt and the antient way of Living among the Egyptians THE SECOND PART OF THE FIRST BOOK OF Diodorus the Sicilian CHAP. IV. The First way of Living of the Egyptians Gods and Demy-Gods their Reigns in Egypt The antient Kings of Egypt Menis c. Their several Works Thebes built by Busiris The stately Sepulchers Oblisks and Temples there A Description of Osimanduas's Sepulcher Memphis built by Uchoreus Meris's Lake Sesostris or Sesoosis his famous Expedition and great Works THE First Book of Diodorus is divided into Two Parts by reason of the Greatness of it the First whereof is as a Preface to the whole Work and in which an Account is given of what the Egyptians say concerning the Beginning of the World of the first Creation of the Universe and of those Gods that built Cities in Egypt and call'd them after their own Names of the First Men and their antient way of Living of the Worship of the Gods and the building of Temples by the Egyptians Moreover of the Situation of Egypt and what strange things are related of Nile the Causes of its Inundation and the various Opinions of Philosophers and Historians concerning it Wherein likewise is set down the Confutations of the several Writers In this we shall handle and go through those matters that have a dependance upon the former After we have distinctly set forth the antient way of Living among the Egyptians we shall then begin with their first Kings and declare the Acts of every one of them successively down to Amasis They say the Egyptians in antient Times fed upon nothing but Roots
to enter with part of his Army When he saw a competent number enter'd he fell upon them in the open Plain and fought them with that resolution that the Bactrians put the Assyrians to flight and pursuing them to the next Mountains kill'd a Hundred Thousand of their Enemies but after the whole Army enter'd the Bactrians were overpower'd by number and were broken and all fled to their several Cities in order to defend every one his own Country Ninus easily subdu'd all the rest of the Forts and Castles but Bactria it self was so strong and well provided that he could not force it which occasion'd a long and tedious Siege so that the Husband of Semiramis who was there in the King's Camp being Love-sick impatient of being any longer without his Wife sent for her who being both discreet and couragious and indowed with other noble Qualifications readily imbrac'd the opportunity of shewing to the World her own natural Valour and Resolution and that she might with more safety perform so long a Journey she put on such a Garment as whereby she could not be discern'd whether she were a Man or a Woman and so made that by it she both preserv'd her Beauty from being scorcht by the heat in her Journey and likewise was thereby more nimble and ready for any business she pleas'd to undertake being of her self a youthful and sprightly Lady and this sort of Garment was in so high esteem that the Medes afterwards when they came to be Lords of Asia wore Semiramis's Gown and the Persians likewise after them As soon as she came to Bactria and observ'd the manner of the Siege how Assaults were made only in open and plain Places most likely to be enter'd and that none dar'd to approach the Cittadel because of its natural Strength and Fortisication and that they within took more care to defend the lower and weaker parts of the Walls than the Castle where they neglected their Guards she took some with her that were skilful in climbing up the Rocks and with them with much Toyl pass'd over a deep Trench and possess'd her self of part of the Castle whereupon she gave a Signal to them that were assaulting the Wall upon the Plain Then they that were within the City being suddenly struck with a Panick Fear at the taking of the Castle in desperation of making any further defence forsook the Walls The City being taken in this manner the King greatly admir'd the Valour of the Woman and bountifully rewarded her and was presently so passionately affected at the sight of her Beauty that he us'd all the Arguments imaginable to persuade her Husband to bestow his Wife upon him promising him as a Reward of his Kindness to give him his Daughter Sosana in Marriage But he absolutely refus'd upon which the King threatn'd him that if he would not consent he would pluck out his Eyes Menon hereupon out of fear of the King's Threats and overpower'd with the Love of his Wife fell into a distracted Rage and Madness and forthwith hang'd himself And this was the occasion of the advancement of Semiramis to the Regal state and dignity Ninus having now possess'd himself of all the Treasures of Bactria where was abundance of Gold and Silver and settled his Affairs throughout the whole Province of Bactria return'd with his Army to his own Country Afterwards he had a Son by Semiramis call'd Ninyas and dy'd leaving his Wife Queen Regent She bury'd her Husband Ninus in the Royal Palace and rais'd over him a Mount of Earth of a wonderful bigness being Nine Furlongs in height and ten in breadth as Ctesias says So that the City standing in a Plain near to the River Euphrates the Mount many Furlongs off looks like a stately Cittadel And it 's said that it continues to this day though Ninâ—ve was destroy'd by the Medes when they ruin'd the Assyrian Empire Semiramis was naturally of an high aspiring Spirit ambitious to excel all her Predecessors in glorious Actions and Semiramis builds Babylon therefore imploy'd all her Thoughts about the building of a City in the Province of Babylon and to this end having provided Semiramis Reign'd Ann. Mund. 2006 Ant. Chr. 2944. Petavius says Abraham was born in the 24. h Year of her Reign lib. 1. c. 2. Architects Artists and all other Necessaries for the Work She got together Two Millions of Men out of all Parts of the Empire to be imploy'd in the building of the City It was so built as that the River Euphrates ran through the middle of it and she compass'd it round with a Wall of Three Hundred and Sixty Furlongs in Circuit and adorn'd with many stately Turrets and such was the state and grandeur of the Work that the Walls were of that breadth as that Six Chariots abreast might be driven together upon them Their height was such as exceeded all Mens belief that heard of it as Ctesias Cnidius relates But Clitarchus and those who afterwards went over with Alexander into Asia have written that the Walls were in Circuit Three Hundred Sixty Five Furlongs the Queen making them of that Compass to the end that the Furlongs should be as many in number as the Days of the Year They were of Brick cemented with * Bitumen Asphaltes Brimstone in height as Ctesias says Fifty †Orgya is 6 Foot so 50 Crgya's is 100 Yards Orgyas but as some of the later Writers report but Fifty Cubits only and that the Breadth was but a little more than what would allow two Chariots to be driven afront There were Two Hundred and Fifty Turrets in height and thickness proportionable to the largeness of the Wall It is not to be wondred at that there were so few Towers upon a Wall of so great a Circuit being that in many Places round the City there were deep Morasses so that it was judg'd to no purpose to raise Turrets there where they were so naturally fortify'd Between the Wall and the Houses there was a Space left round the City of Two Hundred Foot That the Work might be the more speedily dispatcht to each of her Friends was allotted a Furlong with an allowance of all Expences necessary for their several Parts and commanded all should be finish'd in a Years time which being diligently perfected with the Queen's Approbation she then made a Bridge over the narrowest part of the River Five Furlongs in length laying the Supports and Pillars of the Arches with great Art and Skill in the Bottom of the Water Twelve Foot distance from each other That the Stones might be the more firmly joyn'd they were bound together with Hooks of Iron and the Joints fill'd up with melted Lead And before the Pillars she made and placed Defences with sharp pointed Angles to receive the Water before it beat upon the flat sides of the Pillars which caus'd the Course of the Water to run round by degrees gently and moderately as far as to the broad sides of
the Pillars so that the sharp Points of the Angles cut the Stream and gave a check to its violence and the roundness of them by litâ—le and little giving way abated the force of the Current This Bridge was 〈◊〉 wiâ—h â—reat â—oices and Planks of Cedar Cypress and Palm Trees and was Thi 〈…〉 â—oot in breadth and for Art and Curiosity yielded to none of the Works o◠〈◊〉 On either side of the River she rais'd a Bank as broad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great cost drew it out in length an Hundred Furlongs She built likewise Two Palaces at each end of the Bridge upon the Bank of the River whence she might have a Prospect over the whole City and make her Passage as by Keys to the most convenient Places in it as she had occasion And whereas Euphrates runs through the middle of Babylon making its course to the South the Palaces lye the one on the East and the other on the West Side of the River both built at exceeding Costs and Expence For that on the West had an high and stately Wall made of well burnt Brick * 7 Miles and an half Sixty Furlongs in compass within this was drawn another of a round Circumference upon which were portray'd in the Bricks before they were burnt all sorts of living Creatures as if it were to the Life laid with great Art in curious Colours This Wall was in Circuit Forty Furlongs Three Hundred Bricks thick and in height as Ctesias says †50 Origia ' s. a Hundred Yards upon which were Turrets an Hundred and Forty Yards high The Third and most inward Wall immediately surrounded the Palace Thirty Furlongs in Compass and far surmounted the middle Wall both in height and thickness and on this Wall and the Towers were represented the Shapes of all sorts of Living Creatures artificially exprest in most lively Colours Especially was represented a General Hunting of all sorts of wild Beasts each Four Cubits high and upwards amongst these was to be seen Semiramis on Horseback striking a Leopard through with a Dart and next to her her Husband Ninus in close Fight with a Lion piercing him with his Lance. To this Palace she built likewise Three Gates under which were * Banqueting Houses Apartments of Brass for Entertainments into which Passages were open'd by by a certain Engin. This Palace far excell'd that on the other side of the River both in greatness and adornments For the outmost Wall of that made of well burnt Brick was but Thirty Furlongs in compass Instead of the curious Portrature of Beasts there were the Brazen Statues of Ninus and Semiramis the great Officers and of Jupiter whom the Babylonians call Belus and likewise Armies drawn up in Battalia and divers sorts of Hunting were there represented to the great diversion and pleasure of the Beholders After all these in a low Ground in Babylon she sunk a Place for a Pond Four-square every Square being †Almost 40 Miles Three Hundred Furlongs in length lin'd with Brick and cemented with Brimstone and the whole Five and Thirty Foot in depth Into this having first turn'd the River she then made a Passage in nature of a Vault from one Palace to another A Passage made under Water from one Palace to another whose Arches were built of firm and strong Brick and plaister'd all over on both sides with Bitumen Four Cubits thick The Walls of this Vault were Twenty Bricks in thickness and Twelve Foot high beside and above the Arches and the breadth was Fifteen Foot This Piece of Work being finish'd in Two Hundred and Sixty Days the River was turn'd into its ancient Channel again so that the River flowing over the whole Work Semiramis could go from one Palace to the other without passing over the River She made likewise Two Brazen Gates at either end of the Vault which continu'd to the time of the Persian Empire In the middle of the City she built a Temple to Jupiter whom the Babylonians Jupiter's Temple call Belus as we have before said of which since Writers differ amongst themselves and the Work is now wholly decay'd through length of Time there 's nothing that can certainly be related concerning it Yet it 's apparent it was of an exceeding great height and that by the advantage of it the Chaldean Astrologers exactly observ'd the setting and rising of the Stars The whole was built of Brick cemented with Brimstone with great Art and Cost Upon the top she plac'd Three Statues of beaten Gold of Jupiter Juno and Rhea That of Jupiter stood upright in the posture as if he were walking he was Forty Foot in height and weighed a Thousand Babylonish Talents The Statue of Rhea was of the same weight sitting on a Golden Throne having Two Lions standing on either side one at her Knees and near to them Two exceeding great Serpents of Silver weighing Thirty Talents apiece Here likewise the Image of Juno stood upright and weighed Eight Hundred Talents grasping a Serpent by the Head in her right Hand and holding a Scepter adorn'd with precious Stones in her left For all these Deities there was plac'd a * Or Altar Common Table made of beaten Gold Forty Foot long and Fifteen broad weighing Five Hundred Talents Upon which stood Two Cups weighing Thirty Talents and near to them as many Censers weighing Three Hundred Talents There were there likewise plac'd Three Drinking Bowls of Gold one of which dedicated to Jupiter weigh'd Twelve Hundred Babylonish Talents but the other Two Six Hundred apiece but all those the Persian Kings sacrilegiously carry'd away And length of Time has either altogether consum'd or much defac'd the Palaces and the other Structures so that at this day but a small part of this Babylon is inhabited and the greatest part which lay within the Walls is turn'd into Tillage and Pasture There was likewise a Hanging Garden as it 's call'd near the Citadel not See Qu Curtius lib. 5. Sect. 1. built by Semiramis but by a later Prince call'd Cyrus for the sake of a Curtesan who being a Persian as they say by Birth and coveting Meadows on Mountain Tops desir'd the King by an Artificial Plantation to imitate the Land in Persia This Garden was Four Hundred Foot Square and the Ascent up to it was as to the Top of a Mountain and had Buildings and Apartments out of one into another like unto a Theater Under the Steps to the Ascent were built Arches one above another rising gently by degrees which supported the whole Plantation The highest Arch upon which the Platform of the Garden was laid was Fifty Cubits high and the Garden it self was surrounded with Battlements and Bulwarks The Walls were made very strong built at no small Charge and Expence being Two and Twenty Foot thick and every Sally-port Ten Foot wide Over the several Stories of this Fabrick were laid Beams and Summers of huge Massy Stones each Sixteen Foot long and Four
to such as should kill Belesis or take him alive But none being wrought upon by these Promises he fought them again and destroy'd many of the Rebels and forc'd the rest to fly to their Camp upon the Hills Arbaces being disheartn'd with these Misfortunes call'd a Council of War to consider what was sit further to be done The greater part were for returning into their own Countries and possess themselves of the strongest Places in order to fit and furnish themselves with all things further necessary for the War But when Belesis the Babylonian assur'd them that the Gods promis'd that after many Toyls and Labours they should have good Success and all should end well and had us'd several other Arguments such as he thought best he prevail'd with them to resolve to run through all the hazards of the War Another Battle therefore was fought wherein the King gain'd a third Victory and pursu'd the Revolters as far as to the Mountains of Babylon In this Fight Arbaces himself was wounded though he fought stoutly and slew many of the Assyrians with his own Hand After so many Defeats and Misfortunes one upon the neck of another the Conspirators altogether despair'd of Victory and therefore the Commanders resolv'd every one to return to their own Country But Belesis who lay all that Night Star-gazing in the open Field prognosticated to them the next day that if they would but continue together Five Days unexpected Help would come and they would see a mighty change and that Affairs would have a contrary aspect to what they then had for he affirm'd that through his Knowledge in Astrology he understood that the Gods portended so much by the Stars therefore he intreated them to stay so many days and make trial of his Art and wait so long to have an Experiment of the Goodness of the Gods All being thus brought back and waiting till the time appointed News on a sudden was brought that mighty Forces were at hand sent to the King out of Bactria Hereupon Arbacâ—s resolv'd with the stoutest and swiftest Soldiers of the Army forthwith to make out against the Captains that were advancing and either by fair words to perswade them to a defection or by Blows to force them to join with them in their Design But Liberty being sweet to every one of them first the Captains and Commanders were easily wrought upon and presently after the whole Army join'd and made up one intire Camp together It happen'd at that time that the King of Assyria not knowing any thing of the Revolt of the Bactrians and puft up by his former Successes was indulging his Sloath and Idleness and preparing Beasts for Sacrifice plenty of Wine and other things necessary in order to feast and entertain his Soldiers While his whole Army was now feasting and revelling Arbaces receiving intelligence by some Deserters of the Security and Intemperance of the Enemy fell in upon them on the sudden in the Night and being in due order and discipline and setting upon such as were in confusion he being before prepar'd and the other altogether unprovided they easily broke into their Camp and made a great Slaughter of some forcing the rest into the City Hereupon Sardanapalus committed the charge of the whole Army to Salemenus his Wife's Brother and took upon himself the defence of the City But the Rebels twice defeated the King's Forces once in the open Field and the Second time before the Walls of the City in which last ingagement Salemenus was kill'd and almost all his Army lost some being cut off in the pursuit and the rest save a very few being intercepted and prevented from entring into the City were driven headlong into the River Euphrates and the number of the Slain was so great that the River was dy'd over with Blood and retain'd that Colour for a great distance and a long course together The King being afterwards besieg'd many of the Nations through desire of Liberty revolted to the Confederates so that Sardanapalus now perceiving that the Kingdom was like to be lost sent away his Three Sons and Two Daughters with a great deal of Treasure into Paphlagonia to Cotta the Governor there his most intire Friend and sent Posts into all the Provinces of the Kingdom in order to raise Souldiers and make all other Preparations necessary to indure a Siege And he was the more incouraged to this for that he was acquainted with an ancient Prophesy That Nineve could never be taken by force till the River became the City's Enemy which the more incourag'd him to hold out because he conceiv'd that was never like to be therefore he resolv'd to indure the Siege till the Aids which he expected out of the Provinces came up to him The Enemy on the other hand grown more couragious by their Successes eagerly urg'd on the Siege but made little impression on the Besieg'd by reason of the strength of the Walls for Ballistes to cast Stones Testudos to cast up Mounts and Battering Rams were not known in those Ages And besides to say truth the King had been very careful as to what concern'd the defence of the place plentifully to furnish the Inhabitants with every thing necessary The Siege continu'd Two Years during which time nothing was done to any purpose save that the Walls were sometimes assaulted and the Besieg'd pen'd up in the City The Third Year it happened that Euphrates overflowing with continual Rains came up into a part of the City and tore down the Wall Twenty Furlongs in length The King hereupon conceiving that the Oracle was accomplish'd in that the River was an apparent Enemy to the City utterly despair'd and therefore that he might not fall into the Hands of his Enemies he caus'd a huge Pile of Wood to be made in his Palace Court and heapt together upon it all his Gold Silver and Royal Apparel and enclosing his Eunuchs and Concubines in an Apartment within the Pile caus'd it to be set on Fire and burnt himself and them together which when the Revolters came to understand they enter'd through the Breach of the Walls and took the City and cloath'd Arbaces with a Royal Robe and committed to him the sole Authority proclaiming him King When he had rewarded his Followers every one according to their demerit and appointed Governors over the several Provinces Belesis the Babylonian who had foretold his advancement to the Throne put him in mind of his Services and demanded the Government of Babylon which he had before promis'd him He told him likewise of a Vow that he himself had made to Belus in the heat of the War that when Sardanapalus was conquer'd and the Palace consum'd he would carry the Ashes to Babylon and there raise a Mount near to his Temple which should be an eternal Monument to all that sail'd through Euphrates in memory of him that overturn'd the Assyrian Empire But that which in truth induc'd him to make this Request was that he
to Bacchus and left them in his Cave and afterwards falling in love with Cybele wandred up and down with her as far as to the †Hyperborean signifies very far North by which the Ancients use to express the furthest Parts of the World Hyperborean Mountains And whereas there was a Plague and Famine in Phrygia the Phrygians inquir'd at the * Of Apollo at Delphos Oracle how they should be freed from the Calamity they lay under It 's said the God commanded them to bury Attis and adore Cybele as a Goddess The Phrygians therefore because they could not find any part of his Body through length of time since he was kill'd made a Statue for him which they follow'd as to his Burial with Howling Lamentations and other honourable Ceremonies proper for his Funeral and so made an Attonement for their former Offence which Solemnity they constantly observe to this very Day and offer Yearly Sacrifices to Cybele who formerly erected Altars to the Gods there In honour of this Cybele they built a magnificent Temple in Pesinunte a City of Phrygia and instituted solemn Sacrifices and Divine Worship to her which Work was advanc'd by the assistance of King Midas They Plac'd Leopards and Lions standing by the Statue of the Goddess because it was generally believ'd she was nurs'd up by them And these are the things which the Phrygians and the Atlantides the Inhabitants of the Coasts bordering on the Ocean do report of this Mother of the Gods After the Death of Hyperion they report that the Children of * Coelus divided †Vranus the Kingdom amongst themselves amongst whom Atlas and Saturn were the most renown'd The Country bordering upon the Ocean fell by lot upon Atlas who call'd the People there Atlantides and the greatest Mountain in the World Atlas after his own Name They say that he was an excellent Astrologer and was the first that discover'd the Knowledge of the Sphere whence rose the common Opinion that he carry'd the World upon his Shoulders noting by this Fancy his Invention and Description of the Sphere The most eminent among his many Sons was Hesperus for Piety towards the Gods and Justice and Kindness towards his Subjects Being upon the Top of Mount Atlas to observe the motion of the Stars he suddainly vanisht in a Tempest The People hereupon much lamenting the loss of him that they might for ever honour him call'd the Brightest * Hesperus the Morning Star Star in the Heavens after his Name Atlas likewise had Seven Daughters who were all call'd after their Father's Name Atlantides but their several proper Names were Maia Electra Taygeta Asterope Merope Halcyone and Celaeno All these were got with Child by several Heroick Princes and even by some of the Gods themselves and bore divers Sons who were the first Ancestors of several Nations and for their virtuous Qualifications were afterwards call'd Gods and Demy-Gods So Maia the Eldest was got with Child by Jupiter and bore Mercury the Inventor of many Arts and Sciences for the use of Mankind All the rest likewise had Sons who were famous in their Times some of which gave beginning to whole Nations others to some particular Cities and therefore not only some of the Barbarians but likewise some among the Greeks refer P. 136. the Original of many of the ancient Heroes to these Daughters of Atlas for they were in great Reputation for Wisdom and Justice and therefore when they were Dead were ador'd as Goddesses and fixt in the Constellation of the * The Seven Stars Pleiades Nymphs were commonly call'd Atlantides because Nymphs is a general Term in this Country apply'd to all Women They say that Saturn the Brother of Atlas was extraordinary Prophane and Covetous and Marrying his Sister Rhea he begat Jupiter afterwards surnam'd Olympus There was another Jupiter the Brother of Coelus and King of Crete but much inferior for Glory and Renown to the later For this later was Lord of the World but the ancient Jupiter was only King of the Island before-nam'd and had Ten Sons whom they call'd Curetes and call'd the Island Ida after the Name of his Wife where he himself was buried the Remains of whose Sepulcher are to be seen at this Day However the Cretians relate several Stories of these Jupiters of whom we shall write distinctly when we come to their History Saturn reign'd they say over Sicily Africa and Italy and inlarg'd his Dominion over all the Western Parts of the World and by Garrisons and strong Forts plac'd in convenient Places kept his Subjects every where within the Bounds of their Duty And hence it is that at this very Day in the Western Parts of Sicily the high Mounts that are to be seen here and there are call'd †Saturn ' s Castles Jupiter Cronia Jupiter they say was the Sun of Saturn who contrary to what his Father did before him carry'd himself justly and courteously toward all and therefore he was call'd Father by all his Subjects He succeeded in the Kingdom either as given up to him by his Father or set upon the Throne by his Subjects out of hatred to his Father And though Saturn afterwards by the help of the Titans made War upon his Son yet Jupiter overcame him in a Battel and so gain'd the Kingdom And afterwards he ran through the whole World doing good to all Mankind And because he was of a strong Body and endowed with all virtuous Qualifications of Mind he easily conquer'd the whole World He chiefly made it his Business to punish the Impious and to do good to all his People And therefore after he left the World he was call'd * Zeus Zena from Life because he was the first that taught Men to live well And therefore they of whom he had deserv'd well rewarded him with this Honour that he was unanimously by all placed in the highest Heavens and call'd a God and Supream Lord of all the Earth And this is the full Account distinctly related of all the Gods mention'd and recorded by the Atlantides And for as much as before in the account we gave of the Egyptian Antiquities we came in the Course of the general History to the Genealogy of Bacchus whom B 〈…〉 s. the Greeks call Dionysius and his Acts We conceive it sit here to add what the Grecians have delivered to Posterity concerning this God But in regard the ancient Fabulous Historians and Poets have given different Accounts of Bacchus and have related many monstrous Stories it 's very difficult to set forth truly his Genealogy and Acts. For some say there was but one †Bacchus Dionysius others that there were Three But some say there never was any such Man but conceive that Wine is to be taken for Dionysius We shall therefore in short run over distinctly what is said by every one of them The Naturalists who speak of this God and call Wine Bacchus say that the Earth amongst
his choicest and most beloved Friends so that Rhea lov'd him all her Life long as dearly as her own Son but the love of Saturn was deceitful About this time Saturn and Rhea had a Son born call'd Jupiter who was advanc'd to many Places of Honour by Dionysus and afterwards became King upon the account of his Virtuous Qualifications The Africans had inform'd Dionysus before the Fight that Ammon at the time he was driven out of his Kingdom foretold that after a certain time his Son Dionysus would recover his Father's Kingdom and that he should inlarge his Dominion over the whole World and should be ador'd as a God Dionysus hereupon concluding that the Prophesie would certainly take effect he built a Temple and a City to his Father and having order'd him to be worshipt as a God constituted Priests for the Oracle It 's reported that Ammon was portray'd with a Ram's Head because he always wore an Helmet in the Wars of that shape There are some that * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fabulously report report he had Horns naturally growing out at his Temples and hence it is that his Son Dionysus is represented in the same manner and modern Authors do deliver it as a most certain Truth That this God was Horn'd When he had built the City and setled the Oracle they say he first consulted with this new God concerning his intended Expeditions and that his Father answer'd him that by doing good to all Mankind he should attain to an Estate of Immortality Being thus incourag'd he first invaded Egypt and made Jupiter the Son of Saturn and Rhea King of the Country though he was but then a Boy But appointed Olympus his Assistant and Tutor by whose Instructions he attain'd to a high degree of Virtue and noble Endowments and thence was call'd Jupiter Olympus Dionysus was said to have taught the Egyptians the manner of planting and use of the Vine and to keep and store up Wine †Acorns or Crabbs Apples and other Fruits His Fame was now so nois'd abroad in every Place that none durst oppose him but all submitted of their own accord and with Praises and Sacrifices ador'd him as a God Passing thus they say through the whole World he planted and improv'd the Countries all along as he went and by his good Acts oblig'd all Mankind to a grateful remembrance by rendring him immortal Honour And whereas all Men have divers Sentiments of the rest of the Gods yet they all agree in the Immortality of Bacchus For there 's neither Greek nor Barbarian but have tasted of his Grace and Bounty yea even those that inhabit the most barren Countries altogether unfit for the Planting of Vines learnt of him how to make Drink of Barly little inferior for deliciousness of Taste to Wine Beer They say moreover that Dionysus with a swift March hasted out of India to the * The Mediterranean Sea and there found the Titanes passing over with great Forces into Crete against Ammon And whereas Jupiter in the mean time had brought over Forces out of Egypt to the assistance of Ammon and a great War was broke out in that Island Dionysus forthwith together with Minerva and others reputed to be Gods transported Aids to them in Crete Hereupon was fought a great Battel wherein the Dionysans were Victors and the Titanes were every Man cut P. 145. off After Ammon and Bacchus were translated to a state of Immortality and all the Titanes now utterly extinct Jupiter became Lord of the Universe none daring to be so impious as to oppose him These are the things which the Libyans say were done by the first Bacchus the Son of Ammon and Amalthea The Second Bacchus they say was Son of Jupiter by Io the Daughter of Inachus and reign'd in Egypt and there taught the manner of divine Worship and Sacrifices The Third was the Issue of Jupiter and Semele and was among the Grecians a Rival of the other Two before mention'd For making it his business to imitate them he likewise with a great Army marcht through the whole World and set up many Pillars at the utmost Bounds of his several Expeditions and planted and improv'd likewise the Countries as he went And as the ancient Bacchus listed the Amazons into his Army so did this other Women He took likewise much care and pains about the Orgia and Sacred Rites and Ceremonies some of which he reform'd and added others But because of the length of time the first Invention and finding out of things is unknown to many this last Bacchus only inherits the Glory and Reputation belonging to the former which Misfortune not only befell him but Hercules after him For whereas there was anciently Two of the same Name one of them and the more ancient is said to have flourish'd in Egpyt who having overcome a great part of the World erected a Pillar in Africa The other was born in Crete and was one of the Idaei Dactyli he was a Jugler but likewise a good Soldier and instituted the Olympick Games The last was the Son of Jupiter by Alcmena born a little before the Trojan War He travel'd through many Parts of the World to execute the Commands of Euristheus and succeeded in all his Enterprizes he erected a Pillar in Europe His Name being the same and his Actions much like to those of the former was the occasion that what things were done by the ancient Hercules's after their Deaths were by Posterity solely ascrib'd to him as if there had been never any but one Hercules in the World Amongst other evident Proofs that there were more than one Dionysus or Bacchus this very Fight of the Titanes does make it clear For it 's generally acknowledg'd that Dionysus was with Jupiter in the War against the Titanes and they say that it is an absurd and undecent thing to account Semele Contemporary with the Titanes and to affirm that Cadmus the Son of Agenor was more ancient than the * The Gods of Olympus Celestial Gods And these are the things which the Lybians relate of Bacchus Thus having now perform'd our Promise made at the beginning we shall here put an end to this Third Book THE Historical Library OF Diodorus the Sicilian BOOK IV. The PREFACE I Am not ignorant that the Writers of Antiquities in many things fall short of the truth in their Relations For being that ancient things are as it were scrap'd out of the Rubbish with very great difficulty they greatly perplex the Historian And because the Supputation of Times wherein things were done cannot now be so exact as to infer an Infallible Argument for the truth of the Actions related therefore it is that the Reader despises the Authors of the History And the multitude and variety of the Gods Demy-Gods and other Famous Men whose Genealogies are to be treated of add much more to the difficulty And the greatest vexation of all is that the Writers of Antiquities
amorous Pang of Love as with other Women but meerly for Procreation sake And therefore willing that his Embraces at this time should be lawful he forbore all Violence and knowing that the Woman's Chastity was such that no Arguments would prevail with her he deceiv'd her by taking upon him the Shape of Amphitryo And now the Time of her Delivery drew nigh when Jupiter full of thoughts concerning the Birth of Hercules in the presence of all the Gods declar'd that he would make him King of the Persians who was to be born that P. 152. that day Whereupon Juno inrag'd with Jealousie with the assistance of * Ilithyia a Goddess assistant to them in Travel Ilithyia her Daughter gave a Check to the delivery of Alcmenes and brought forth Eurystheus before his full time But though Jupiter was thus outwitted by Juno yet that he might perform his Promise he took care to preserve the Honour and Reputation of Hercules And therefore it s reported that he prevail'd with Juno to consent that Eurystheus being made King according to his Promise Hercules who should be subject to him performing Twelve Labours such as Euristheus should impose upon him should be taken into the Society of the Immortal Gods Alcmenes being deliver'd out of fear of Juno's Jealousie expos'd the Child in a place which is now from him call'd Hercules's his Field About which time Minerva together with Juno walking Abroad found the Infant and much admiring his Beauty Minerva persuaded Juno to give it suck The Child drawing the Breast with more violence than at his Age was usual Juno not able to indure the pain cast away the Infant whom Minerva took up and brought Home to his Mother to be nurs'd by her The Accident here seems very strange and remarkable For the Mother who ow'd a natural Affection to her own Child expos'd him to Destruction but she who hated him as a Stepmother unknowingly preserv'd her natural Enemy Afterwards Juno sent two * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two Dragons Serpents to devour the Child But he took them with both his Hands by their Throats and strangl'd them Upon which account the Argives coming to understand what was done call'd him Hercules * Hercules signifies the Glory of Juno who is call'd in Greek Hera because Juno was the Occasion of his Glory and Fame for he was before call'd Alcaeus Others are nam'd by their Parents but he gain'd his Name by his Valour In After-times it happen'd that Amphitrio being banish'd from Tyrinthe settl'd himself in Thebes here Hercules was educated here he was instructed and greatly improv'd in all laudable Exercises in so much as he excell'd all others in Strength of Body and also in the excellent Endowments of his Mind Being now grown up to Man's Estate he first freed Thebes from tyrannical Slavery and thereby made a grateful Return to the Country where he was bred The Thebans at that time were under the Tyranny of Erginus King of the * A People of Thessaly Menyans who every year exacted Tribute from them not without Scorn and Contempt Hercules therefore not at all discourag'd with the Greatness of the Bondage they labour'd under attempted a glorious Piece of Service For when those who were sent from the Menyae to collect the Tribute carry'd it * insolently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 towards the People he cut off their Ears and cast them out of the City whereupon Erginus demanded the Delivery up of the Malefactor and Creon the Prince of Thebes dreading the Potency of Erginus resolv'd to deliver him up But Hercules stirr'd up the young Men of the City to arm themselves in order to recover the Liberty of their Country and to that end took away all the Arms that were in the Temples formerly dedicated to the Gods by their Ancestors of the Spoyls of their Enemies For none of the Citizens had any Arms of their own by Reason the Menyans had disarm'd the City so that the Thebans had not the least Thought of a Revolt Intelligence being brought that Erginus with an Army approach'd the City Hercules set upon him in a strait Passage where a Multitude was of little Use and kill'd Erginus and cut off almost his whole Army He fell likewise suddainly upon the City of the Orchomenians entring unexpectedly and burnt the Palace of the Menyae and raz'd the City to the Ground The Fame of this notable Exploit was presently nois'd over all Greece while such a suddain and unexpected Atchievement was the Subject of every Man's Admiration and Creon the King wonderfully taken with the Valour of the young Man gave him his Daughter Megaera to Wife and committed to him the Care and Charge of the City as if he had been his own Son But Euristheus King of Argos jealous of Hercules his growing Greatness sent P. 15◠for him to perform the Labours he was to impose upon him which he refusing Jupiter commanded him to obey King Euristheus whereupon Hercules went to Delphos and inquir'd of the Oracle concerning this Matter who answer'd him That it was the Pleasure of the Gods that he should perform twelve Labours at the Command of Euristheus and that when he had finish'd them he should receive the Reward of Immortality Hereupon Hercules became exceeding sad and melancholy for he judg'd it very much below him to be at the Beck of his inferior and to disobey his Father Jupiter a second time he concluded was both unprofitable and impossible While he was in this Perplexity Juno struck him with Madness being therefore through the Discomposure of his Mind become distracted and by the Growth of his Distemper altogether a mad Man he design'd to murder Iolaus who saving himself by Flight he fell upon his own Children by Megara who were next in his Way and struck them through with his Darts as if they had been his Enemies As soon as he came again to himself and understood his Error he almost sunk under the Weight of his Misery being pity'd by every Body and shut up himself in his own House a long time from the Converse and Society of Men. At length Time moderating his Grief resolving to undergo all the Difficulties that were enjoyn'd him he went to Euristheus who in the first place commanded Hercules his 12 Labours 1. The Nemean Lyon him to kill the Lyon in the Forest of * This Forest was in Achaia Nemea which was of a monstrous Bigness not to be pierc'd or wounded by Sword Spear or Stones and therefore not to be dealt with but by meer Force and Strength of Hand His Walks were commonly between Mycenas and Nemea near the Mountain from what happen'd to it call'd †Tretos bor'd through Tretos For at the Foot of this Hill there was a Den in which this Monster us'd to lurk Hercules here meeting with him lay'd hold on him whereupon the Beast beginning to fly to his Den he resolutely pursu'd him having before stop'd
first taken from her her Belt After this a Tenth Labour was impos'd upon him by Eurystheus and that 10 Gâ—ryon's Oxen. was to drive away the Oxen of Geryon that pastur'd in Iberia near to the Ocean Hercules perceiving he could not perform this Task without much trouble and great preparation set forth a brave Fleet and mann'd it with such a number of Seamen and Souldiers as such an Expedition justly requir'd For it was nois'd Abroad through the whole World that Chrysaores so call'd from his Riches King of †Spain Iberia had * Of whom this Geryon was one whom the Poets feign to have Three Bodies Three Sons strong Bodied Men and famous for Martial Affairs and that each of them had great Armies of Valiant Men constantly at hand attending upon them which was the reason Euristheus impos'd this Task upon him conceiving this Expedition was greater than he was ever able to perform But Hercules undertook this with as much considence as he had done those before and commanded Forces to be rais'd in Crete whence he resolv'd to set forth this Island being P. 157. the most convenient Port from whence to make any Expedition into any part of the World Before he set Sail mighty Honours were conferr'd upon him by the Inhabitants in grateful return of which Favours he freed the Island from wild Beasts so that no hurtful Creatures such as Bears Wolves Serpents and such like remain'd there ever after He did these things in reverence to the Island because it was reported that Jupiter was bred and born there Loosing thence he arriv'd at Libya Here in the first place he challeng'd and slew Antaeus famous for his great strength and skill in Wrestling who was us'd to kill the Strangers he wrestled with after he had master'd them Then he destroy'd the wild Beasts in the Deserts and made Africa so quiet and improvable which was before full of hurtful Creatures that every part was fit for Tillage and planting of Fruit-Trees the whole Country productive of Wine and Oyl In short he so improv'd Libya which by reason of the multitude of wild Beasts was before uninhabitable that no Country in the World afterwards exceeded it for fertility and richness of Soyl. In like manner he so purg'd the Nation from wicked Men and insolent Tyrants that he put all the Cities into a flourishing state and condition It 's therefore reported that he was prosecuted with the hatred and opposition of all sorts of dreadful wild Beasts and of wicked Men for when he was an Infant in his Cradle he was assaulted by Serpents and when he was a Man he was vext and perplext with the Commands of a proud and unjust Tyrant After the Killing of Antaeus he went into Egypt where he slew the Tyrant Busiris who murder'd all Strangers that landed there After he had pass'd over the Sandy Deserts of Libya he found a fertil and well water'd Country in which he built an extraordinary great City from the number of its Gates call'd * Hecatompylon a Hundred Gates Hecatompylon which continu'd in a flourishing Condition till of latter Times that the Carthaginians with a great Army commanded by Eminent Captains took it Hercules having pass'd through a great part of Africa arriv'd †Or in the straits near Cadiz in the Ocean near Gades where he erected Two Pillars one on each side the straight upon the Continent Thence with his Fleet sailing along with him he pass'd over into * Spain Iberia where he found the Sons of Chrysaores with Three mighty Armies These at a distance he challeng'd to a single Combat and having at length slain the Three Generals he gain'd Iberia and drove away those remarkable Herds of Cattel In the mean time as he travell'd through Spain he was magnificently entertain'd by a petit Prince in the Country who was a Pious and Just Man in return of which he bestow'd upon him some of the Cattel and he again consecrated them all to Hercules and every Year sacrific'd to him one of the fairest Bulls that were bred of them some of which Sacred Breed remain in Iberia to this Day And now because we have before made mention of Hercules Pillars we conceive Hercules's Pillars it fit in this Place to say something further concerning them Hercules when he arriv'd at the utmost Coasts of both Continents adjoining to the Ocean resolv'd to set up these Pillars as lasting Monuments of his Expedition That his Work therefore might be famous to all Posterity it 's said that he much inlarg'd both the Mountains on each side by making great Moulds for a long way into the Sea so that whereas before they lay in the Sea at a great distance one from another he made the Passage so narrow that the great Whales from that time could not pass out of the Ocean through those Streights into the Mediterranean and by the greatness of the Work the Glory of the Workman is P. 158. preserv'd in everlasting remembrance But there are some of a contrary Opinion and affirm that the Continents once join'd together and that he cut a Trench through them whereby he open'd a Passage and so brought the Ocean into our Sea But every Man may judge of this matter as he thinks fit The like he did before in Greece For when the large Champain Country about Tempe was all over a standing Lake he cut Sluces through the lower Grounds and through those Trenches drain'd all the Water out of the Lake by which means were gain'd all those pleasant Fields of Thessaly as far as to the River Penaeus But in Beotia he did quite contrary for he caus'd the River which ran through the Country of the Minyae to overflow the whole Region and turn all into a standing Pool What he did in Thessaly was to gain the favour of the Grecians but that in Beotia he did to punish the Minyae because they opprest the Thebans Hercules having committed the Government of the Kingdom of Iberia to the chiefest of the Inhabitants marcht away with his Army into †France Celtica and over 〈…〉 n the whole Country and put an end to their usual Impieties and Murdering of Strangers And whereas a vast multitude from all Nations came and listed themselves of their own accord in his Army having such a number he built a Famous large City which he call'd from his wandering Expedition * Or Alexia Arras Alesia But because many of the Barbarians from the neigbouring Places were mixt among the Citizens it happened that the rest of the Inhabitants being much inferior in number learnt the Barbarians Manners of the other The Celtae at this Day have a great esteem and honour for this City as being the chief and Metropolis of all Gaul and ever since the time of Hercules it has remain'd Free never taken by any to our very days till at length Caius Caesar who by reason of the greatness of his actions
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But Hercules my Father as is said The Lions strong in Valour did exceed That only with Six Ships and Slender Force For Laomedon's Horses took his Course And then Besieg'd and took the City Troy And many of her People did destroy From Troy the Argonauts arriv'd at Samothracia and then again gave Thanks to the Gods where they dedicated their Drink-Offering Bowls and left them in the Temple which remain there at this Day The return of the Heroes was not yet known but the common Report was throughout all Thessaly that Jason and all his Companions were destroy'd some where or other about Pontus Pelias therefore now thinking it a fit opportunity to cut off all that might in any probability seem to affect the Kingdom compell'd Jason's Father to drink 〈…〉 ls Blood and Murdered his Brother Promachus who was then but a meer Child But when Amphinome his Mother was sought for to be butchered she acted the part of a manlike and noble Spirit worthy of remark for running to the King's Palace she pour'd out most heavy Curses upon his Head wishing that due Vengeance might overtake him for his Impiety and then immediately stab'd her self and so like an Hero ended her Days Pelias having thus extinguish'd Jason's whole Family in a short time after paid for it and receiv'd the due Reward of his Wickedness For Jason in the Night entring a Port of Thessaly not far from the City Iolcos yet out of view of the Inhabitants was by one inform'd of the sad state and condition of his Family and thereupon all the Heroes were in a readiness to assist Jason and to undergo all hazards for that purpose but there arose some difference of Opinions amongst them for some were for surprizing the King with a suddain Assault others were for the Raising of Forces out of every Country and so to join against him in a common War For it was impossible for Three and Forty Men to think to overcome so Potent a Prince both as to his Riches and the number of his Cities In these different Councils it s said that Medea promis'd to kill the King by a Stratagem and deliver up the Palace into their Hands without any hazard to any of them The Heroes wondring at what she said askt how she would accomplish it Who answer'd that she had great variety of Poysons of admirable strength and efficacy some of them found out by her Mother Hecate and others by her Sister Cerces that she had not as yet made use of them for the killing of any Man but now by the help of them she would execute due and deserved Punishment upon the wicked Wretches and told the Argonauts her whole Design after what manner she would get to the King and promis'd that from some Turret in the Palace that look'd towards the Sea she would give a Sign to their Watch by Fire in the Night and by Smoke in the Day Hereupon she provided a Hollow Image of the Goddess Diana in which she hid several sorts of Poysons and anointed her Hair with a sort of Oyntment which turn'd it all gray and hoary and with the same Ointment wrinkl'd up her Face and her whole Body so that she look'd like an old wither'd Hagg. Then taking the Goddess with her order'd in all respects so as to excite the common People to a superstitious Adoration she enter'd the City when it was light whereupon the People came running in to her from all Quarters as if she had been an inspir'd Priestess And she her self commanded every Body to bear a reverend regard to the Goddess who was now by the special Providence of the P. 177. Gods come to them from the Hyperboreans for the Preservation of the King and the whole City All being now imploy'd up and down in adoring the Goddess and preparing of Sacrifices in honour of her the whole City was possess'd with such a Fanatical Fury of Superstition that Medea â—â—ily procur'd her self to be brought into the Palace where with her Delusions she infatuated both 〈◊〉 his Daughters with such a Pang of Superstition that they all believ'd the Goddess was come to load the King's House with all manner of Blessings for 〈…〉 declar'd that Diana in a Chariot drawn through the Air by Dragons had 〈…〉 over many Parts of the World and had now at length made choice of the K 〈…〉 as the most Pious Prince to settle her Image and establish her worship 〈…〉 ever adding that she was commanded by the application of 〈…〉 to give a Check to his Old Age and restore him to his former Youth and 〈…〉 and bestow many other Blessings upon him that might make hiâ— Life comfort 〈…〉 to himself and pleasing unto the Goddess The King being amaz'd at this strange and unusual Discourse she promis'd him forthwith to give an assurance of the truth of what she said by 〈…〉 in her own Body To this end therefore she order'd one of 〈◊〉 his 〈…〉 ters to bring her some Spring-Water which being done she shut up her self in a little Room and bathing her Body all over in the Water she cleans'd her self of the Ointment and so being restor'd to her former Vigour as soon as she came into the King's Presence all the Beholders were amaz'd for they conceited that an Old Woman was transforw'd into a Youthful and Beautiful Virgin by the power and providence of the Gods She forthwith likewise by her Witchcraft caus'd the appearance of the shape of the Dragons to appear by which the 〈…〉 dess was drawn through the Air from the Hyperborcans to continue as a Guest with Pelias These things done by her being lookt upon to be above the Course of Nature the King highly honour'd her and believ'd all she said to be true and it 's said that he took his Daughter 's aside and order'd them to assist her and do whatever she commanded and that it was fitter his own Children should apply Medicines to his Body than Servants in order to reap the Benefits design'd him by the Favour of the Gods Pelias therefore having expresly commanded that his Daughters should observe whatever Medea order'd to be done in reference to the care of their Father's Body were ready in all things to obey her About Midnight therefore when Pelias was fast asleep she said it was absolutely necessary that his Body should be boil'd in a Cauldron And though the young Ladies easily and readily of their own accord prepar'd themselves to obey her yet she apply'd her self to another Experiment for the gaining of further Credit to what she said There was an old Ram bred up in the Stall which she told the young Ladies she would first Boil and then it should come forth a Lamb. Whereupon they agreed and then it 's said she cut the Ram into small Pieces and boil'd them till to their seeming by the use of her inchanted Drugs she brought forth a
young Lamb out of the Kettle to the admiration and astonishment of the young Women who now thinking they might with great assurance depend upon what she promis'd resolv'd to observe her in all her Commands and all of them but Alcetis who out of a pious and natural Affection to her Father would not lay Hands upon him cudgell'd him to Death Whereupon Medea pretended that Vows and Prayers were first to be made to the Moon before his Body was dissected and cast into the Cauldron To which end she carried the Young Ladies with Torches and Fire-brands to the top of the highest part of the Palace where Medea to spin out time mumbled out a long Prayer P. 178. in the language of Colchis that the Argonauts might make the Assault in the mean time who now seeing the Fire from the Turret concluded the King was dispatch'd and therefore in a Body they made hastily to the City where presently mounting over the Walls they enter'd the Palace with their drawn Swords and kill'd the Watch that oppos'd them As soon as Pelias his Daughters were come down to boil their Father unexpectedly seeing Jason with the rest of the Noble Youths his Companions enter'd into the midst of the Palace they grievously cry'd out with exceeding sorrow and lamentation Having now neither power to revenge themselves upon Medea nor time to purge themselves from the horrid fact that by her Delusions they had committed they had forthwith murder'd themselves if Jason pitying their miserable Condition had not prevented them and comforted them with this Consideration that their present Misery was not occasion'd by their own malitious Contrivance but that they were without any Fault of theirs led aside by the deceit of another He promis'd them likewise that their whole family should be civilly and honourably us'd Having therefore call'd together a General Assembly he excus'd what was done and declar'd that he had dealt far more gently with the Authors of those Injuries than they deserv'd and what he had done was far short of what he and his had suffer'd Then he plac'd Acastus the Eldest Son of Pelias upon his Father's Throne and carry'd himself with all due respect to the King's Daughters and in performance of what he had promis'd it 's said he at length marry'd them to the greatest Persons of Quality Alcestis the Eldest he marry'd to Admetus the Thessalian the Son of Pheretes Amphinome to Andraemon the Brother of Leonteus and Eradne to Canas the Prince of Phocis the Son of Cephalus And these were the things afterwards done by Jason Then arriving with the rest of the Heroes in the Isthmos of Peloponesus he there sacrific'd to Neptune and dedicated the Ship Argo to that God Having gain'd the special favour of Creon King of Corinth he was made Free of the City and ever after dwelt among the Corinthians When the Argonauts were preparing every one to return into his own Country they say Hercules made this Proposal Olympick Games instituted by Hercules This was the first Institution But the Olympicks were not an Aera till 460 Years after An. Mund. 3174 in the 37th Year of Vzziah King of Judah before Christ 774. that to obviate the unexpected Blasts and Frowns of Fortune they should enter into an Oath mutually to assist each other whenever any of them stood in need of help and that they should pick out the most remarkable place in Greece for the celebrating of Sports and a General and Solemn Meeting of all the Grecians and that the Games should be celebrated in honour of Jupiter Olympus the greatest of the Gods Upon which the Heroes enter'd into the Association propos'd and left it to Hercules to institute the Games who made choice of the Ground in the Territories of Elis near to the River Alpheus for the General and Solemn Meeting and dedicated the Place to the chiefest of the Gods from whom it was call'd Olympick Having therefore appointed Horse-coursing Wrestling and other Oymnick Sports and ordered their several Prizes and Rewards he sent Messengers to all the Cities to acquaint them with the institution of these Games He was in no small Honour and Repute before upon the account of his Expedition with the Argonauts But this Institution of the Olympick Games much more advanc'd his praise for he was so cry'd up amongst all the Grecians and was so eminently famous in the esteem of most of the Cities that many desir'd to enter into a League of Friendship with him and to stand and fall with him in all Dangers whatsoever His Valour and Military Art was so admir'd by every Body that he presently got together a vast Army with which he went through the whole World desiring to benefit all Mankind Upon which account all unanimously agree that he has attain'd to a state of Immortality But the Poets according to their prodigous P. 179. way of relating matters say that Hercules himself alone and without any Arms perform'd all those famous Actions reported of him But we have before given an Account of all those things that are fabulously related concerning this God And now it remains that we should proceed with the History of Jason It 's said that he and Medea as Man and Wife liv'd together Ten Years in Corinth and of her begat first Two Twins Thessalus and Alcimena and a Third call'd Tisandrus much younger than the other Two During all this time they say Medea was greatly belov'd of her Husband being eminent not only for the excellency of her Beauty but for her Prudence and other Virtuous Qualifications But it 's said that when she grew old and her Beauty began to decay Jason fell in love with Glauces the Daughter of Creon and courted the young Lady to marry her The Father agreed to the Match and appointed a Day but Jason they say first apply'd himself to Medea in order to persuade her to a voluntary Divorce telling her that he did not marry this other Lady out of any aversion or disgust to her but that he might have Children to be Heirs to the Royal Family Hereat the Woman storm'd and appeal'd to the Gods for Revenge the Witnesses of his Oath and Vows However it 's said Jason without any further regard to her marry'd the King's Daughter Medea therefore being commanded to leave the City having only one Day allow'd her by Creon to prepare for her Departure by the Art of Witchcraft she chang'd the Form of her Countenance and enter'd the Palace in the Night and by a Root found out by Cerces her Sister which being kindled was of such a nature as it could not be extinguish'd she set the Palace on Fire And now all being in a Flame Jason sprang out from the Burning and escap'd but Glance and her Father Creon hem'd in on every side by the Fire were both consum'd Some Historians say that Medea's Sons presented the new Bride with poyson'd Plasters which she applying to her self miserably perish'd and her Father
Daughter of Bellerophon of her begat Sarpedon who went to the Trojan War with Agamemnon and is call'd by some the Son of Jupiter Deucalion and Molus they say were the Sons of Minos Deucalion had a Son call'd Idomeneus and Molus another nam'd Merion who as is said assisted Agamemnon against Troy with a Fleet of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Margent confirm'd by Hom. Iliad 11. vers 652. Fourscore Sail and afterwards return'd and dy'd in their own Country and were honourably bury'd and ador'd as Gods They show their Sepulcher in †Crnosus in Crete Gnosus whereon is this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Idomeneus in this Tomb doth lye Who born in Gnosus was and him hard by I Son of Molus rest Merion call'd These Two are ador'd as Demy-Gods by the Cretians for they offer Sacrifice to them and in their Wars call upon them for aid and assistance Having given an Account of these things it remains we should now speak of the Nations that are intermixt with the Cretians That the Aeteocretians were the first Inhabitants of this Island and reputed to have been there from the beginning we have before declar'd Many Ages after the Pelasgi planted among them a Nation inur'd continually to Arms and wandring up and down from their ancient Habitations seiz'd upon that part of the Island where they landed The Third Nation that came thither they say were the Dorienses under the Conduct of Teutamus one of the Posterity of Dorus. It 's said the greatest part of his Colony he brought from the Neighbouring Parts of Olympus and some part from the Achaians in Laconia for that Dorus gather'd his Colony out of the Parts and Territories near to Malea A Fourth sort of People that pour'd into Crete were a promiscuous Company of Barbarians from several Parts round about who notwithstanding in process of time spoke the same Language with the ancient Cretians the natural Inhabitants But after the power of Minos and Rhadamanthus became prevalent and considerable all these Nations were reduc'd into one Body as one People throughout the whole Island And at length after the return of the Heraclidae the Argives and Spartans sent Colonies and possess'd themselves likewise of other Islands and both in this and those other built several Cities of which we shall P. 239. treat more fully in due and proper time But since that almost all the Historians of the Cretian Affairs differ among themselves it 's not to be wonder'd at if we do not agree with them all in every thing we relate for we follow them who give the most probable Account and are esteem'd to be of most credit For sometimes we follow Epimenides the Theologist and sometimes Dosiadas Sosicrates and Leosthenidas Having therefore treated thus largely of Crete we shall now apply our selves to speak of Lesbos This Island was anciently inhabited by many several Nations one after another Lesbos by reason it was so often left and forsaken The first that seis'd upon it were the Pelasgi when it lay desert and uninhabited For Xanthus the Son of Triopas Prince of the Pelasgians that came from Argos seated himself in a part of Lycia which he had possessed himself of and there reign'd over the Pelasgians that came thither with him whence he sail'd over to Lesbos which at that time lay desolate and divided the Country amongst the People and call'd the Island Pelasgia which before was call'd Isa In process of time after the Seventh Generation many People were destroy'd by Deucalion's Flood and Lesbos likewise at that time was by * Deucation's Flood Chataracts of Showers laid waste and desolate But afterwards Macarius happening to touch there and considering Deucalion's Flood An. Mun. 2436 Eighteen Years before the Israelites departure out of Egypt Orige's Flood 248 Years before this while Jacob was with Laban An. Mund. 2189. the pleasantness of the Island there seated himself This Macarius was the Son of Crinacus the Son of Jupiter as Hesiod and some other of the Poets say and dwelt in the City Olanus then call'd Jados and now Achaia He got together a great Company of Ionians and multitudes from several other Nations flockt in to him in the first place he possessed himself of Lesbos afterwards growing more powerful through the richness of the Island and his own Justice and Humanity he gain'd many Neighbouring Islands and divided the Lands amongst his Countrymen and Followers About that time Lesbos the Son of Lapithas the Son of Eolus the Son of Hippotas by the Direction of the Oracle at Delphos arriv'd in this Island with new Colonies and marrying Methymna the Daughter of Macareus seated himself and his Followers there and injoy'd an equal Interest with them that were there before him and afterwards becoming a Man of great Renown he call'd the Island Lesbos after his own Name and the People Lesbians For Macareus had Two Daughters Mytylene and Methymna from whom two of the chiefest Cities of the Island were so call'd Macareus having a design to possess himself of some of the neighbouring Islands ordered one of his Sons to carry over a Colony first into Chius afterwards he sent another into Samos nam'd Cycholaus who seated himself there and divided the Lands by Lot amongst those of his Colony and rul'd over them as King The Third Island Peopl'd by Macareus was Coos over which he appointed Neander King After this he sent a large Colony with Leucippus into Rhodes whom the Rhodians by reason of the small number of Inhabitants that were left among them willingly receiv'd and suffered them to have and injoy the Lands equally with them But about that time the Continent over against these Islands lay under most The Macarian Islands pressing and grievous Calamities by reason of the late * Deucalion's Flood Flood for in regard all the Fruits of the Earth by the Inundation and Excess of Rain were rotted and spoil'd for a long time together Famine exceedingly prevail'd and through Corruption of the Air Plague and Pestilence depopulated and laid the Towns and Cities waste But in the mean time the Islands lying more open to the Winds and so partaking of their healthful Gales were loaded with the Fruits of the Earth and the Inhabitants had fulness of all things and in a short time were in a happy and prosperous State and Condition and by reason of the great Plenty that was amongst them they were call'd the Islands of the Blessed or †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Blessed Islands But some say that they were call'd the Macarean Islands from Macareas and Ion two Sons of one of the Princes that formerly rul'd there And indeed these Islands for richness of Soyl and plenty of all things did not only excel all the neighbouring Countries in ancient Time but do so even to this Day For the fertility of the Soyl the pleasantness of the Situation and P. 240. the
many Soldiers out of the Provinces of Liguria in Italy * France Gallia and †Spain Iberia and raised Men of their own throughout all Lybia and out of Carthage it-self In which preparations were spent Three Years and an Army of Three Hundred Thousand Men were mustered and Two Hundred Ships fitted out On the other part Xerxes stirr'd up by the Industry of the Carthaginians by way of Emulation as far exceeded them in Warlike Preparations as he did in Dominion and Empire He commanded Ships to be built every where upon the Sea-Coasts within his Dominions as Egypt Phaenicia and Cyprus and likewise through Cilicia Pamphilia Pisidia Licia Caria Misia Troas the Cities of the Hellespont Pontus and Bithynia and in Three Years time as the Carthaginians had done set forth above Twelve Hundred * Long Ships Ships of Burden were call'd Olcades and were built in a round form the first were Gallies using Oars chiefly the other Sails Gallies And this was the better accomplished by means of the Preparations of those great Forces rais'd by Darius his Father in his Life time For Datis Darius his General being not long before overcome by the Athenians in the Battel of Marathon Darius ever afterwards bore an implacable hatred against them But just as he was ready to pass over into Greece he was prevented by Death Xerxes therefore incourag'd both by his Father's Assistance and the Advice of Mardonius as is before related resolved to invade the Grecians When all things were prepared he commanded the Officers of his Navy to randezvouze his Fleet as * Cyme and Phocea †Cuma in Eolia And he himself with the whole Army both of Horse and Foot rais'd out of every Province of his Dominion marched from Susa and advancing to Sardis forthwith sent Heralds P. 243. into Greece commanding them to go to all the Cities and demand in the Name of the King * Earth and Water were Badges and Tokens of Subjection and Slavery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Earth and Water There dividing his Army part he sent sufficient as was conceiv'd to make †Of Ships from Abidos to the other Side Seven Furlongs about a Mile Herod lib. 7. c. 34. a Bridge over the Hellâ—spant and another part to cut a Way through the Mountain * Through a Neck of Mount Athos Twelve Furlongs over for his Ships to pass Herod lib. 7. c. 22 23 24. Athos both judging it safe for his Soldiers to have so short a Cut for their March and hoping likewise by such an extraordinary Work upon the first Attempt to strike a Terror into the Grecians They therefore that were sent having so great a multitude of Hands at work speedily dispatcht the Business But the Grecians being now alarum'd with the vast Army of the Persians sent Ten Thousand †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men in Armour Others were call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 naked or light arm'd that wore no Armour such as Archers Darters Men at Arms into Thessaly to possess themselves of the Passages or Posts of Tempe The General of the Lacedemonians was Synetus and of the Athenians Themistocles These sent Messengers to all the Cities to require them to raise Soldiers for the defence of the Passages at the common Charge for they made it their Business with all Expedition to interest all the Cities of Greece in the War that so the Persians might be opposed by the combin'd Force of all Greece together But when they heard that the greatest part of the Thessalians and those that inhabited the Straits had submitted unto the Kings Delegates or Commissioners they return'd home despairing to make any effectual Defence at Tempe And here it will not be from the purpose to declare what part of Greece assisted the Barbarians that deservingly branding them with disgrace Traitors to the Common Liberty of their Country may out of a sense of shame and Dishonour be deterr'd from the like practice We say therefore that the Dolopians Aenians Milesians Perrhaebians and * Magnesians sided with the Barbarians and even †Bordering upon Thessaly while the Guards were in Tempe the Achaeans Phthiotians Locreans and Thessalians joyn'd with them and after they were withdrawn most of the Beotians went over to the Persians Hereupon the Grecians in a common Assembly at the Istmos decreed that if they should be victorious those Grecians that sided with the Persians should be sacrificed to the Gods every Tenth Man And they order'd Embassadors to be sent to such as at present stood neuter to stir them up forthwith to take up Arms for the Common Liberty Of these some without delay heartily joyn'd themselves to the common Interest others promis'd to do it in due time though in truth by delay they were willing to have some prospect of the Issue of the War before they hazarded themselves They of Argos by their Embassadors in the Common Council declared that they were ready to join in Arms with the rest of Greece if they might have some share of the supream Command in the Army To whom Answer was given by the Council that if they thought it a greater Grievance to Fight under a Grecian General for the Common Liberty than to be Slaves to a Barbarian they do wisely to forbear to take up Arms But if through their Ambition they aspire to the Command of Greece it were just that they should first signalize themselves by such noble Actions as might justly deserve so great an Honour After this the Grecian Cities generally gave Answer to the King's Embassadors that went through Greece in such a manner as plainly demonstrated at how high a Rate they prized the common Liberty of the Country When Xerxes understood that the Bridge over the Hellespont was finished and a Passage made through the Mountain Athos he forthwith marched from Sardis determining to make his Way to the Hellespont And when he came to Abidos he pass'd his Army over the Bridge into Europe then marching through Thrace he increased his Army by the Thracians and other Borderers When he came to Doriscus he commanded his Fleet should sail thither that his Forces both by Sea and Land might joyn There he numbred his Army in which it is reported there Cornelius Nepos says Seven Hundred Thousand Foot and Four Hundred Thousand Horse were inroll'd above Eight Hundred Thousand Foot more than Twelve Hundred Gallies Three Hundred and Twenty of which were Greek Ships The Ships themselves were provided at the Charge of the King but furnished with Soldiers and Mariners by the P. 244. Grecians within his Dominions All the rest were Ships fitted out by the Barbarians Of these Two Hundred were built and man'd by the Egyptians Three Hundred by the Phaenicians the Cilicians Fourscore the Pamphilians Forty and the Licians as many Besides the Carians Fourscore and from Cyprus an Hundred and Fifty As to those from the Grecians the Doreans inhabiting about Caria together with them of
Rhodes and Coos sent Forty the Ionians with them of Samos and Chius an Hundred the Eolians with Lesbos and Tenedos Forty They of the Hellespont with them that inhabited about Pontus Fourscore The Islanders Fifty For the King had secured to himself all the Islands between Cyaneas Triopion and Sunium Such was the number of the Men of War in the Navy besides Eight Hundred and Fifty prepared for transporting of Horses and Three Thousand Ships of Burden of Thirty Oars a-piece Thus Xerxes was imploy'd at Doriscus in numbring his Army but the General Council of Greece being informed that the Forces of the Persians did approach it was ordered that the Grecian Fleet should forthwith sail to Artemesium in * Now call'd Negropont Eubaea judging that to be the most convenient place to oppose the Enemy And a Guard of Men at Arms are sent to Thermopile sufficient as was conceived to secure the Straits and Passages and repel the Barbarians For it was determined with all haste and speed to defend on every side all those that took part with the Grecians and with their Forces every way to preserve their Confederates Euribiades a Lacedemonian was Admiral of the whole Fleet Leonidas †Or King General of Sparta commanded the Forces sent to Thermopile a brave Man and an excellent Soldier Leonidas taking upon him the Command chose only a Thousand Men out of the Army to follow him in this Expedition But the * The Council or Parliament of Sparta Ephori or Common Council advising him to take a greater number against so powerful an Enemy yea commanding him so to do he in an intricate and perplexed Speech made Answer That in truth that number was too few to keep the Pass against the Barbarians but that he needed no more to accomplish that Design which they were going about to effect Receiving this dark Answer they asked him whether he led out the Army upon any slight and inconsiderable Attempt He return'd in Answer that in Words and Talk he was to lead them to defend the Passages But in truth and in the Event to dye for the Common Liberty Therefore if these Thousand which he had chosen might go along with him the Fame of Sparta would be advanced even by their Destruction But if all the Lacedemonians should go thither the very Lacedemonian Name would be utterly extinct they being Men never used to fly to save themselves Upon this there were allotted to him a Thousand Lacedemonians Three Hundred Spartans and Three Thousand out of the rest of the Army So that he marcht away with Four Thousand Soldiers to Thermopile But the Locrians who inhabited near the Passages had given †Earth and Water signs of Subjection Vid. Antea Earth and Water to the Persians and had promis'd to seize the Passes But when they perceiv'd Leonidas to advance to Thermopile they revolted and joined themselves to the Greciau Army and so a Thousand Locrians as many Milesians and near a Thousand Phocians marched with him to Thermopile besides Four Hundred Thebans of a different Faction sided now with Greece For the Thebans that were in Confederacy with the Persians were divided amongst themselves This then is the utmost number of the Army which under Leonidas their General came to Thermopile and there prepared themselves to bear the brunt of the whole strength of the Persians Xerxes having now numbred his Forces march'd * From Doriscus in Thrace upon the Banks of Hebrus P. 245. away with his whole Army to the City Acanthus his Fleet sailing near at hand over against him thence his Navy pass'd through the Ditch or Sluce cut through the †Isthmus of Mount Athos Istmos and by that means he pass'd his Fleet into the other * That lyeth before the Town Sea by a short and safe Cut. When he came to the Bay of †Not of Elis as the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mistaken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 near Thermopyle Melus he was inform'd that all the Passages were possessed by the Enemy Upon which he again increas'd his Forces and join'd to them little less than Two Hundred Thousand Men more which he had raised as his Confederates out of Europe So that besides his Naval Forces his Land Army consisted of no less than a * A Hundred Myriads is a Million Hundred Myriads And the rest that were in his Fleet what in his Men of War and what in his Transport Ships and Shipping for other Necessaries were judged to be no way inferior for number to his Land Forces Therefore what we find reported concerning the Number he brought with him is not to be wondred at For it 's said that †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never failing Rivers great Rivers were drunk up by that multitude and that the Sea it self was even cover'd over by the spreading forth of the Sails of the Ships So that the Forces of Xerxes have been by all reputed the greatest that ever any History made mention of The Persian Army now incamping at the River Sperchius Xerxes sent Messengers to Thermopyle both to find out with what Resolution he was likely to be oppos'd and likewise to declare that the King commanded them to lay down their Arms and return in safety to their own Countries and become Friends and Confederates to the Persians which if they yielded to then he faithfully promis'd that he would bestow upon them both larger and richer Countries than those they did then inhabit This Message being heard those with Leonidas returned this Answer that they were in a better Posture to be the Kings Confederates being arm'd than if they were disarm'd and if it happen'd that they must fight then they could more gallantly and couragiously venture their Lives for their Liberties As for the Countries which the King promis'd them they bid them tell him that it was not the manner of the Grecians by any base and dishonourable means to plant themselves in any Country or to gain Lands and Estates but by Virtue and Valour and being so gain'd by the same Valour to defend them Xerxes having receiv'd this Answer presently sent for Demaratus the Spartan who was banished from his Country and fled to him and in a scoffing manner ask'd the Laconian whether the Grecians could run faster than his Horses or whether they durst ingage with so great an Army Demaratus is reported to have answer'd the King thus You are not O King unacquainted with the Valour of the Grecians forasmuch as your Majesty ever made use of them to reduce your Rebellious Subjects upon all occasions And do not think that these who have done more than the Persians in the Defence of your Majesty's Sovereignty will approve themselves with less Valour for the preservation of their own Liberties against the Persians At which words Xerxes laughing him to scorn commanded him to follow him that he might presently see the Lacedemonians taking to their Heels
with them who without delay obeys the King's Command and looses from Pydna in Macedonia with the whole Fleet and sails to the utmost Coasts or Promontory of Magnesia call'd Sepias where meeting with a violent Storm and Tempest he lost Three Hundred of his Ships of War and a great number of his Transport Ships When the Storm was over he made away and arrived at Aphetas a City of Magnesia From thence he sent forth Three Hundred Sail and commanded the Officers that they should sail about and make to the Right Hand of the Island †Vid. Antea Eubea and so surround the Enemy The Grecians in the mean time lay at Anchor at Artemesia in Eubea whose Navy was at the most not above Two Hundred and Fourscore Sail whereof an Hundred and Forty were fitted out by the Athenians and the rest by the other Grecians Euribiades a Spartan was Admiral of the Fleet and Themistocles the Athenian took care of all other things relating to it P. 249. This Man by reason of his singular Prudence and Military Experience was not only in great Reputation and Authority with the Grecians in the Fleet but even with Euribiades himself and all were ready at his Command When the Sea-Officers were in Consultation where was the most commodious Place to join Battel whilst all the rest were for abiding where they were and to receive the Enemy as they then lay only Themistocles was of a contrary Opinion and declared that that Party ever had the advantage who in good order made the first Onset upon the Enemy For if they then in a Body fell upon the Enemy who was at that time in Disorder and Confusion by coming out of several Ports and at a great distance one from another the Attack would probably be successful and prosperous The Counsel and Advice of Themistocles prevailing the whole Grecian Fleet in order of Battel set sail against the Persians who coming out of their several Ports as they were dispers'd and out of order were met by the Navy of Themistocles who sunk many of 'em and forc'd as many more upon the Shoar In the mean time the Fleets of both Parties now come together and Battel join'd some parts of the Fleets prevail'd here and there on both sides without absolute Victory on either till Night put an end to the Contest Presently follow'd a most dreadful Tempest whereby many Ships of the Persian Fleet were forc'd out of their Harbours and lost So as God dimself seem'd to fight for the Grecians by reducing the Barbarians to a less number that the Grecians might be an equal Match for them and better able to bear the brunt of a Sea-Fight Hence it was that the Grecians grew more and more confident and couragious And on the other Hand the Barbarians ever more fearful in all Attempts But after the Storm was over having again brought together their Navy they Another Sea-Fight made down upon the Enemy with their whole Fleet The Grecians inforc'd with Fifty Athenian Ships made ready and undauntedly receiv'd the Barbarians And here the manner of the Fight was almost like that at Thermopyle for the Persians endeavour'd to charge through the midst of the Grecians and so to pass into ‖ The Straight between Eubea and Beotia Euripus But the Grecians with the help of their Confederates in Eubea defended the Straights upon which there was again a fierce Engagement and both sides lost many of their Men of War But Night drawing on again both Parties were forc'd into their Harbours It 's reported that the Athenians on the Grecian side and the Zidonians on the other bravely behav'd themselves in both Battels The Grecians afterwards hearing of the Defeat and Slaughter made at Thermopyle The Grecians transport themselves at Salamis and being certainly informed that the Persians were marching towards Athens were in great consternation and therefore sailing back to Salamis they there lay And now the Athenians seeing the extream Hazard all were in who remain'd in Athens put on Board their Wives and Children and all Necessaries and whatever else they could and transported 'em into Salamis Then the Admiral of the Persian Fleet understanding that the Enemy was withdrawn from their former station presently with his whole Fleet made for Eubaea and there first takes the City Istiea by Storm and raz'd it and then wasts and destroys the whole Country before him In the mean time Xerxes marches from Thermopyle through the Consines of Phocia Xerxes harrasâ—eth Greece razes all the Towns far and near and wasts and spoils all before him That part of the Phocians who sided with the Grecians not being able to Contest with so great a Multitude forsook their Towns and with all their Inhabitants betook themselves to the difficult Passages and Defences of the Mountain Parnassus Afterwards the King entring the Country of the Doreans forbore from Pillage and Spoil and commanded that no Injury should be done there because they were his Friends and Associates But part of his Forces left there he commanded to invade Delphos and to burn the Temple of Apollo and to rob and carry away all that they found there and he himself in the mean time led the rest of his Army into Beotia and there incamp'd When those that were sent to spoil the Delphian God were advanc'd as far Xerxes his Army punished at Delphos P. 250. as the Temple of Pallas there arose a sudden and incredible Tempest and Storm of Hail and Wind with dreadful Thunder and Lightning wherewith great Rocks were rent asunder and fell upon the Heads of the Persians and destroy'd them by Heaps The rest that surviv'd being terrify'd with this Portent of the Immortal Gods ran away with all haste and speed And thus by Divine Providence the Oracle of Delphos was preserv'd from Ruin and Robbery They of Delphos that they might continue the Memory of this wonderful Appearance of the Gods to Posterity for ever erected a great Trophy or Monument near the Temple of Pallas on which they engraved this Elogy A grateful Gift to Jove the Delphians Me Have rais'd proud Monument of Victory By Phoebus help who Medean Bands confound Peserv'd the †The Roof cover'd with Brass See Pausan lib. 10. 〈◊〉 5. he says the Temple was made of Brass Temple that with Brass was Crown'd Xerxes passing through Beotia wasted the Country of the Thespians and burnt Platea forsaken before of its Inhabitants For the People of these Parts with their Families and all their Concerns had withdrawn themselves into Peloponesus From thence he passed into Attica continuing still his Devastation and Ruin of all things And Athens it self he razes Athens raz'd to the Ground and burns the Temples Whilst Xerxes was thus imploy'd his Fleet having first spoil'd Eubaea and the Coasts of Attica loos'd from Eubaea and came to Attica About the same time the Corcyreans lay about Peloponesus with Threescore Gallies because they could
destroy their Forces without any Danger to himself or his Army Which Device of his was much forwarded by an Accident that then happen'd for as things then stood resolving upon burning the Enemy's Fleet it fortun'd Amilcar being then in the Camp with his Navy preparing for a great Festival Day to Neptune some of the Horse-men brought to Gelon a Câ—â—rier taken in the Fields who brought Letters from the Selimâ—â—tâ—ans in which was written that they would send the Horse-men to him at the Day that he had appointed which was the Day whereon he had determin'd the Sacrifice Upon the same Day therefore Gelon sends Horse-men of his own commanding them that conveying themselves privately in the Night to Places nearest and most convenient as soon as it was Day they should go to the Enemy's Naval Camp as if they were the Selinutian Confederates and being receiv'd within the Wall and Fortification should first kill Amilcar and then set Fire to the Ships He gave moreover in Charge to those that were as Spies upon the next Hills P. 254. that as soon as the Horsemen were admitted into the Fortification they should give notice of it by lifting up the Sign And he himself at Break of Day with his Army drawn up waited when the Sign would be given The Horse being come to the Carthaginians Camp about Sun-Rising they were admitted by the Watch for Confederates being entered without delay they make up with a fierce Charge to Amilcar who was then Sacrificing and both killed him and fired the Ships And presently the Sign being given by the Spies Gelo with all his Forces in Battalia fell into the Camp of the Carthaginians Whereupon the Officers presently drew forth all their Forces out of the Camp to encounter the Sicilians and with Ensigns advanc'd fought with great obstinacy And now the Trumpets in both Armies sounded a Charge and in Emulation each endeavour'd to exceed the other in Noise and Clamour In conclusion great was the Slaughter on both sides with little or no advantage to either when presently the Flame mounting up from the Ships and News brought of the Death of the General the Grecians now encouraged doubled their Shouts in certain hope and confidence of Victory but the Carthaginians altogether discouraged Gelo routs the Carthaginians and in Despair betook themselves to Flight And because Gelo had commanded that no Prisoners should be taken the Slaughter in the Pursuit was very grievous at last no less than an Hundred and Fifty Thousand were Slain The rest gain'd a Place by Nature Fortify'd and this gave the first stop to the Fury of the Pursuers But because they wanted Water through Extremity of Thirst they were forced to deliver up themselves to the Conqueror's Mercy Gelo's Name was now renown'd upon the account of so great a Victory obtain'd meerly by his own prudent Contrivance and his Praise was advanc'd to the very Heavens not only by the Sicilians but by all others For I may truly say that we have no History of any General that ever before him put in Execution so prudent and remarkable a Stratagem or ever slew more of the Barbarians in one Battel or took so many Prisoners And therefore some Writers account this Battel nothing inferior to the A Comparison of the Battel at Himera with the Battel at Platea Fight by the Grecians at Patea and equal this Project of Gelo to the Contrivances and Intreagues of Themistocles But the highest Commendations because they were both so remarkable and eminent are by some attributed to this and by others to that For whereas both the Greeks and Sicilians before Fighting were terrify'd with the multitude of the Barbarians the News of Gelo's Victory the Sicilians first prevailing inspired the Grecians with greater Courage But the Fortune of the Generals on either side was much different for it 's most certain that the Persian King with many Thousands more escaped but not only the Generals of the Carthaginians but even all the whole Army were so slaughtered and destroyed that as it is reported not one escaped to Carthage to carry the News of the Defeat Add moreover that the most Noble of the Grecian Commanders Pausanius and Themistocles were most unworthily dealt with even by their own Countrymen the one for his Covetousness and Treason was killed by his Fellow Citizens and the other Banished Greece was forc'd to fly to his greatest Enemy Xerxes and there live in Exile Gelo on the contrary after his Success advanced to more P. 255. Honour by the Love and Favour of the Syracusians reigned till he was old and died admired and honoured of all And such was the Esteem and grateful Remembrance the Citizens had of him that the entire Government was continued in his Family Three Descents Those therefore who have thus highly merited challenge from us likewise their due Honour and Praise But to return where we left The same Day that Gelo routed the Carthaginians Leonidas at Thermopyle with his Grecians broke into the Camp of Xerxes with more than ordinary Valour as if the Gods on purpose had contrived and effected at one and the same moment of time a glorious Victory in one Place and an honourable Death of the Grecians in another After the Fight at Himera Twenty Long Ships which Amilcar had †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kept out of the Bâ—racadâ— drawn out occasionally for necessary Services made their Escape and only they of the whole Army made an Attempt to return to their own Country the rest being either Kill'd or Taken But being overloaded with the Multitude of them that fled and meeting with cross Winds and Tempests they were all Shipwrackt and lost save only a few that escaped in a small Boat and arriv'd at Carthage and there with a doleful Cry declared how all the Army that was carry'd over into Sicily was destroy'd The Carthaginians were so terrify'd with the unexpected Slaughter of their Men that they all watcht Night and Day for the Guard of the City as if Gelo had been just then ready to enter into Carthage with his whole Army The number of those that were Slain affected the whole City with Lamentations and private Houses and Families were full of Tears and Complaints while some enquired after their Children others after their Brothers A great number of Orphans now bereft of their Parents with miserable Cries bewailed both their Deaths and their own Misery who were now left naked and destitute of those that should take care of them The Carthaginians therefore fearing lest Gelo should hasten into Africa sent unto him Plenipotentiaries Men both of great Eloquence and Discretion In the mean time he honourably rewarded the Horsemen that destroy'd Amilcar and upon all others that had done any remarkable Service he bestow'd the Marks of his Favour The chiefest of the Spoils he kept himself with an intent to Dedicate them as Ornaments to the Temples at Syracuse Many of the rest he gave
During these Transactions the Romans had great Wars and shed much Blood amongst the Volsians Spurius Cassius the Year before Consul being convicted of Treason for aspiring to the Supream Government was put to Death And these were the things done this Year CHAP. V. The Death and Commendation of Gelo King of Syracuse and the Rebuilding of Athens by the Policy of Themistocles TImosthenes being Archon or Chief Magistrate at Athens and Cesus Fabius and Lucius Aemilius Mamerchus Roman Consuls there was a setled Peace throughout all Sicily for the strength of Anno Mundi 3472. Olymp. 75. 3. Ant. Chr. 476. the Carthaginians was utterly broken and Gelo govern'd the Sicilians with that Justice and Equity that the Laws flourished in every City and Plenty every where abounded The Syracusians making a Law against extravagant Pomps of Funerals Law in Syracuse against Funeral Pomp. and not only taking away those usual vast Expences upon the Dead but forbidding all manner of Curiosity upon that account Gelo willing in all things to confirm what the People agreed upon confirm'd this new Law by his own Example for falling sick and lying upon his Death-bed he gave up the Kingdom to Hiere his eldest Brother and commanded that the Law should be strictly kept in reference to his Funeral After his Death his Successor in burying of him observ'd his Commands His Body was laid in his Wife's Inheritance within the Nine Towers as they were call'd Places of great and sumptuous Workmanship The whole City accompany'd the Body to the Place which was about ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Five and Twenty Miles Two Gelo's Funeral Hundred Stages distant And the Citizens erected a stately Monument over him and commanded he should for ever after be honour'd with the Honours due to the Ancient Heroes This Monument was in after-times destroy'd by the Carthagians in their War against the Syracusians And the Places call'd the Nine Towers through Envy were demolished by Agathocles But yet neither Ante Chr. 476. the Hatred of the Carthaginians nor the Envy of Agathocles The Commendation of Gelo and them that rule well nor the Force nor Fraud of any other Person was able to eclipse the Glory of Gelo. For History has justly preserv'd his Fame and will for ever hand it down to Posterity For as it is just and tending much to correct the Irregularities of Humane Conversation to fix a Brand and Mark of Disgrace upon those that have used their Power wickedly and mischievously so on the other hand it is as just to perpetuate the Memory of those who have rul'd justly and honourably to the good of others For this will be an Inducement to Men to behave themselves so as to merit Commendation from those that come after them Gelo reign'd only Six Years Hiero his Brother and Heir Eleven Years and Eight Months After the Victory at Platea the Athenians brought back their Wives and Children The Athenians repair their Walls from Troezen and Salamis to Athens and forthwith set upon the Repairing of their Walls and spared neither Cost nor Pains in that nor in any other thing necessary for their Defence But the Lacedemonians considering that the Athenians had much advanced their Reputation by their Strength at Sea fearing lest they should grow too strong determin'd to forbid the building of their The Lacedemonians endeavour to hinder the building of the Walls of Athens Walls and therefore sent Embassadors with all speed to Athens to let them know that it was not for the common good and interest of Greece that Athens should be walled for if Xerxes should make upon them a Second Invasion with fresh and greater Forces if he should gain Cities out of Peloponesus ready wall'd he might from thence as out of Forts and Castles make suddain Incursions upon them and thereby with ease subdue the Grecians But when the Embassadors were not much regarded they imperiously commanded the Carpenters and Smiths to P. 263. cease from the Work Whereupon the Athenians not knowing what to resolve Themistocles his Stratagem to build the Walls of Athens upon Themistocles who was then in great Favour and Authority advis'd them that they should not at present make any Noise or Stir about the matter For if they should contend the Lacedemonians would easily hinder them in the Work by making an Inrode upon them with the Forces of Peloponesus But he intimated to the Senate privately that he with such others as they should appoint would go as Embassadors to the Lacedemonians and there argue the Case with them concerning the Fortification of the City And he gave in charge to the Magistrates that if any Embassadors came from Lacedemon they should detain them till his return from thence and in the mean time they should with the assistance of the whole City go on with the Work and that was the very way he told them to effect their Design The Athenians all approv'd of his Advice and Themistocles with those join'd in Embassy with him set forth for Sparta In the mean time the People of Athens set upon the Work with might and main sparing neither House nor Sepulchre for Materials Women and Children Strangers and Servants were all imploy'd and none permitted to be idle The Work went on beyond expectation and through the multitude of Hands and diligence of those imploy'd advanc'd to Admiration which being nois'd abroad the Lacedemonians were very hot with Themistocles concerning the Fortifying of the City But he denied all and wish'd them not rashly to believe every little Story spread Abroad but rather to send some faithful Messengers who might bring them a certain account of the truth how Matters went and for further Assurance he deliver'd up himself and his Associats as Hostages to the Spartans The Lacedemonians at present pacify'd and perswaded by what Themistocles Ante Chr. 476. had said took him and his Associates into Custody and forthwith sent some of the chief of the Citizens to Athens to make strict inquiry and observation how Affairs were In the mean time the Athenians in a short space advanc'd their Walls to their just height The Spartan Embassadors as soon as they entred into Athens being very turbulent and sharply threatning the Athenians for what they had done they committed them all to Prison declaring they should not be set at Liberty till Themistocles and the rest of their Embassadors were sent Home By this Trick the Laconians being deluded were forc'd to redeem their own Embassadors by the discharge of the Athenians And this Policy of Themistocles in procuring the walling of the City both with effectual speed and safety purchased the great Love and Honour of the Citizens Whilst these things were acting in Greece the Romans made War upon the Tuscans and got a great Victory with the Slaughter of many of their Enemies and afterwards took Tusculum by Storm and reduced the City of the Esculaneans CHAP. VI. The inlarging
Two and Forty Years At the same time died Anaxilaus King of Rhegium and Zancles after he had governed Eighteen Years and Micychus a faithful Trustee was admitted into the Government upon Condition that he should restore all to the Children of the deceased King when they P. 267. came of Age. Hiero King of Syracuse after the Death of Gelo had a jealous Eye towards Hiero King of Syracuse his Brother Polyzelus because of his great Interest and Esteem among the People and therefore contriv'd how to take him out of the way to which end he imploys all Mercenaries and Strangers about him for his Guard judging that to be the surest way for the keeping Possession of the Kingdom And when the * A People of Sybaris in Greece Sybarites were besieged by the †A People of Croton in Italy Crotonites and desir'd assistance from him he rais'd a great Army and committed the charge of the War to Polyzelus with a purpose that he might fall in the Battel But Polyzelus suspecting the Design refused the Command at which the King fell into a great Rage against his Brother who fled to Thero King of Agrigentum whereupon Hiero makes all preparation Ante Chr. 474. and speed to besiege them both In the mean time Thrasideus the Son of Thero being Governor of Himera by Thrasideus his Oppression his harsh and severe Government quite lost the Hearts of the People But they not daring to complain to his Father not looking upon him as an impartial Judge sent Embassadors to Hiero with great Accusations against Thrasideus and offer both to deliver up their City and to assist him against Thero But Hiero judging it better for his purpose to deal with Thero in a calm and peaceable manner secretly betrays the Himerians and their Plots against him All things being made apparent and plain Thero is not only reconcil'd to Hiero but likewise The Treason of the Himerians discover'd by Hiero Hiero expels the Cataneans restores Polyzelus to his Brother 's former Love and Favour and puts to death many of the Traitors of Himera About the same time Hiero expelled the Cataneans and Naxians from their own Country and planted the Cities with new Colonies of Five Thousand Men out of Peloponesus and as many from Syracuse and call'd Catana Aetna and distributed not only the Country of Catana but many large Tracts adjoyning by Lot amongst the Citizens which were Ten Thousand And this he did both to have Succors at hand upon any Pressing occasion and likewise that he might be honoured after his Death as the Founder of so great a City wherein were contained Ten Thousand Inhabitants The Cataneans and Naxians he transplanted into the City of the Leontines commanding them to abide there in common freedom with the rest of the Inhabitants Thero in like manner considering how Himera was in a great measure depopulated planted the Doreans there and ordered that whosoever would should be inroll'd Citizens of that Place These govern'd the Commonwealth with great Commendation for the space of Fifty Eight Years Not long after which time the Carthaginians raz'd the City to the Ground which hath continu'd ruin'd and in its Rubbish to this Day CHAP. VIII The Lacedemonians quarrel with the Athenians for the Dominion of the Sea WHen Dromoclides was Archon of Athens and Marcus Fabius and Caius Manlius Olymp. 76. 2. Anno Mund. 3497. Ant. Chr. 473. Consuls of Rome the Lacedemonians were highly concern'd for their loss of the Sovereignty of the Sea and therefore being greatly exasperated against the Grecians who had deserted them they breath'd out Revenge with just Indignation against them A General Council therefore being call'd they advis'd together concerning War to be proclaim'd against the Athenians in order to the Recovery of their Dominion at Sea And in several other Assemblies of the People most of them especially the Young Men were very hot and eager for the War vaunting every where how rich they should be if they succeeded in their Design and how all would be encouraged in the Service of their Country when every private Family hath had such advantages and occasions to enrich and advance themselves And they call'd to mind an old Prophesie from the Oracle which bid them P. 268. beware of having but an half Empire which could signifie nothing else as they alledg'd but the present Circumstances they were in For being there were Two Sovereignties the one at Land and the other at Sea if they lost the one they must needs be Masters but of a Lame Government The whole City almost being of the Opinion for a War the matter was again referr'd to the Senate supposing none would dare to contradict the general Sense of the Citizens But one of the Senators of the Family of Hercules Ant. Chr. 473. call'd Hetaemaridas a Man of great Esteem among the Citizens for his Virtue advised quite otherwise and declar'd his Opinion that they should suffer the Athenians quietly to enjoy the Dominion of the Sea for that it was not the Custom of the Commonwealth of Sparta to contend about that Sovereignty And urging many Reasons for the confirmation of his Opinion which was not at first very grateful he at length prevail'd both with the Senate and People to wave the War And so it was concluded according to his Advice as most advantagious to desist The Athenians at the first were in great fear of a bloody War with the Spartans about this Command at Sea and therefore they built many Gallies for that purpose and provided a great Mass of Treasure and sought to gain all their Neighbours and Confederates with the greatest Demonstrations of kindness and courtesie imaginable But hearing of what was resolv'd and determin'd by the Lacedemonians all fear of War being now vanish'd they wholly bent their Minds to advance the power and greatness of their City CHAP. IX Hiero breaks the power of the Hetruscans by Sea WHen Acestoridas was Archon of Athens and Cesus Fabius and T. Virginius Olymp. 76. 3. An. Mu. 3498. Ante Chr. 472. Consuls of Rome at that time Hiero King of Syracuse at the Request of the Citizens of Cuma in Italy by their Ambassadors who were greatly annoy'd by the Hetruscans sent a considerable Fleet to their Assistance who joyning Battel with the Hetruscans of Tyrenia in a Sea-Fight sunk several of their Ships and obtain'd a compleat Victory and so the power of the Hetruscans being broken they return'd to Syracuse CHAP. X. The War between the Tarentines and the Japigians MEnon being Archon of Athens L. Aemilius Mamercus and C. Cornelius Lâ—ntulus Consuls of Rome broke out a War between the Tarentines and the Olymp. 76. 4. Ant. Ch. 471. Japiges concerning the Limits of their Lands At the first there were but little Skirmishes and taking Booties one from another But the Enmity increasing by degrees and in the mean time Slaughters being committed far and near on both
Athens the Romans chose Lucius Pinarius Mamercinus and Lucius Furius Fusus their Consuls At this time Hiero King of Syracuse invited to him with many rich Presents the Sons of Anaxalius Prince of Zancles now Messina in Sicily and put them in mind how kind Gelon had been to their Father and advis'd 'em now they were come to Mens Estate to call Micythus their Tutor to account and to take the Sovereign Power and Government into their own Hands Being return'd to Rhegium they forthwith demanded an Account of Micythus of his Administration who being a just and honest Man call'd together all the Friends of the two young Men and gave so full and clear Account of his Trust that The Justice and Honesty of Micythus Tutor and Governor of the Prince of Zancles all then present admir'd his Justice and Faithfulness The Youths now sorry for what they had done desir'd him to take upon him again the Government and as their Father to order and dispose of all Affairs as he thought fit But Micythus utterly refus'd to be any longer concern'd but giving up all ship'd his Goods and sail'd forth from Rhegium with the general Love and Favour of the People and made Rhegium in Italy for Greece where he lived the rest of his Time in great Repute at Tegea in Arcadia Hiero dyed at Catena a City repeopled by him and was there buried with great Pomp and Solemnity after he had reigned Eleven Years He left his Kingdom to Thrasybulus his Brother who reigned only one Year CHAP. XVII Thrasybulus King of Syracuse depos'd by Force of Arms for his Tyranny NOw was Lysanias Archon of Athens and Appius Claudius and Titus Quintus Olymp. 78. 3 Ant. Chr. 464. Capitolinus Roman Consuls during whose Governments Thrasybulus lost the Kingdom of Syracuse Concerning whom inasmuch as it is our purpose particularly and distinctly to write it is necessary to look a little back that so things may be more clearly understood from the beginning Gelo the Son of Dinome a Man for Valour and Military Discipline excelling all the rest by a notable Stratagem as you have heard routed the Carthaginians And using his Victory with all Moderation towards them he had subdued and dealing kindly and courteously with all his Neighbours was greatly honoured among the Sicilians and for the Sweetness of his Disposition liv'd belov'd of all in Peace and Quietness to the end of his days Hiero the eldest of his Brothers succeeded him in the Kingdom but far unlike him in his Government For he was covetous cruel and altogether a Stranger to the Candor and Sincerity of his Brother by reason whereof many were inclin'd to a Defection and Revolt but the Memory of Gelo's Generosity and general Kindness to all the Sicilians restrain'd them from outward Force and Violence But when Hiero was dead Thrasybulus his Brother advancing to the P. 277. Crown exceeded his Predecessor in all Vice and Wickedness For being more cruel and bloody in his Nature he slaughtered the Citizens against all Law and Ant. Ch. 264. Justice and by false Accusations banished many others and consiscated their Estates At last hating his People and the People on the other hand hating him for the Injuries they had suffer'd he rais'd a Standing Army to defend himself against the fear'd Revolt of his Subjects And now growing every day more and more into the Hatred of his People abusing some taking away the Lives of many others the People not able longer to endure his Cruelties made a general Defection and rose up in Arms to procure their Liberty by the Sword and shake off that Yoke of Slavery and Tyranny they were under Thrasibulus seeing the whole City of Syracuse in Arms against him first endeavour'd to cool them by fair words but when he saw they were so incens'd that there was no opposing them he rais'd Forces from Catana a Colony not long before plac'd there by Hiero and by other Confederates and Mercenaries he got together an Army of Fifteen Thousand Men and possessed himself of that part of the City call'd Acridina and the Island which was strongly Fortify'd from whence he made many Sallies and Incursions upon the Enemy The Syracusians at first kept that part of the City call'd Ithica and from thence annoy'd Thrasibulus And sent Embassadors to Gela Agrigentum Selenunte and Himera and to the rest of the Cities in the Heart of Sicily desiring aid and assistance for the recovering of their Liberty These readily answered their Request and sent them seasonable Supplies some Regiments of Foot others Troops of Horse others Ships furnished with all necessaries for War Thus in a short time having a considerable Force both of a Fleet at Sea and an Army by Land the Siracusians offer'd Battel to the Enemy both by Sea and Land But Thrasibulus being forsaken of his Confederates and having now none to trust unto Ant. Ch. 464. but his Mercenaries betook himself only to Acridina and the Island and left the rest of the City wholly to the power of the Syracusians Afterwards he fought with them at Sea and was beaten losing many of his Ships and fled with those that escaped into the Island Presently after he drew out his Men from Acridina and joined Battel with them in the Suburbs of the City where he was again routed with the loss of many of his Men and retreated a Second time within his Post in Acridina At length being out of all hope to regain his Sovereignty Thrasibulus abdicates the Government he sent to the Syracusians and came to terms of Agreement with them and so departed into * A City in Magna Grecia in Italy Locros The Syracusians thus freed from Slavery suffered the Mercenaries to march away peaceably They freed likewise the rest of the Cities from such Garrisons as were put upon them and restored to every place the Democracy From thenceforth the Syracusians lived in great Peace and Prosperity and injoy'd a popular Government for the space of Threescore Years till the Reign of Dionysius This Thrasibulus receiv'd a well order'd and constituted Kingdom but basely lost it by his wickedness and spent the rest of his Days at Locris as a private Man While these things were done in Sicily Rome first created Four to be Tribunes P. 278. of the People Caius Sicinius Lucius Numitorius Marcus Duillius and Spurius Aquilius CHAP. XVIII The Murder of Xerxes by Artabanus AT the end of this Year Lysitheus was made Chief Governor of Athens and Olymp. 78. 4. Ant. Chr. 463. Lucius Valerius Publicola and Titus Aemilius Mamercus Consuls of Rome In their times Artabanus of Hircania in great esteem with Xerxes and Captain of his Guard contriv'd to gain the Kingdom by the Murder of the King He reveals his Design to Mithridates the Eunuch one of the King's Chamberlains whom he most consided in as being his near Kinsman and whom he had oblig'd by many instances of his Favour Mithridates
the Athenians march'd swiftly after them and at length the Two Armies join'd Battel and although the Thessalians in the very heat of the Fight deserted the Athenians and joyn'd with the Spartans yet they and the Argives stood manfully to it and after many were kill'd on both sides the Night put an end to the Dispute After this there being sent much Provision out of Attica to the Athenians which was understood by the Thessalians they conceiving this to be now a fit opportunity to do some notable Service having refreshed themselves in the Night marched out to meet the Carriages And being that the Guard that attended them never suspected any Design but admitted the Thessalians as Friends the Contest grew hot whether should get or lose all For the Thessalians being at first thus admitted kill'd all they met and P. 284. being well prepared and the other taken at unawares made a great Slaughter The Athenians that were encamp'd hearing of what mischief the Thessalians had done hasten'd to the Relief of their Countrymen and fell with great Rage upon the Thessalians and routed them at the first Charge with a great Slaughter In the mean time the Lacedemonians came in to the and of the Thessalians and both Armies being now drawn up in Battalia it came to a general Battel which was fought with great Resolution and many kill'd on both sides The issue and event being doubtful both the one side and the other suspected the loss of the Day but Night growing on and the Victory still remaining doubtful Messengers were dispatch'd one to another and a Truce at length agreed upon for Four Months CHAP. XXIV The War between the Athenians and the Beotians THIS Year ended Mnesitheides was chosen Archon of Athens and Lucius Olym. 80. 4. Ant. Ch. 455. Lucretius and Titus Viturius Cicurinus were Roman Consuls In the time of their Governments the Thebans being brought low by reason of their League with Xerxes endeavour'd by all the Artifices they could to regain their former Power and Sovereignty for being greatly despis'd by all the Beotians who had shaken off their Authority they apply'd themselves to the Lacedemonians to assist them in recovering the Government of Beotia And for this Kindness they The War between the Athenians and the Thebans promis'd that they would be at all the Charge of the War then begun against them by the Athenians and that the Spartans should not need to bring any Land-Forces out of Peloponesus The Lacedemonians judging it to be much to their advantage to gratifie the Thebans in their Request conceiving that if they were thus strengthen'd and supported they would become a Bulwark against the Athenians especially the Thebans having at that time a great and well disciplin'd Army at Tanagra they enlarg'd the Bounds and Circuit of the City of Thebes and compell'd all the Beotians to the subjection of the Thebans The Athenians to obviate the Designs of the Lacedemonians rais'd a considerable Army and made Myronides the Son of Callias General Having chosen a competent number of the Citizens he told them the Day wherein he intended to march out of the City When the Day came many of the Souldiers notwithstanding the Command given did not appear yet with those he had he made for Beotia Some of his Friends and Officers of the Army persuaded him to stay till the rest of the Souldiers came up to them But Myronides being both a Prudent and Valiant Commander answer'd That it did not become a General to Loyter for it was a shrew'd Sign that they who were slow and dilatory in their March towards their Enemy would be Cowards in the Fight and would prefer their own safety before the good of their Country For they said he that readily appear'd at the Day appointed gave an evident Testimony of their Valour that they were resolv'd not to shrink in the Day of Battel Which by the Sequel did appear Ant. Ch. 455. The Thebans routed by Myronides for he march'd against the Thebans with an Army far less in number of Men but much excelling in Prowess and Valour and by the brave Resolution of his Souldiers utterly routed the Enemy which Victory was not inferiour to any that were ever obtain'd by the Athenians in former Times For neither that at Marathon nor at Platea against the Persians nor any other Exploit of the Athenians did exceed this of Myronides against the Thebans For the former some of them were obtain'd against Barbarians others by the help of their Confederates But this was gain'd by the Athenians themselves alone against the P. 285. most Valiant of the Greeks For the Beotians were ever accounted for stoutness and hardyness not inferior to any in Greece which in after-times was confirm'd for at Leuctra and Mantinea the Thebans alone fought both with the Lacedemonians and their Confederates and purchas'd to themselves great Renown and became reputed and that not unworthily the best Commanders of all Greece Although this Battel was one of the most Famous yet no Author has writ any thing of the manner or order of it However by this glorious Victory over the Beotians Myronides has equaliz'd his Memory with those illustrious Generals Themistocles Miltiades and Cimon Immediately after the Fight he took Tanagra by Storm and demolisht it And running over all Beotia wasted all before him and divided the Spoil and Riches of the Country amongst his Souldiers The Beotians inraged with the wasting and destroying of their Country came together from all Parts and with a great Army march'd against their Enemies Another Battel with the Thebans Ant. Chr. 455. The Fight began amongst the Vineyards of Beotia and both sides being fully resolved the heat of the Battel continued a whole Day but at length with great difficulty the Valour of the Athenians prevail'd Myronides shortly wan all the Cities of Beotia except Thebes Then he rais'd The Acts of Myronides his Camp and march'd with his Army against the Locrians call'd Opuntians routed them at the first Onset and upon their submission took Hostages and then broke into Pharsalia and with as much ease overcame the Phoceans as he did the Locrians and receiving Hostages marched for Thessaly and charging them with Treason commanded them to recall those they had Banished But the Pharsalians refusing to obey he besieged the †Pharsalos City which after a long and stout Defence he was not able to take by Force and therefore raised his Siege and return'd to Athens where he was receiv'd with great Acclamations of Praise for the noble Acts he had in so short a time accomplish'd These were the Remarks of this Year CHAP. XXV The Athenians invade the Spartans by Tolmides THE Eighty First Olympiad was celebrated at Elis wherein Polymnastus Olymp. 81. An. Mu. 3516. Ant. Chr. 454. Cyreneus was Victor at the time when Callias was Archon of Athens and Servius Sulpitius and Publius Volumnius Amintinus were Roman Consuls Then
Tolmides the Admiral of the Athenian Fleet out of Emulation to the glory of Myronides Tolmides's Design to invade Laconia made it his Business to do something more than ordinary remarkable And therefore for as much as none before had ever attempted to invade Laconia he advis'd the People of Athens to make an Inroad into the Country of the Spartans undertaking that if he might have but a Thousand Armed Men Aboard his Ships he would waste Laconia and bring an Eclipse upon the Spartans Glory Having got the Consent of the People and designing privately to get more His Stratagem to raise Souldiers Men than he at first required he conceiv'd this Project All were of opinion that a choice should be made of the strongest young and most spriteful Men in the Army But Tolmides designing far more than the Thousand yielded to him for his intended Enterprize He goes to every one of the ablest Men and tells 'em each singly that he intended to chuse him for the War and that it was far more for their Credit and Reputation to offer themselves of their own accord than being chosen to be compell'd to the Service When by this means he had persuaded above Three Thousand to give in their Names of their own accord and discern'd the rest to be backward he then proceeded to the choice of the Thousand granted to him by the Consent of the People And when all things P. 286. The acts of Tolmides were ready for the Expedition he set Sail with Fifty Ships and Four Thousand Souldiers and arriving at Methon in Laconia took it but by reason of the speedy Succour sent by the Spartans he was forc'd to quit the Place and made for Gythium a Port Town of the Lacedemonians which he likewise took and there burnt and destroy'd all the Shipping and Naval Provisions wasting the Ant. Chr. 454. Country round about Thence he bent his Course for Zacynthus in Cephalania and possess'd himself of that City and after he had brought all the Towns in Cephalania to a submission he sail'd with the whole Fleet to Naupactus on the opposite Shore which he gain'd at the first Assault and there plac'd a Colony of the Noblest Families of the Messenians who had been before upon Agreement dismis'd by the Lacedemonians For about this time in a War against the Messenians and the Helots the Lacedemonians had reduced most of them to their former Subjection And them of Ithomea they discharg'd upon Articles of Submission as is before said And as for the Helots those of them that were the Authors and Ringleaders of the Defection they had put to Death and made the rest Slaves Sosistratus now Pretor of Athens the Romans chose for Consuls Publius Valelerius Olymp. 81. 2. An. M. 3517. Ant. Chr. 453. Publicola and Caius Clodius Rhegillanus During their Government Tolmides continued in Beotia But the Athenians made Pericles the Son of Xanthes General of a select number of Men and committed to him Fifty Ships and a Thousand Souldiers with a Command to invade Peloponesus Hereupon he wasted Pericles made General a great part of it and passed into Acarnania near the Island Oeniades and there brought all the Cities to a Submission So that during this Year the Athenians gain'd many Cities and became famous for their Military Discipline and many glorious Successes in their Wars CHAP. XXVI The War in Sicily between the Aegestines and the Lilybeans The Custom of writing upon an Olive-Leaf the Names of such as were to be banish'd in Sicily call'd Petalism IN this Year Ariston was Chief Magistrate at Athens and Quintus Fabius Vibulanus Olymp. 81. 3. An. M. 3518. Ant. Ch. 452. and Lucius Cornelius Curetinus Consuls of Rome In the time of their Government a Peace was made between the Athenians and the Peloponesians for Five Years by the mediation of Cimon the Athenian In Sicily a War broke out between the Aegestines and the Lilybeans concerning A War between the Aegestines and Lilybeans in Sicily some Lands near to the River Mazarus After a sharp Battel fought and many kill'd on both sides they began to cool for some time but after an account of the Citizens was taken in every City and a new division of the Lands was made by Lot and that every one was to take his share as it fell the shares fell so confus'd that the Cities broke out again into Civil Discords and Dissentions by which Mischiefs the Syracusians greatly smarted For one call'd Tyndarides a rash conceited Fellow who protecting and feeding many poor People Tyndarides's Treason in Syracuse by that means sought to make a Party to further his Design in obtaining of the Principality But when it was evident that he aim'd at the Sovereign power he was brought to his Trial and condemn'd to dye And when they were bringing him back to the Goal he was by the Party he had before prepared as aforesaid by Force rescu'd out of the Hands of the Officers This rais'd a Tumult through the whole City and caus'd the chief and soberest part of the Citizens to join together against them who presently apprehended the Innovators and put them together with Tyndarides to death When several Attempts were made of this kind and many were infected with this itch of Dominion the Syracusians were at length forc'd after the Example of the Athenians to make The Law of Petalism made in Syracuse a Law not much differing from that of Ostracism at Athens For there every Citizen was to write in * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Shell the Name of him whom they conceiv'd to be most powerful to possess himself of Sovereignty So the Syracusians were to write the Name of him who was thought to be most potent upon an †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Olive-Leaf and when the Leaves were counted he whose Name was upon most of the Leaves was Banish'd for Five Years By this means they conceiv'd they should bring down the aspiring Minds of P. 287. Ant. Ch. 452. the great ones to some moderation for they did not hereby intend the punishment of any Crime that was committed but the prevention of Mischief by impairing the Estates and weakning the interest of them that might be ambitious That therefore which the Athenians call'd Ostracism from the nature of the thing the Syracusians call'd Petalism This continu'd long amongst the Athenians but was abolished within a short Petalism abolish'd time after by the Syracusians for these Reasons For when several of the chief and best deserving Men were by this Law banish'd the City the rest who were beloved by the Citizens and were Men of great use in the Service of their Country withdrew themselves from all publick business and out of fear of the Law betook themselves to private Lives But minding thus their own private Concerns at length they fell into all manner of Profuseness and Luxury In the mean time the basest of
the Matters design'd to be treated of endeavouring as near as we can to fix the time when things were done We began the Book next before this with the Passage of Xerxes into Greece and continued it with an account of affairs every where happening from that time to the Year next before the Expedition of the Athenians against Cyprus under Cymon their General In this we shall begin with that Expedition and proceed to the VVar decreed by the Athenians against the Syracusians CHAP. I. Cymon the Athenian Admiral his Expedition into Cyprus Peace concluded between the Persians and Athenians Cymon dyes in Cyprus EVthydemus being chief Governor of Athens Lucius Quintus Cinnatius and Marcus Fabius Vibulanus Roman Consuls Fortune frown'd upon the Athenians Olymp. 82. 3 An. Mu. 3520. Ant. Ch. 448. for in assisting the Egyptians against the Persians they lost all their Ships in the Island * An Island in Egypt in that part call'd Delta Prosopis but not long after a new War was Determin'd against the Persians for the Liberties of the Grecian Cities in Asia For this purpose the Athenians rigg'd out a Navy of Two Hundred Gallies and made Cymon the Son of Miltiades Admiral and order'd him to make streight for Cyprus and there invade the Persians Accordingly he forthwith Sail'd thither Cymon invades Cyprus with a brave Fleet well'd Man'd and Victual'd and in all other things in every respect sufficiently provided Artabasus was then Admiral of the Persian Fleet and lay with Three Hundred Ships at Cyprus And Megabyzus was General of the Ant. Ch. 448. Persian Land Forces and incamp'd with an Army of Three Hundred Thousand Men in Cilicia Cymon being Master at Sea landed his Men at Cyprus and forc'd Citium and Malus but used his Victory with great Moderation and Humanity having receiv'd A Sea Fight at Cyprus Intelligence that Fleets were come from Phenicia and Celicia to the assistance of the Islanders he hois'd up Sail Fought with them sunk many of their Vessels and took an Hundred together with their Men and pursued the rest even to Phenicia The Persians with the remnant of the Fleet that was left fled to Megabyzus where he lay incamp'd But the Athenians without delay pursued them and landed Ante Chr. 448. A Battle at land in Cilicia with the Persians their Men and set upon the Enemy but lost in this Fight Anaxicrates Vice Admiral of the Athenian Fleet who Fought with much Gallantry and there fell with Honour However the Athenians got the Day and after they had made a great Slaughter of their Enemies return'd to their Ships and Sail'd back to Cyprus These were the things done in the first Year of the Cyprian War After this when Pedieus was Archon of Athens the Romans bestow'd the Consular Dignity upon Marcus Valerius Lactuca and Sporius Virginius Tricostus In the Olymp. 82. 4. Ant. Ch. 447. An. Mu. 3521. time of their Government Cymon continuing Master at Sea brought most of the Cities of Cyprus under the power of the Athenians But Salamis the Metropolis was a very strong Persian Garrison well stor'd with Arms Ammunition and Provision of all sorts therefore he judg'd it of mighty consequence and Advantage if he could gain this Place for he conceiv'd if this were done that the whole Island would easily fall into his Hands and the Persians would be altogether discourag'd and not being able to relieve Salamis the Athenians being Masters Salamis in Cyprus besieg'd by Cymon at Sea would be deserted and despised by all their Confederats Lastly he concluded that if the whole Island of Cyprus were by force of Arms subdu'd the chief ends of the War were obtain'd and so it happend For the Athenians P. 293. Ant. Ch. 447. laying close Siege to the City Assaulted and Batter'd it every day But the Garrison being well furnish'd with Arms and all other necessaries easily defended themselves from the Walls against all the strength of their Enemies In the mean time Artaxerxes the King of Persia hearing of the defeating of his Armies in Cyprus call'd together a Council of War where it was determin'd that it was most for the Public Good to make Peace with the Grecians Whereupon Expresses were sent to the Generals and Officers of the Persians to make Peace with them upon any Terms Artabasus and Megabyzus forthwith dispatch'd Embassadors to Athens to treat of Peace whose Conditions being accepted by the Athenians they sent likewise Plenipotentiaries the chief of whom was Callias the Son of Hipponicus And these were the Articles of Peace between the Persians and the Athenians Peace concluded between the Persians and Athenlans and their Confederats to wit that all the Greek Cities in Asia should be free and govern'd by their own Laws That none of the Persian Commanders with any Force should come within three Days Journey of the Sea That they should not Sail in any Man of War between * A City in Pamphilia Phaselis and †A City in Lycia Cyane When these were confirm'd by the King and the Officers of his Army the Athenians on the other side agreed and engaged not to invade any of the Provinces of Artaxes Peace thus concluded the Athenians withdrew their Forces from Cyprus Triumphing in the glory of their Victories and in the advantages of the Peace But whilst the Army stay'd in Cyprus Cymon fell Sick and there Dyed Cymon dies Olymp. 83. Ant. Ch. 446. Afterwards Philiscus being chief Ruler at Athens the Romans chusing Titus Romilius Vaticanus and Caius Veturius Cicurinus Consuls was Celebrated the Eighty Third Olympiad in which Crison of Himera carried the Victory At this time the Megarians revolted from the Athenians and by their Embassadors sent to Sparta The Megarians revolt from Athenia 〈…〉 ns made a League with them with which Treachery the Athenians inrag'd sent their Forces into their Country who rob'd and spoil'd every where and so loaden with Plunder return'd home The Citizens indeed issued out of the Town for the Defence of the Country and ingag'd but were beaten and driven within their Walls CHAP. II. The Megarians revolt from the Athenians and are beaten The Athenians routed at Cheronea by the Beotians Many Cities revolt A Peace is Concluded AFter these things when Tymarchides was chief Governor of Athens Sporius Tarpeius and Aulus Asterius Fontinus being created Roman Consuls the Olymp. 83. 2 An. M. 3525. Ant. Ch. 445. Lacedemonians made an Irruption into Attica and wasted and destroy'd the Country far and near and after they had taken several Forts and Castles return'd into Peloponesus However Tolmedes the Athenian General took Cheronea but the Beotians joyning together supriz'd him upon which a Bloody Battel was Fought at Cheronea in which Tolmedes was kill'd though Fighting with great Resolution and the rest of the Athenians were all kill'd or taken By this remarkable Slaughter the Athenians were compell'd for the redeeming of the Captives to restore
Built the City calling it from the Name of the Spring Thurium The City in length contain'd four Streets The first they call'd Heraclea the second Aphrodisiade the third Olympiad the fourth Dionysiad The bredth was divided into three Streets the first call'd Heroa the other Thuria and the last Thurina When all these Streets were fill'd with Houses the City appear'd very compact and beautiful But the Thurians continued not long at Peace amongst Sedition at Thurium themselves for a grievous Sedition and not without some cause began to disturb their Common-wealth For the Sybarites the ancient Inhabitants shar'd all the chief Places of the Magistracy amongst themselves and left only the inferior Ant. Ch. 445. Offices to the new Colonies And the Wives of the antient Citizens were first admitted to Sacrifice before those that were lately brought into the Freedom of the City And besides they ingross'd all the Land next to the City and divided it among themselves and left that which was far off to the new Comers This Fire of Dissention broke out into a devouring Flame insomuch that the new Colony then more powerful than the other destroy'd almost all the ancient Inhabitants and brought the whole City into their own Power But the Country being very Rich and more than was sufficient for them that remain'd they sent for many out of Greece to till and improve the Land amongst whom they divided both the Houses in the City that were destitute of Inhabitants and the Land in the Country The Inhabitants grew very Rich in a short time and entring into League with the Crotonians govern'd their Common-wealth from thenceforth with great Commendation and having setled a Democracy divided the Citizens into ten Tribes and gave them Names according to their several Countries Three that came out of Peloponesus they call'd the Arcadian Achaian and Elean The same Number of them that came from other more remote Parts of Greece they nam'd the Beotian Amphyctonidae and Doridae according to their several Tribes The four residue from other Countries of Greece they call'd the Jadans Athenaidae Enboedae and Islanders Out of the most learned and best accomplish'd Citizens they chose for their Legislator Charonidas who examin'd the Laws of every Country and pickt out of every one what he judged to be the best and digested them all into one Body or Systeme But Charonidas his Laws Ant. Ch. 445. he added many himself of his own Contrivance To rehearse some of which it will not be unprofitable to the Reader And first he institued That whoever Married a second Wife and brought a Stepmother amongst his Children should 1 Concerning second Marage P. 296. be remov'd from the Senate and Common Assemblies for he judg'd that Man could never advise his Country well who was so imprudent in his own Family For they that were once well Marry'd ought to rest satisfied with such a Happiness and such as are unfortunate in their first Match and yet against their own experience commit a second Fault in the same kind justly deserve to be noted for Fools To False Accusers he appointed this Punishment That they should be led through the City Crown'd with the Shrub-Tamarisk that it might 2 False accusers appear to all that the Offender was guilty of the highest Wickedness And it is reported that some Convicted of this Offence to avoid the disgrace have kill'd themselves By the severity of this Law false Informers the Plague of the Common-wealth were driven out of the City and the Citizens lived in great prosperity Charonidas made likewise a new Law never before instituted by any former Legislator concerning keeping bad Company For he found by Experience That both the Manners and Judgments of good and honest 3 Bad Company Men were often depraved by the society and familiarity of wicked Men and drawn aside from the Paths of Virtue to the filthiness of Vice and that such Company like an infectious Disease seised the Minds of the very best with it's Contagion and Corruption For the way to Vice is down the Hill with a very easy descent by reason whereof many of more than ordinary Integrity insnar'd with the inticing Charms of Pleasure have fallen into the highest degree of Wickedness desiring therefore to prevent this mischief he severly forbad the keeping company and familiarity with lewd Men And fram'd a Process against ill Society and impos'd a severe Fine upon such as should be found Guilty And he made moreover another Law more excellent than this past Ant. Chr. 445. by by all the ancient Lawmakers That is That all the Children of the Citizens should learn to * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Teaching to Write Write and the City should pay the Master Wages For he knew that they who were poor were not able to be at the Charge and by consequence must lose the advantage of Instruction for their Children For he prefer'd and not without Cause the †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The praise of the Art of Writing knowledge of Writing to be learnt in the first place before all other Arts For by the help of this many things conducing to the publice Good are preserv'd to Posterity as Suffrages Decrees Epistles Wills Laws and other things necessary for Instruction Who can sufficiently set forth the praises this Art By this the Memory of the Dead is preserv'd amongst the living by these Messengers they that are at the greatest distance far absent may be Convers'd with as present These preserve the Opinions of the wisest Men the Answers of the Gods the Learning of Philosophers all the Sciences of the World and hand them down to Posterity for ever Life is due to Nature but how to live well we ow to the Books of the Learned so that by this good Law at the public Care and Charge those who were illiterate before wholly depriv'd of those great Blessings were now improv'd by more happy Education so that we may say he far exceeded those former Lawmakers who appointed Phisicians for the curing of private Mens Distempers at the charge of the Public for they provided cures for Mens Bodies but he for Ignorance and disease of Mens Souls And we never desire to have need of a P. 297. Phisician but are always unwilling to part with a learned Man Many Poets have Celebrated these Laws concerning evil Company among others are these If one Herd with bad Company I ask not what he is but see Such as his Friends are such is he Ant. Chr. 457. Of his Law concerning Stepmothers mention is made thus The lawgiver say they Charonidas amongst others made this Law Let him have no repute but of a Fool That sets a Stepdame o're his House to Rule Nor let him for a civil Office sue Who to an old Plague dares to add a new If good luck in a Wife thou hast had then Stick at a good hand if bad as most Men Th' art Mad
Samians who approached their City easily reduced it and there established a Democracy And having impos'd a Mulct of Eighty Talents upon them and receiv'd as many Youths for Hostages he committed them to the care and custody of the Lemnians and so having in a short time finish'd with good success all for which he was sent he return'd to Athens After this a grievous Sedition happen'd in Samos some being for the Democracy Seditions in Samos others endeavouring to set up an Aristocracy whereby the City was in a mighty popular Tumult They who were against the Democracy went over to Sardis in Asia to Pissuthines the Persian Governor to desire aid who lends them Seven Hundred Soldiers hoping by this means to bring Samos under his power P. 302. The Samians with this aid loosing from Asia in the Night stole secretly upon the City and by the help of their Accomplices enter'd and surpriz'd it and being thus easily possess'd forthwith eject all of the contrary Faction Then having stollen and carry'd away the Hostages out of Lemnos and strengthen'd Samos with Garrisons they declare themselves open Enemies against the Athenians who again send against them Pericles with Sixty Sail who overcame them in a Sea Fight though they had Seventy Sail. Upon this with the help of Twenty Five Ships which join'd him from Chios and Mitylene he besieg'd Samos and some few Days after leaving part of his Forces to maintain the Siege with the rest he made against the Phenician Fleet which the Persians sent to the aid of the Samians The Samians taking advantage of the opportunity of his departure suddenly set upon the rest of his Fleet and routed them with which success they grew very proud and haughty But Pericles hearing of the ruin of his Fleet left behind return'd without delay and got together a strong and numerous Navy fully resolving utterly to ruin the Enemy's Fleet And being speedily supplied by the Athenians with Threescore Ships and with Thirty from Chios and Mitylene he renew'd the Siege both by Sea and Land wearying the City with continual Assaults He was the first that made use of those warlike Engines call'd Battering Rams and Scorpions by the assistance and ingenuity Battering-Rams and Scorpions Ant. Chr. 439. of Artemon the Lacedemonian And by his fierce and violent Assaults battering down the Walls with his Engines the City fell into his Hands And after he had put to Death the Authors of the defection he caus'd the Samians to pay Two Hundred Talents in Compensation for the charge of the War He carry'd away likewise all their Ships and demolish'd the Walls and when he had restored the Democracy return'd into his own Country To this time the Thirty Years Truce between the Athenians and the Lacedemonians continued unviolated And with these things was this Year remarkable When Myrichides govern'd the state of Athens Lucius Julius and Marcus Geganius Olym. 85. 1. An. Mu. 3531. Ant. Chr. 438. were Roman Consuls The Eleans then celebrated the Eighty Fifth Olympiad in which Crisus of Himera was the Second Victor In these times in Sicily Ducetius formerly Prince of the Siculi planted the Country of the Callatines and having setled there many Colonies began at length to take upon him the Sovereign power over the Siculi But falling sick both his Life and his Designs Ducetius dies vanish'd together The Syracusians now being Lords of all the Cities of Sicily except Trinacria War between the Syracusians and Trinacrians resolv'd to gain that likewise by force of Arms for they were exceedingly jealous of the Trinacrians because they were very rich lest they should at any time after gain the Sovereignty of the * Sicilians Siculi to whom they were related as Kindred This City both then and ever had many valiant Men amongst them and upon that account was ever esteem'd the principal City of the Siculi for it was full of good Commanders Men of brave and daring Spirits The Syracusians therefore gathered together all their Forces both from Syracuse and from among their Confederates and march'd against the Trinacrians who being destitute of all assistance by reason the rest of the Cities were subject to Syracuse were in a bloody Battel hard put to it and after a resolute and valiant opposition all gallantly dy'd upon the spot For those that were wounded rather than to undergo the disgrace of being Captives dispatched themselves They of Syracuse having obtain'd this Victory over a People never before subdu'd P. 303. made all the Inhabitants Captives and raz'd the City to the Ground The richest of the Spoils they sent to Delphos as a grateful Offering to the Gods CHAP. VI. The Corinthian War against Corcyra Potidea revolts from the Athenians Quarrels in Thurium Meton's Year Heraclea in Italy built Potidea besieg'd by Phormio GLaucides the Chief Magistrate of Athens Titus Quintus and Agrippa Furius Olym. 85. 2. An. M. 3533. Ant. Ch. 437. Consuls of Rome The Syracusians being Victorious as is before related fell a building of Ships of Three Oars upon a Bank and doubling the number of their Horse busi'd themselves in raising a Land-Army And that they might raise and get together a great Treasure and Fond of Money they exacted larger Contributions from their Subjects and this they did with a Design to subject all Sicily by degrees to their Dominion Whilst these things were in doing the Corinthian War as it 's call'd broke The Corinthian War forth upon the following occasion The Epidamnians the Inhabitants of the Coasts of the Adriatick Sea being Colonies brought from Corcyra and Corinth were greatly distress'd with Tumults and Seditions amongst themselves where the stronger Party cast many of the contrary Faction out of the City whereupon the Exiles join'd together and calling the Illyrians to their Assistance and Confederacy they made against Epidamnum with a great Fleet And being the Barbarians were very strong they easily possess'd themselves of the Country and besieged the City They of Epidamnum not able to resist so great a Force Ant. Chr. 437. sent to Corcyra for aid who were of the same Stock and Kindred but being disregarded by them they made their Application to the Corinthians owning that City to be their only Metropolis and desired a Supply of more Citizens in the room of those that were ejected The Corinthians partly out of pity to them of Epidamnum and partly out of an old grudge they bore them of Corcyra for that they only of all the Colonies brought from them thither neglected to send to them as their Metropolis the usual Offerings decreed Aid to be sent to them of Epidamnum And accordingly they sent both a new Supply of Citizens and a Guard of Souldiers sufficient for the defence of the City The Corcyreans much inrag'd at this fitted out a Fleet of Fifty Sail against them The Admiral of which Fleet after his arrival commanded them of Epidamnum to receive the Exiles And then
the Army formerly commanded by Pericles Hagno thereupon Sail'd thither with the whole Fleet and made all the preparation for the Siege imaginable viz. Engines of all Sorts for an Assault Potidea Besieg'd Arms and Darts and sufficient Provision for the whole Army However though he continually batter'd the Walls of the City in many places yet he spent much time to no purpose For the fear of being taken by Storm added courage to the Defendants and the hight of the Walls commanding the Port made them very resolute Besides a Disease hapn'd among the Besiegers which destroy'd many of them so that they were greatly discourag'd Notwithstanding Hagno knowing that the Athenians had been at the charge of a Thousand Talents to carry on the Siege and that they were highly incens'd against them of Potidea because they Ant. Chr. 429. were the first that made a Defection durst not leave the Siege But with all his might persisted and stir'd up the Souldiers even above their Strength to force the City But at length considering that many of the Citizens were lost both in the Assaults and by the infection of the Disease leaving a part of the Army to maintain the Siege he return'd with the rest to Athens having lost above a Thousand Men. After he was gone they of Potidea being brought to the utmost extremity for want of Provision sent to the Besiegers to treat with them upon Terms of Peace which was readily accepted and imbrac'd with both Arms as they say by the Athenians and Peace was made upon the Terms following to wit That Potidea surrendred all the Inhabitants should draw out of the City and take nothing away with them but every Man one Suit of Apparel and every Woman two Matters being thus compos'd the Potideans with their Wives and Children according to the Articles left the City and setled themselves among the Calcideans in Thrace after which the Athenians sent a Colony of a Thousand Persons P. 311. and divided both the City and Country adjacent amongst them by Lot Phormio being now made Admiral at Athens with Twenty Ships sail'd round Peloponesus and arriv'd at Naupactum where possessing himself of the Greek Criseus he stopt the Passages against the Lacedemonians so as that their Ships could not come forth But their King Archidamus with a great Army began a new expedition Ant. Chr. 429. and march'd into Beotia and when he came to Platea ready and prepar'd to wast and destroy the Country he first solicited that City to revolt Platea besieg'd by the Lacedemonians But not being able to prevail he fell a robbing and spoiling the Country all along as he went Afterwards he Besieg'd the City in hopes to weary them out for want of Provision He incessantly likewise Batter'd the Walls with his Engines and made frequent Assaults But with all his Attempts not being able to gain the Place he left a part of the Army to carry on the Siege and with the rest march'd back into Peloponesus About this time the Athenians made Xenophon and Phanomachus Generals and commanded them with a Thousand Men to go into Thrace When they came as far as Pactolus in Beotia they burnt spoil'd and rob'd the Country all before them and destroy'd the very standing Corn. But they of Olynthus join'd with the Beotians fell upon the Athenians and slew most of them together with their Generals The Athenian Generalskill'd in Beotia In the mean time the Lacedemonians by the advice of the Ambraciots with a Thousand Men and a few Ships under Cnemus their Captain made for Acarnania and being inforc'd by a considerable Number of their Confederates Cnemus arriv'd there and incamp'd near the City Stratos But the Acarnanians in a Body came suddainly upon him surpriz'd him with the loss of many of his Men and drove him into the Country of Oeniades About the same time Phormio the Athenian Commander with his twenty Ships met with the Lacedemonian Fleet of Forty Seven Ante Chr. 429. The Lacedemonians routed at Sea at Rhium Sail and Fought them sunk the Admiral and disabl'd many others took Twelve with the Men in them and pursu'd the rest to the Continent The Lacedemonians thus unexpectedly beaten with the remaining part of their Fleet got into Patrae in Achaia This Battel was at a Place call'd Rhium Hereupon the Athenians erected a Trophy and Dedicated a Ship in the Isthmos to Neptune and so return'd to their Confederat City Naupactus But the Lacedemonians sent other Ships to join the remainder of their Fleet that were at Patra And all of them rendezvouz'd at * A Promontory neer the Isthmos of Corinth Rhium whither likewise the Lacedemonians Land-Army March'd and there encamp'd near to their Fleet. Phormio encourag'd by the late Victory set upon the Enemy though they far exceeded him Number and destroy'd many of their Ships but not without some loss of his own so that he went off but half Conqueror but being enforc'd with Twenty more Ships from Athens tlie Lacedemonians made off for Corinth and durst never attempt any more to Fight at Sea And these are the things reported to be done this Year Diotinus executing the place of chief Magistrate at Athens the Romans created Olymp. 88. 1. Ante Chr. 428. Caius †Julius Junius and Proculus Virginius Tricostus Consuls And they of Elis celebrated the eighty eighth Olympiad in which Simmachus of Messina in Sicily carry'd away the Prize About this time Cnemus the Lacedemonian Admiral while he lay at Corinth contriv'd how to surprize the Pyreum For he understood by his P. 312. Spies that no Shipping lay there nor any Guard was appointed to defend the Place and that the Athenians were secure and therefore Negligent conceiving none durst be so bold as to come up thither to attempt any thing of that Nature To this end having brought Forty Ships a little before to Megaris with these well Man'd he set Sail from thence in the Night and past over to Salamis where he surpriz'd and took the Castle Budorium and seiz'd their Ships and harras'd the rest of the Country They of Salamis firing their Beacons the Salamis invaded by the Lacedemonians Athenians suspected that the Pyreum was taken and ran all with great fear and confusion to their Arms for the defence of the Place But being better inform'd made away for Salamis The Lacedemonians thus frustrated in their Design left Salamis and return'd home After their departure the Athenians had a more watchful Eye upon Salamis and plac'd there a strong Garrison and fortifi'd the Pyreum with Walls and sufficient Guards for it's Defence About this time Sitalces King of Thrace though he had but a Small Kingdom yet by his Valour and Prudence greatly enlarg'd his Dominions being a Man The Commendation of Sitalces King of Thrace both Just and Kind to his Subjects and Valiant and Diligent in time of War He made his
427. an Hundred Sail of Ships under the command of Lachetes and Chabrias With these they arriv'd at Rhegium and from The Athenians assist the Leontines in Sicily by Chabrias their Colonies there and at Calcidea they had an Hundred Ships more which join'd with the former from thence they loos'd and came first to the Lipare Islands where they ravag'd the Country because they were Confederates of the Syracusians Then they made to * In Italy upon the Sea-Coasts Locris and took Five Ships belonging to the Locrians and besieg'd one of their Castles The Siculi bordering upon the †Mylae a City in Sicily Myleans coming to their aid the Armies engag'd and the Athenians were Conquerors and kill'd above a Thousand of their Enemies and took no fewer than Six Hundred Prisoners And presently after they took the Castle by Storm In the mean time Forty Ships more were sent to the Fleet by the Athenians to carry on the War with more Vigour under the command of Eurymedon and Sophocles And when they were all join'd they made up a Fleet of Two Hundred and Fifty Sail. But while the War was carrying on the Leontines by their Embassadors struck up a Peace with them of Syracuse Upon which the Athenian Fleet return'd Home But the Syracusians receiv'd all the Leontines into the City and made them all free of Syracuse and from that time appointed the City Leontium to be a Fort or Garrison of the Syracusians And this was the Condition of Sicily at this time In Greece they of the Island Lesbos revolted from the Athenians And the Lesbos revolts from Athens Reason was because all the Inhabitants of the Cities throughout Lesbos were by order and decree of the Athenians remov'd and brought into * The greatest City of Lesbos Mitylene For this Reason also they entred into a League with the Lacedemonians and advis'd them how they might become Masters at Sea To accomplish which Design they promis'd them a great number of Ships The Spartans gave a very quick ear to this and whilst they were preparing a Navy the Athenians were before them and commanded Clinippides with Forty Sail forthwith to waft over an Army into Lesbos who being joyn'd with other Confederates made for Mitylene Ant. Chr. 427. Mitylene besieg'd by the Athenians and in a Sea-Fight routed the Mityleans and then besieged them Hereupon the Lacedemonians resolved to assist them of Mitylene and to that end prepared a brave Navy but the Athenians enforc'd their Army with a Thousand Men more sent into Lesbos before the Lacedemonians arriv'd Paches the Son of Epiderus was General of this Expedition who when he arriv'd at Mitylene joining with the former Army laid a more strait Siege to the Place and contiually assaulted the City both by Sea and Land The Lacedemonians in the mean time sent Five and Forty Ships under the Command of Alcidas to assist the Mitylenes and again invaded Attica with the assistance of their Confederates who fell upon those Places that were before untouch'd and after they had most shamefully pillaged and wasted the Country they return'd Home But the Mitylenes oppress'd with Famine the Sword and seditious Tumults upon Conditions surrender the City After which a Council was held at Athens what Mitylene surrendred they should do with them of Mitylene There was one Cleon an Orator a cruel and violent spirited Man stir'd up the People to kill all the Mitylenes that were Men grown up and to sell all the Women and Children for Slaves The Athenians P. 315. voted it to be so as Cleon had perswaded them and sent Messengers to Mitylene to acquaint the Governor with the Decree When Paches had read it another to the contrary presently came to his Hand upon which Paches understanding the Athenians had chang'd their Minds with great joy call'd the Mitylenes together and both remitted their faults and likewise freed them from their fears But the Athenians demolished the Walls of Mitylene and divided the whole Island of Lesbos by Lot except the Lands belonging to Methymna And this was the issue of the Lesbean defection from Athens About the same time the Lacedemonians still carrying on the Siege at Platea drew a Wall round the City and fortify'd it with several Forts and strong Guards for its Defence The Siege continuing long and no Relief coming from Ant. Chr. 427. Athens the Besieg'd were greatly press'd both with want of Provision and the loss of many of the Citizens who were cut off in the frequent Assaults All therefore being doubtful what the issue might be a Council was call'd to advise what was fit to be done in order to their Preservation Many thought it most advisable to capitulate but there were others to the number of Two Hundred that were for breaking through the Guards in the Night and so fly to Athens In pursuance whereof observing the darkness of the Night those that were for Capitulating were prevail'd with to assault a remote part of the Enemy's Wall by which means they who intended to break through the Guards whilst their Enemies were busied in assisting their Fellows that were assaulted scaled another part of the Wall having got Ladders for that purpose and kill'd the Guards and so escap'd to Athens The next Day the Lacedemonians were in great vexation at the escape of them out of the City and brought their Forces close to the Walls and bent all their Minds and Strength with all expedition to force the Place Upon which the Plateans being terrify'd gave up both themselves and their City to the mercy of their Enemies Platea surrendred But the Lacedemonian Commanders put this Question to every one that they sent for from among the Plateans What good Offices or Services they had ever done to the Lacedemonians And when one by one confessed they knew of none they asked them again Whether they had ever done the Spartans any harm And when none deny'd that they order'd them all to be slain so that all that remain'd in the City were put to the Sword and the Town it self was raz'd to the Ground and the Lands belonging to it let to farm And thus the Inhabitants Platea raz'd of Platea for their faithfulness to the Athenians became involv'd in great Misery and undeservedly perished Whilst these things were in doing a great Sedition and ‖ A Sedition at Corcyra civil Discord arose in Corcyra upon the following occasion In the Battel at Epidamnum many of the Corcyreans were taken Prisoners and while they were in custody they promis'd the Corinthians that if they might be releas'd they would undertake to deliver up Corcyra into their Hands This was a very welcome and grateful Offer to the Corinthians A considerable Number of Talents therefore being colourably procur'd from their Friends for their Redemption they were all discharg'd As soon as they return'd into their Country minding the performance of their Contract they First seised
upon the chief of the Citizens and especially those who could most influence the People and afterwards cut their Throats and so quite dissolved the Democracy But the Corcyreans were presently assisted by the Athenians and recoverd their Liberty and were resolved to execute Justice upon Ant. Ch. 427. the Ringleaders of the Defection But they through fear of punishment fled for refuge to the Altars of the Gods and as Suppliants begg'd Pardon both of the Gods and the People Euthydemus was Governor of Athens when Three Military Tribunes invested P. 316. Olymp. 88. 3. Ant. Chr. 426. Plague breaks forth again at Athens with Consular Power were again chosen at Rome Marcus Fabius Phalinius and Lucius Sereulius In their time the Plague broke out afresh when they were freed from this Contagion but very lately before It rag'd so exceedingly that they lost Four Thousand Foot Soldiers and Four Hundred Horse and of others Freemen and Servants above Ten Thousand And now because the Course of the History may require a Declaration of the Causes of this violent Distemper it is necessary for us in this place to set them forth Abundance of Rain had fallen in the Winter by reason whereof the Earth being over-wet in many Places especially in low and hollow Grounds the Water lay like standing Pools and those being corrupted and putrify'd by the heat of the Summer thence proceeded a Mist of gross and stinking Vapours which corrupted the Air as it often happens about filthy Marishes And besides the want of good Food much advanc'd the progress of the Disease for the Year before the Fruits by too much Rain were crude and unwholsom There was likewise a Third cause of this Distemper which was this the * That is Winds which come at stated and certain times every Year Plin. lib. 2. c. 47. Etesian Winds this Summer blew not by whose gentle Breezes the violent heat of the Air was constantly allay'd before at other times so that the Heat being now excessive and the Air as it were inflam'd Mens Bodies now wanting the usual Refreshment contracted an evil Habit from whence arose through the vehement and immoderate heat all sorts of burning Distempers And hence it was that many seiz'd with this Disease to free themselves from the burning heat that was in their Bodies cast themselves into Pits and Wells But the Athenians judg'd that Ant. Chr. 426. so grievous a Distemper was from God and therefore according to the charge given them by the Oracle they purg'd the Island Delos which was formerly dedicated to Apollo now polluted as they conceiv'd by burying many dead Bodies there Therefore all the Graves of the Dead were dug up and the Urns were transported into the next Island to Delos call'd Rhene and a Law was made that it should not be lawful for any for the time to come either to bury or to bear any Child in Delos They then likewise reviv'd the Panegyrick Festival in Delos now for a long time disus'd While the Athenians were thus religiously imploy'd the Lacedemonians with their Confederates in Peloponesus incamp'd in the Isthmos and there consulted together concerning the invading of Attica again But there then happening such terrible †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Earthquake Earthquakes in several parts of Greece that it so terrify'd and possess'd them with fear and awe of the Gods that they all return'd to their respective Countries For the horrible Concussions of the Earth were so great that many Cities near the Sea were sunk and drown'd And whereas that Tract of Land near Locris was before a Peninsula by the violence of the Earthquake a Channel was made through the Isthmos and the Place turn'd into an Island now call'd †Near Eubea now call'd Negropont Atalante While these things were doing the Lacedemonians sent new Colonies into Trachin and changed its Name into * There are many of this Name but this is near the Mountain Oeta and the Straits of Thermopyle Ant. Chr. 426. Heraclea The Reason was for that the Trachinians having had Wars with the Oeteans many Years had lost most of their Citizens And therefore being almost depopulated they addressed themselves to the Lacedemonians whose Colonies they were to repeople their City The Lacedemonians in regard they were their Countrymen and Hercules their Ancestor in times long past had resided at Trachin resolved to make it a large and beautiful City And to this end they sent a Colony thither out of their own City and out of others in Peloponesus to the number of Four Thousand and out of the rest of Greece as many as pleased were receiv'd as Members of the Cololony The whole number was little less than Six Thousand To conclude Trachin was at length so far inlarged that it contain'd Ten Thousand Men and when they had divided the Land adjoining by Lot they call'd the City Heraclea Stratocles being Archon of Athens the Consular dignity was conferr'd upon the Three Military Tribunes at Rome Lucius Furius * Medullus Metellus †Mamercus P. 317. The Acts of Demosthenes the Athenian General Lucius Pinarius and S. Posthumius Albus In the time Olymp. 88. 4. An. Mu. 3547. of their Government Demosthenes made Admiral of the Fleet by the Athenians with Thirty Ships well man'd join'd with Fifteen more from Corcyra and other Aids from the Cephaleans Acarnanians and Messenians inhabiting ‖ A City of Achaia now call'd Lepantum by the Venetians Ant. Chr. 426. Naupactus and so set sail for Leucas and when he had harrased and wasted the Country of Leucadia he bent his Course for Aetolia and there burnt and destroy'd many of their Villages but the Aetolians making head against them routed the Athenians who fled to Naupactus The Aetolians incouraged with this Victory with the aid of Three Thousand Lacedemonians march'd against Naupactus which the Messeneans then inhabited but were repulsed From thence they made an Expedition against * A City of Aetolia Molycria and took the City The Athenian General Demosthenes fearing lest they should attack Naupactus sent a Thousand Men out of Arcarnania to strengthen the Garrison He himself continu'd in Acarnania and fell upon a Thousand Ambraciots in their March and cut them almost all off Upon this the whole Strength of the †Ambracia City came out against him and he destroy'd most of them likewise so that the City was almost made desolate Hereupon he entred into a Consultation of assaulting Ambracia hoping it might be easily won by reason there were few left to defend it But the Acarnanians fearing that if the Athenians were Masters of the Town they should have more troublesome Neighbours than the Ambraciots were refused to follow Demosthenes Upon this Mutiny the Acarnanians became Friends with the Ambraciots and entred into a League of Peace and Amity for an Hundred Years Demosthenes thus deserted by the Acarnanians returns with Twenty Sail to Athens Presently after the
small intermission from writing we gain a breathing fit the fruit and advantage by Prefaces But in as much as we have promis'd to endeavour in a few Books not only to relate things that have been done but likewise to comprehend in that Relation the time of above Eleven Hundred Years it 's necessary to avoid Prefaces and come presently to the matters in Hand Only promising this to inform the Reader that in the Six former Books are contain'd the things done in all Parts of the World from the Trojan War to the time the Athenians decreed the War against the Syracusians to which from the Destruction of Troy is Seven Hundred and Threescore Years And that we shall begin this Book with that Expedition against the Syracusians and end it at the beginning of the Second Carthaginian War against Dionysius the Tyrant of Syracuse CHAP. I. The Athenian Fleet rigg'd out for Sicily Alcibiades accus'd Flies Is Condemned Goes to Sparta out of Italy The Syracusians send for Aid to Lacedemon Gylippus is sent to them The Battel at Syracuse WHen Cabrias bore the Office of Archon at Athens and the Romans invested Olymp. 91. 2. An. Mu. 3531. Ant. Chr. 412. Lucius Sergius Marcus Servilius and Marcus Papyrius Three Military Tribunes with Consular dignity the Athenians having decreed War against the Syracusians rigg'd out a Fleet rais'd Money and prepar'd with great diligence all other things necessary for the Expedition To this end they commission'd Three Generals Alcibiades Nicias and Lamachus to whom they committed the management of the whole War The richer sort to ingratiate themselves with the People some of them supply'd the Fleet with Arms others promis'd to advance Money towards the Victualling the Navy and providing Pay for the Souldiers Many likewise of the People both Citizens and Strangers freely offer'd Preparations against Sicily themselves to the Generals to be listed and inroll'd And all were so confident that they were ready to divide the Country of Sicily amongst themselves by Lot And now the Navy was ready to set sail when on the sudden in one Night All the Images in Athens had their Heads struck off in one Night Ant. Chr. 412. all the Statues of the Goddess Minerva through the City which were very many had their Heads struck off The Populacy conceiv'd this not to be done by any of the meaner sort but by some in authority with a design to destory the Democracy and therefore they were highly incens'd at the wickedness of the fact and promis'd great Rewards to find out the Authors In the mean time one of the Citizens came to the Senate and told them that in the new Moon about Midnight he saw several Persons go into the House of a Foreigner amongst whom Alcibiades was one And when the Senate askt him how he could know him at such a time of the Night He answered he discerned him by the light of the Moon By which Contradiction he detected his own Falshood and never after could the least Discovery be made of that Fact by any Person whatsoever However notwithstanding this Accident an Hundred and Forty Gallies were rigg'd out besides Ships of Burden and other Ships for transporting of Horses P. 332. Provisions and other Necessaries whereof there was a very great number In this Expedition there went forth with them above Seven Thousand Men at Arms and Slingers and Horsemen sent from their Confederates besides those belonging to their Fleet. During this time the Officers had a private Consult with the Senate concerning the Administration of Affairs in Sicily in case they should conquer the Ant. Chr. 412. Island Where at length it was determined that they of Selinuntium and Syracuse should be carry'd away as Captives and Slaves and that the rest should have only a Yearly Tribute impos'd upon them The next day the Officers with the Army march'd down into the * The Port of Athens Five Miles from Athens join'd to it with a long Wall Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 2. c. 85. Piraeum and were follow'd with a great Multitude both of Citizens and Strangers throughout the whole City every one making it his business to take leave of his Friend or Relation The Ships lay on every side of the Harbour with their Fore-decks adorn'd with Flags and Streamers erect and shining with the splendor of the Arms. The Shoar round the Harbour was fill'd with †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Altars of Incense and Silver Bowls out of which were poured out into Golden Cups Drink-Offerings to the Gods by them who worshipped the Deity and earnestly pray'd for the happy Success of the Expedition At length they set sail from the Pyraeum and sailing round the Coasts of Peloponesus arriv'd at †Now Corfu Corcyra For here they were commanded to stay till they were join'd by some others of their Neighbour Confederates Being all come up to them passing through the Ionian Sea they came to the Promontory * A Promontory of Italy of Japygia hence sailing along the Coasts of Italy they were refused by the Tarrentines and passing by the likewise of Metapontum and Heraclea they came to the Thurians by whom they were courteously received Loosing from thence they made for Crotona and there bought some Provisions And sailing by the Temple of Juno Lacinia pass'd under the Promontory call'd Dioscurias After this leaving Tesasletius as it is call'd and Locris behind them they anchor'd near Rhegium and invited the Rhegians to join with them who answered that they must first advise with the other Italians As soon as the Syracusians heard that the Athenians were within their * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Streights Seas they made Three Generals invested with Absoute Power Hermocrates Sicanus and Heraclides who rais'd Souldiers and sent Messengers through all the Cities of Sicily to press them with all earnestness to join with them in Arms for the common safety of their Country For that the Athenians under Colour of a War against the Syracusians had no other Design but to subdue the whole Island To which the Acragentines and Naxians answered that they were resolv'd to abide firm in their League with the Athenians The Camarians and Messenians declared they were for Peace and refused to return any Answer to what was propos'd The Himereans and Seluntians with them of Gela and Catanea promis'd their Assistance The Cities of the †The Siculi are they that came out of Italy and call'd it Sicily which was before Sicania Sicilians is a general Name for all the Inhabitants Siculi though they favoured the Syracusians yet desired to be at ease and not knowing what to resolve judg'd it most advisable to consider a while of the business that they might be better able to discern what was like to be the issue of so great a War The Aegistines plainly declaring they could not contribute to the Athenians Ant. Ch. 412. above Thirty Talents the Athenian Generals accused them
upon the Shoar The Spectators upon the Walls gave great Shouts when they discerned any advantage gain'd by their Friends but when they were in danger to be overcome they fill'd the Air with doleful Groans and Lamentations calling upon their Gods for deliverance Sometimes some of the Gallies of the Syracusians were destroy'd under the very Walls and their Kindred and Relations Butcher'd before their Faces so that Parents were the Eye-Witnesses of the Death of their Children Wives of the miserable end of their Husbands and Brothers of their Brothers And after the Fight had lasted long with much Slaughter on both sides yet the Battel was still carry'd on for none never so greatly press'd durst fly to Land For the Athenians ask'd them which made towards the Shoar whether they intended to Sail to Athens by Land So the Syracusians on the Shoar demanded of them that fled towards them Why they were now ready Ant. Chr. 410. to betray their Country who would not suffer them that staid on Shoar to imbarque with them Did they shut up the Mouth of the Harbour as if they P. 340. would prevent the Escape of the Enemy to the end that they themselves might have the better Excuse to fly to the Shoar And being that every Man must of necessity die what more honourable Death could they desire than that for their Country which is now a witness of the Engagement and whom they basely and sordidly desert With these and the like Reproaches did they who fled to Land meet with from the Souldiers plac'd on the Shoar Whereupon they return'd to the Battel though greatly disabled in their Shipping and their Bodies so wounded that they were scarce able to defend themselves At length the Athenians nearest to the City were forc'd to fly Presently after they that The Athenians routed in the Sea-Fight were next gave back till at length the whole Fleet made away Whereupon the Syracusians pursu'd with a great Shout Those of the Athenians that escap'd being driven upon the Shelves and Sands leap'd out of their broken and shatter'd Vessels and fled to the Land Army The Harbour was now full of Arms and Wrecks of Ships every where Threescore of the Athenian Ships were absolutely destroy'd of the Syracusians Eight were lost and Eleven disabled The Syracusians tow'd as many of their Gallies to the Shoar as they could and took out the Dead Bodies of their Citizens and Confederates and gave them an Honourable Burial The Athenians throng'd together to the Generals Tents desiring them not so much to regard the Ships as the preservation both of Ant. Chr. 410. themselves and the Souldiers Thereupon Demostbenes declar'd that more Ships were forthwith to be man'd in order to force the Blockade which if done presently they might all easily escape Nicias was of a contrary Opinion and advis'd the leaving the Ships and to march up into the heart of the Country to the Cities of their Confederates whose Opinion all embrac'd And having burnt some of their Ships they forthwith made it their business to march away Their Design of Decamping in the Night being known to the Enemy Hermocrates advis'd the Syracusians to draw out all their Forces in the Night and stop all the Passes on the High-Ways But the Officers not approving of this because many of the Souldiers were wounded and all wearied and tir'd out by the late Engagement sent some Horsemen to the Athenians Camp to inform them that the Syracusians had laid all the Ways with Souldiers to intrap them in their March The Horse coming in late in the Night the Athenians believing they were sent out of kindness to them from the Leontines were in a great perplexity and thereupon stay'd at present where they were though they might have pass'd with great safety if they had not been thus deluded The Syracusians therefore as soon as it was light sent out Souldiers and secur'd all the narrow Passes on the Road. The Athenians divided the Army into Two Parts their Sick Men and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Carriages they plac'd in the middle those that were strong and able to fight were in the Front and Rear Demosthenes led these and Nicias the other and so they march'd towards Catana In the mean time the Syracusians drew Fifty Gallies left behind with Ropes into the City and ordered all their Sea-men and Souldiers out of the Gallies and arm'd them and so pursu'd after the Athenians Ant. Chr. 410. with all their Forces and continually vexed galled and even tir'd out the The miserable Condition of the Athenians in Sicily Rear Pressing thus upon their Backs for Three Days together and possessing all the Passes before them the Way to Catana was quite blockt up At length being chas'd through the Helorine Way to the River Assinarus where there was no going forward they were absolutely coup'd up and there the Syracusians kill'd Eighteen Thousand of them and took Seven Thousand Prisoners among whom were Demosthenes and Nicias the Generals The rest were given as a Prey to the Souldiers for the Athenians no Way being left to escape were P. 341. forc'd to deliver up not only their Arms but themselves as Captives to their Enemy's Mercy Upon this happy Success the Syracusians erected Two Trophies and fixt to them the Arms of the Generals and then return'd to the City Hereupon the whole City gave publick Thanks unto the Gods The next Day an Assembly was call'd to consider what was to be done with the Prisoners There Diocles one of the highest Esteem among the People deliver'd his Opinion That the Athenian Generals should be first Scourg'd and then put Death and that the rest of the Prisoners should be sent to the Quarries And that they that had any ways assisted the Athenians should be sold under the Spear and that no more than Two ‖ About half a Pint. Cotyles of Corn a Day should be allow'd to every Prisoner When the Decree was read Hermocrates then in the Assembly began to speak and say That it was more commendable to use a Victory with Moderation and Humanity than to overcome The People murmuring and grumbling at this as not pleasing to them one Nicholaus who had lost Two Sons in this War ascends the Desk supported by his Servants by reason of his Age. At which the People ceas'd their Murmuing supposing he would be sharp against the Prisoners Silence being made the Old Man began thus Ye Inhabitants of Syracuse I my self have born no small Nicholaus's Speech part of the Calamities of this War for being the Father of Two Sons I readily sent them forth to venture their Lives for the defence of their Country and for them were sent a Messenger who inform'd 〈…〉 e of the Death of them both and though I am every Day desiring they were alive yet considering the manner of their Deaths I cannot but judge them happy and bewail my own Life and count my self most
Days together imploy'd themselves in exercising and trying their Rowers and then order'd their Fleet which consisted of Eighty Eight Sail into a Line of Battel and stood towards the Asian Shoar The Athenians on the other side drew out theirs all along the Tract lying upon the Borders of Europe they were indeed fewer in number but far more skilful in Sea-Affairs The Lacedemonians plac'd the Syracusians in the Right Wing commanded by Hermocrates the Peloponesians in the Left under the Command of Mindarus Ant. Ch. 408. On the part of the Athenians Thrasyllus commanded the Right and Thrasybulus the Left Wing At the first the great Contest was for the Tide each striving to gain that For a long time therefore they sail'd round one another at length being in a narrow Sea they fought for a commodious Station For the Battel being between Sestus and Abydus the Tide in those Streights P. 351. was a great disadvantage to that side it forc'd upon But the Athenian Pilots far excelling the other by that means did notable Service in many respects for the obtaining of the Victory For although the Peloponesians exceeded the other in Number of their Ships and Valour of the Assailants yet the Skill and Diligence of the Athenian Pilots over-ballanc'd all this and made it of no effect for when the Peloponesians with all their Force strove to pierce them the Athenian Ships were plac'd in such excellent order that no part of their Ships could be toucht save only the very end of their Beaks Upon which Mindarus considering that they assaulted them in vain commanded that a few Ships singly by themselves should cope with the Enemy But neither in this case was the diligence of the Pilots wanting for with a little motion they easily declin'd the strokes of the Beaks of their Enemies Ships and so pierced them in their broad-sides that they disabled many At length the Dispute waxing very hot they not only pierc'd Ant. Ch. 408. one another's Ships with their Beaks but the Souldiers on the Decks Fought Hand to Hand But neither side as yet could prevail And now in the very heat of the Battel there appear'd beyond a Promontory Five and Twenty Sail sent from Athens Upon which the Peloponesians being in a Consternation at A Battel at Sea near to Abydus between the Athenians and Lacedemonians The Athenians Victors this suddain reinforcement tackt about for Abydus and were closely and eagerly pursu'd by the Athenians And thus ended the Battel in which all the Ships of the Syracusians Palleneans and Leucadians Eight of the Chians Five of the Corinthians and Eleven of the Ambraciats were taken by the Athenians who on the other side lost Five which were sunk After this the Army under Thrasybulus erected a Trophy in the Promontory where stands the Monument of Hecuba and Messengers were sent to Athens to give intelligence of the Victory and he himself sail'd with the whole Fleet to Cyzion For this City a little before the Battel had revolted to Pharnabazus Governour under Darius and to Clearchus the Lacedemonian General This Place not being fortify'd was presently surrender'd and after the Tribute agreed upon was paid by them of Cyzium the Fleet return'd to Sestus In the mean time Mindarus the Laoedemonian Admiral who fled to Abydus resits the Shipping and orders Epicles the Spartan to Eubea to bring to him Gallies from thence who hastens thither and gets together Fifty Sail and Ant. Ch. 408. Mindarus Shipwrackt at Mount Atbos fothwith made to Sea but in passing under Mount Athos was overtaken with such a violent Tempest that all the Fleet was lost and not a Man escap'd save only Twelve In memory of this there is an Inscription on a Monument at †A City in Peloponesus Coronea as Ephorus observes in these Words Out of the Fifty Gallies of Three Oars But poor Twelve Men on Rocks were thrown Of Athos Mount and sav'd With Wind Sea roars Rest of the Men or Ships spares none About the same time Alcibiades with Thirteen Gallies sail'd to them that lay at Anchor at Samos The Athenians had before been inform'd that through Alcibiades arrives at Samos pleads his innocency the Persuasions of Alcibiades Pharnabazus would not send the Three Hundred Ships as he intended in aid of the Lacedemonians Being therefore courteously receiv'd by them that lay at Samos he made some Proposals for his Return and made many Promises to serve his Country to the utmost of his power absolutely denying the Crimes laid to his Charge and complain'd of his hard Fortune that he was compell'd through the crafty Designs of the Enemies to make use of his Arms against his Country His Speech was highly applauded P. 352. by the common Souldiers and by Messengers reported at Athens upon which he was absolv'd and created one of their Generals for considering his Valour and great Interest every where amongst the Grecians they hop'd it would be much for their advantage if they again receiv'd him into his favour And besides Theramenes one of the greatest authority in the Commonwealth a Man eminent for Wisdom and Prudence as ever any before him advis'd the recalling Ant. Chr. 408. of Alcibiades When the Messengers return'd to Samos with this account Alcibiades joining Nine Ships more to these Thirteen he brought with him sail'd to Halicarnassus and there forc'd the City to pay him a great Sum of Money And then making great devastations in * An Island in the Archipelago call'd otherwise Co◠Meropides he returns with much Spoil to Samos and there divides the Spoil as a common Booty not only amongst his own Souldiers but amongst them in Samos and by that means gains them all over to his interest About this time Antandros with the assistance of the Lacedemonians drove the Garrison out of their City and so restor'd their Country to their Liberty For the Spartans being angry at Pharnabazus for sending the Three Hundred Ships into Phenicia entred into League with the Antandrians Here Thucydides breaks off his History containing in Eight Books which Thucydides ends his History Xenophon continues Thucydides Ant. Chr. 408. some divide into Nine the Affairs of Two and Twenty Years Xenophon and Theopompus begin theirs where Thucydides ends Xenophon continues his History for the term of Forty Eight Years but Theopompus goes on with the Affairs of Greece Seventeen Years and ends his History at the Sea-Fight at Cnidus compriz'd in Twelve Books Thus stood the state of Affairs in Greece and Asia at this time In the mean time the Romans were in War with the Aequi and entred their Country with a great Army and besieg'd their City call'd †Volas Bolasus and took it CHAP. V. Commotions in Sicily The Carthaginians invited thither by the Aegistines A Sea-Fight at Darclanum between the Athenians and Lacedemonians A Sedition in Corcyra The Sea-Fight at Cyzicum and at Cleros by Land wherein the Athenians were Victors
Thousand as Timeus relates but Ephorus says Twenty Thousand Hannibal when he saw his Souldiers so distressed drew out those that were encamped and came to the Relief of his shattered Troops setting upon the Himereans now in disorder by the Pursuit Upon which there began another sharp Dispute in which at The Himerians repuls'd Ant. Chr. 406. length the Himereans were put to flight but Three Thousand of them stood their Ground and bore the brunt of the whole Carthaginian Army and after they had signaliz'd their Valour all died upon the Spot After this Fight Five and Twenty Gallies which were sometime before sent to the aid of the Lacedemonians from the Siculi now returning Home arriv'd at Himera but a Rumour spread through the City that the Syracusians with all their Forces and Confederates were come to the Relief of the Himereans Hannibal in the mean time imbarques many of his best Souldiers in his Gallies which lay at Motys in order to Sail for Syracuse to surprize the City now that it wanted sufficient â—trength to defend it as he suppos'd And therefore Diocles Commander in chief of them who were sent in aid of the Himereans advis'd the Captains of the Vessels to sail with all speed to Syracuse lest when they had lost the best of their Souldiers in the next Fight their own City should be taken by force To which end it was thought advisable to leave the City for a while and to imbarque one half of Diocles's Forces to go along with the Fleet till they were past the Coasts of Himera and to leave the other half for the defence of the City till the Gallies return'd The Himereans took this grievously but being it was not in their power to do otherwise Gallies were fill'd in the Night with Women and Children and other things to be transported to Messena Then Diocles with those under his Command prepar'd for his Journey back into his own Country leaving the Bodies of them that were slain unbury'd And so many of the Himereans with their Wives and Children went along with him as could not be otherwise transported for want of Shipping But they that were left for the defence of the City watcht every Night in Arms upon the Ant. Chr. 406. Bulwarks And although the Carthaginiaus constantly upon the approach of Day made frequent Assaults in every Place found the City yet they upon the Walls indefatigably bore the brunt believing the Ships would return speedily to which very Day they held it out couragiously But the next Day after that the P. 364. Fleet was in sight far off at that instant the Wall was batter'd down by the Engines and the Spanish Regiment in a full Body rusht into the City part of the Barbarians forcing the Guard from the Walls and another part that possessing the Breaches made way for the rest of the Army to enter At length the City was Himcra ruin'd enter'd and the Barbarians with all Savage Cruelty kill'd all in their way till by the Command of Hannibal they forbore their Butcheries In the mean time the Souldiers plunder'd all the Houses of all things * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valuable Here Hannibal robb'd and spoil'd all the Temples and after he had taken out those that fled thither for Refuge he set them on Fire and raz'd the City to the Ground Two Hundred and Forty Years after the setling of the Inhabitants there Among the Prisoners the Women and Children he commanded to be kept safe but the Men to the number of Three Thousand he caus'd to be brought to a rising Ground there near at Hand where Amilcar his Grandfather perish'd by the Army of Gelon and there with all sorts of Taunts and marks of Disgrace put them all to Ant. Chr. 406. the Sword Afterwards he disbanded many of his Forces among the rest he sent the Sicilians who sided with him to their several Countries and with them the Campanians who made great complaint of the Injustice of the Carthaginians for that they contributing so much to their Successes had not rewarded them proportionably to the Services they had done them in the War However Hannibal ship'd his Army leaving a small Guard with his Confederates and with his Transport Ships and Gallies loos'd from Sicily and arriv'd at Carthage loaden with abundance of Prey The whole City came out to meet him and receiv'd him with loud and joyful Acclamations as a General that had performed greater things by far in so short a time than ever any before him At this time Hermocrates the Syracusian returned into Sicily He was in great Esteem Hermocrates returns into Sicily among the Syracusians because in the War against the Athenians he was remarkably serviceable to his Country He was afterwards sent as Admiral with Thirty Five Sail to the aid of the Lacedemonians but by a contrary Faction at Home being condemn'd to Banishment he deliver'd up the Command of the Fleet in Peloponesus to those who were deputed by the Government Afterwards Hermocrates banish'd Syracuse having receiv'd a considerable Sum of Money from Pharnabazus whose Favourite he was he sail'd to Messina and there built Five Gallies and hir'd a Thousand Souldiers with his own Money and taking likewise with him a Thousand of those that were forc'd from Himera he attempted with the help of his Friends to return to Syracuse But being prevented in this Design he march'd up into the Country to Selinunte and took in part of the City with a Wall and Ant. Chr. 406. got together as many of the Selinuntines as surviv'd the late Destruction and with them and many others which he receiv'd into the Place he made up a Body of Six Thousand choice Men. From thence he made an Excursion and spoil'd the Country of the Motyâ—ans overcame them that issu'd out of the City against them and kill'd many of them driving the rest within their Walls Presently after he broke into the Borders of the †Panorma now Palermo Panormitans and carry'd away abundance of Plunder He kill'd likewise Five Hundred of the Citizens that stood in Battalia before their City to oppose him and shut up the rest within their Walls and wasted and spoil'd likewise all the other Countries that were subject to the Carthaginians for which he was in high Esteem among the Sicilians Hereupon the Syracusians likewise presently began to repent when they saw that they had Banisht one whose Valour merited so much to the contrary So that when he was often nam'd and discours'd of in Publick Assemblies the People gave many hints and signs of their desire to have him recall'd Hermocrates therefore understanding that his Name was up among the Syracusians us'd his utmost endeavour to return knowing that his Enemies and Rivals would oppose it with all their P. 365. Might And thus stood things in Sicily at this time CHAP. VIII Thrasybulus assaults Ephesus The Lacedemonians besiege Pylus surrender Chalcedon besieg'd
by Theramenes and afterward Byzantium which was betray'd to Alcibiades IN Greece Thrasybulus sent from Athens with a Fleet of Thirty Sail well man'd Ant. Chr. 406. and with a great Army of Foot and an Hundred Horse sail'd to Ephesus where landing his Men in two places he assaulted the City but the Townsmen making a brisk Sally there began a sharp Engagement in which four hundred of the Athenians were kill'd for the whole Strength of the City fell upon them Ephesus Assaulted by Thrasybulus the rest getting to their Ships Thrasybulus loos'd from thence to Lesbos But the Athenian Generals who lay at Cyzicum pass'd over to * A City in Bythinia in Asia over against Constantinople Chalcedon and built a Fort call'd Chrysopolis putting into it a sufficient Garrison and commanded the Governors to exact the Tenth part of all Shipping that pass'd that way from Pontus Afterwards the Forces were divided and Theramenes was left with fifty Sail to besiege Chalcedon and Byzantium But Thrasybulus was sent into Thrace and brought the Cities of that Country under the Power of the Athenians Alcibiades having sent away Thrasybulus with thirty Sail with the rest of the Fleet arriv'd at the Province of Pharnabasus There they wasted and spoil'd all that large Tract and fill'd the Souldiers with Plunder and the Generals themselves got together a great sum of Mony by the Sale of the Spoils with a Design to case the People of the burden of their Contributions The Lacedemonians understanding that the Athenian Forces were still about the Hellespont sent Forces against Pylus where the Messenians were in Garrison At Sea indeed they had Eleven Ships of which Five were of Sicily man'd with Spartans but their Land Army was but small With these they besieg'd the Pylus besieg'd by the Lacedemonians Fort both by Land and Sea But when Intelligence was brought of this the Athenians sent out Thirty Sail under the Command of Anytus the Son of Anthemion to the Relief of the Besieg'd In his Passing thither a great Storm arose so that not being able to recover * A Promontory Malea he return'd to Athens Upon which the People of Athens were so incens'd that they condemn'd him to die as a Traitor Anytus brought into this imminent Danger redeem'd his Life with a Ant. Chr. 406. Sum of Money who is reported to be the First Athenian that ever revers'd a Anytus redeem'd his Life for Mony Sentence for Money In the mean time the Besieg'd Messenians in Pylus stood it out against all Assaults for a time in hopes of Relief from Athens But being press'd by fresh and renew'd Succors from the Assailants by the Loss of Men on the one hand and through want of Provision on the other they were forc'd Pylus surrender'd to the Lacedemonians to surrender upon Terms Thus Pylus was reduc'd and brought into the Hands of the Lacedemonians the Athenians having had Possession of it Fifteen Years from the time it was fortify'd by Demosthenes During these Affairs the Megareans took Nisea then belonging to the Athenians Upon which the Athenians sent against them Leotrophides and Timarchus with a Thousand Foot and four Hundred Horse Against whom all the Megareans with the Assistance of some from Sicily marched out and drew up in Battle between the Megareans and the Athenians Battalia upon the Hills call'd the Horns There the Athenians fought with that Valour that they put the Enemy to Flight tho' far more in number than themselves In this Battle great Slaughter was made amongst the Megareans but there were only Twenty kill'd of the Lacedemonians For the Athenians taking the Loss of Nicea very grievously wav'd the Lacedemonians and bent all the Ant. Chr. 406. Heat of their Pursuit after the Megareans and in a great Rage cut down multitudes The Megareans roated of them About this time the Lacedemonians made Cratesipidas Admiral and man'd five and twenty Sail with Supplies sent from their Confederates and Commanded him to succour their Allies who spent a long time about Ionia P. 366. doing nothing Considerable Afterwards being furnish'd with Mony by the Exiles of Chius he both restor'd them and took the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Citadel of the Chians When the Exiles were â—eturn'd they expell'd those that Banish'd them to the Number of six Hundred who possess'd Themselves of a place call'd †Atameus Atarneus opposite upon the Continent naturally fortify'd from whence afterwards growing Strong they they weary'd the Chians with frequent Invasions During these things Alcibiades and Thrasybulus having fortify'd Labsacus left there a sufficient Garrison and then sail'd with the whole Army to Theramenes who was then besieging Chalcedon having a Fleet of Seventy Sail and five Thousand Men under his Command The Generals drawing up the whole Army together in a Body Block't up the City by a Wall of Timber drawn from Sea to Sea Upon which Hippocrates made Governor there by the Lacedemonians whom the Laconians A Fight at the Siege of Chalcedon call Harmostis made a Sally both with the Lacedemonians and all the Chalcedonians And joyning Battle with Alcibiades whose Souldiers fought with great Resolution Hippocrates was slain and many more kill'd and wounded and the rest fled back into the City Afterwards Alcibiades pass'd over into the Hellespont and Chersonesus with a Design to raise Monies But Theramenes came to Terms with the Chalcedonians and agreed that they should pay the same Tribute Ant. Ch. 406. that they did before and so drew off his Forces and came before Byzantium designing to block up that place In the mean time Alcibiades having got together a vast Sum of Mony procured Byzantium besieg'd now Constantinople many of the Thracians to joyn with him and then making a League and Association with all them of Chersonesus he loosed from thence with his whole Amy and gain'd * Selymbria a City in the Propontis now call'd Seleuree Selymbria by Surrender from whence he exacted a great Sum of Mony and placing there a Garrison hasten'd away to Theramenes at Byzantium where they joyntly assault the Town with their whole Strength For they were to subdue a City that was very large and full of Resolute Men for besides the Byzantines who were very numerous Clearchus Harmostes the Lacedemonian had with him in the City a Strong Garrison both of Peloponesians and of Mercenaries insomuch that tho' they violently assaulted it for a long time they were not able to make any considerable Impression upon the Besieg'd But the Governor of the City being gone to Pharnabazus for Mony some of the Byzantines who had taken a Distaste at his Government For Clearchus was sharp and rigid betray'd the City into the Hands of Alcibiades in this Manner The Besiegers made as if they would raise the Siege and Ship off their Army into Ionia and to that purpose in the Evening they Sail'd away with their
whole Fleet and drew off their Land-Forces at some Distance from the Town but at Midnight the Army march'd back close to the City and having before sent back their Gallies with Orders that they should hale the Ships of the Byzantines out of the Harbour and set up a great Shout as if all the Army were there present they themselves with the Land-Forces kept ready drawn up in a Body close to the Walls in Expectation of the Sign In the Execution of these Commands whilst some of the Ships were broken in pieces by the Beaks of the Ships of the Athenians Ant. Ch. 406. and others by Grappling-Irons were hal'd forth and a great and terrible Byzantium betray'd Shout was made the Peloponesians in the City ignorant of the Treachery sally'd out to the Harbour for the Defence of the City In the mean time the Traitors gave the Sign from the Walls and by Ladders took in the Souldiers of Alcibiades while they of the Garrison were out at the Port. But the Peloponesians being inform'd of the Treachery left half the Forces in the Port and with the P. 367. rest ran with all Speed to guard the Walls of which the Enemy was now disposess'd And altho' the whole Athenian Army was broke in yet the Besieg'd were not in the least discourag'd for a long time but with the help of the Byzantines so couragiously oppos'd the Athenians that the City had never come into their Hands if Alcibiades had not made Proclamation that none of the Byzantines should be injur'd which was a thing very seasonably advis'd upon which the Townsmen turn'd their Arms upon the Lacedemonians so that many of them fighting it out with great Gallantry were kill'd The rest to the number of five Hundred fled as Suppliants to the Altars of the Gods The Athenians restor'd the City to the Byzantines and renew'd the League and Confederacy The Suppliants likewise were receiv'd upon Terms that they should deliver up their Arms and that their Persons should be Transported to Athens there to be dispos'd of as the People should think fit CHAP. IX Theremenes and Alcibiades return to Athens are admir'd by the People Lysander made General by the Lacedemonians Antiochus one of the Athenian Generals beaten at Ephesus in a Sea-Fight Agis surprizes part of the Walls of Athens but was beaten off Alcibiades accus'd for Assaulting Cuma a Confederate City Conon made Admiral in his place AFTER the End of the Year Euctemones was made Archon of Athens and Olymp. 93. 1. the Romans constituted Marcus Papyrius and Spurius Nautius Consuls Then was celebrated the Ninety-third Olympiad in which Eubatus of Cyrene got the An. M. 3564. Victory At this time the Athenian Generals now possess'd of Byzantium gain'd Ant. Chr. 405. all the Cities of the Hellespont except Abydus Then they left Diodorus and Mantitheus with sufficient Forces Governours in the Hellespont and they themselves after they had perform'd many Famous Exploits for the Honour and Safety of their Country return'd with the Fleet loaden with Spoils to Athens When they drew near all the People throng'd out with great Joy to meet them and a great number of Strangers both Women and Children ran together into the Pyreum the Arrival of the Generals filling all Persons with Admiration For they brought along with them no less than two hundred Ships which they had taken and a multitude of Prisoners with much Spoil and their own Ships were gloriously adorn'd with Arms Rich Spoils and Golden Crowns and such like Every Body throng'd one upon another to see Alcibiades so as the City was even left without an Inhabitant whilst both Bond and Free long'd to have a View of Him For he was so highly Admir'd at that time that none of the Alcibiades receiv'd with great Applause at Athens former Athenians were judg'd comparable to this Man who so openly and confidently had stood it out against the People They who were Poor and under Mulcts and Fines now hop'd they had an Excellent Advocate who by raising Tumults and Disturbances in the City could free them from their Penuries and pressing Necessities He was a Man daring above all others and an Excellent Speaker In times of War a Brave Souldier and as Skilful a Commander ready His Description in undertaking any Desperate Enterprize of a very Comly and Bautiful Countenance of a Noble Spirit and Aspiring Mind All were so fill'd with Expectation from him that they concluded his Return and the Prosperity of the City Ant. Chr. 405. were coupl'd together For as the Lacedemoniuns were Successful and Victorious whilst he Assisted them so they hop'd that by his Return their Affairs would change to the Better As soon as the Fleet entred into the Harbour all Eyes were fix'd upon Alcibiades's Ship and upon his Landing they receiv'd him with great Acclamations and Congratulated his Return and Victories After he had with all Courteous Behaviour Saluted the People he call'd an * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Assembly where having made a long Defeence for the Clearing of his Innocency he so insinuated himself into the Good-will of the People that all cast the Blame of the †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 368. Dooms and Judgments against him upon the City it self And therefore they restor'd all his Estate not long before Consiscated and threw the Records of his Condemnation into the Sea and Revers'd all other things that were Decreed against him And a Decree was made That the * Certain Priests of Athens Eumolpides should take away and absolve him from that Curse they had pronounc'd against him when he was suppos'd to have been guilty of Prophaning the Sacred Mysteries At last they made him General and gave him full Power both by Sea and Land and committed all their Forces to his Command upon which he Constituted other Generals as he thought fit That is to say Adimantus and Thrasybulus and He Himself with an Hundred Sail pass'd over to Andros and there possess'd Himself of the Fort Alcibiades invades Andros Gaurium and took it in with a Wall But the Andrians with the whole Strenth of the City and the Succours sent to them from Peloponesus sally'd out against them whereupon a sharp Engagement follow'd in which the Athenians were Conquerors a great part of them that came out of the Town being cum off Of those that escap'd some were scatter'd abroad in the Fields others got within the Walls After he had several times attempted to take the City by Assault and saw he could not he prevail left a sufficient Garrison in the Fort by him before fortify'd under the Command of Thrasybulus and he Himself sail'd away with the rest of the Army and wasted and spoil'd Coos and Rhodes and there got a great deal of provision for his Souldiers As for the Lacedemonians although they had lost most of their Fleet and the Command of the Sea together with their General
incamp'd in ‖ A Place near the City Academia The next Day when the Athenians erected a Trophy he drew out his Army in Battalia and Challeng'd them to Battel Upon which the Athenians march'd out and drew up in a Body under P. 370. the Walls The Lacedemonians gave the Onset but by reason of the showers of Darts wherewith they were gall'd from the Walls they were forc'd to draw off from the City And after great Devastations made in the rest of Attica they return'd to Peloponesus As for Alcibiades he sails with his whole Fleet from Samos to Cuma where Ant. Ch. 405. Alcibiades unjustly wastes Cuma under colour and pretence of feign'd Crimes lay'd to the Charge of the Inhabitants he wasts and spoils the Country And at the first takes a great multitude of Prisoners and forces them away to his Ships but the Cumeans with the whole Power of the City made out against him for the Defence and Rescue of their Country-men Alcibiades for a while bore the Brunt but being overcome by fresh Supplies both out of the City and from the Country the Army was forc'd to fly to their Ships and leave their Captives behind them Alcibiades being much troubled to be thus baffled sent for the Regiments from Mitylene and drew up his Army against the City challenging the Cumeans to a Battle But none coming forth after many Devastations he return'd to Mitylene But the Cumeans sent to Athens and put in their Bill against Alcibiades in form of Law for that he had wasted and spoiled a Confederated City and Alcibiades accus'd at Athens by the Cumeans Country which had not in the least done them any Injury and many other Accusations they brought against him For some of the Garrison in Samos bearing him a Grudge pass'd over to Athens and accus'd him in the Publick Assembly that he was a secret Friend to the Lacedemonians and kept a close and intimate Correspondence with Pharnabasus for this very purpose that when the War was ended he might gain the Sovereignty of Athens These Calumnies being easily credited by the Common People the Glory of Alcibiades began to wain and the rather by reason of his late Ill-success at Sea and his Miscarriages at Cuma Henceforward the People of Athens began to be jealous of Alcibiades and created ten other Commanders Conon Lysanias Diomedon Pericles Erasmides Aristocrates Conon made Admiral Ant. Ch. 405. Alcibiades lost his Commission Archestratus Protomachus Thrasybulus and Aristogenes From among these they chose out Conon to be Admiral and forthwith sent him to Alcibiades to demand the Fleet from him who gave up his Charge accordingly but not daring to return to Athens sail'd only with one Ship to Padyen in Thrace For besides the Rage of the Common People he was afraid many Crimes would be laid to his charge many now he lay under the hatches contriving how to load him with Accusations and to upbraid him with his former Faults the greatest of which was that concerning the Horses for which there was set upon him a Mulct of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in the Margent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fifty Talents For when Diomedes his Friend lent him a Chariot with four Horses to go along with him to Olympia when he subscrib'd his Name as the Custom was he affirm'd the Horses to be his own and when he was Victor by that Chariot and Horses he not only carry'd away the Glory but detain'd the Horses from him that so friendly and kindly repos'd a Trust in him Revolving therefore all these things in his Mind he was afraid the Athenians now they had an Advantage Alcibiades avoids Athens against him would rip up all his former Miscarriages and lay the greater load upon him Therefore he banish'd himself CHAP. X. Hermocrates kill'd at Syracuse attempting to surprize it IN this Olympiad the †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This was a new Race by a brace of Mules in a Chariot call'd Sinouris Xen. Hel. lib. 1. Ush Annal. 155. Synouris was added to the Olympian Games And Plistonax King of the Lacedemonians died when he had reign'd ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in the Margent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fifty Years To whom succeeded Pausanias who Govern'd fourteen Years The Inhabitants of Rhodes out of Ialysus Lindus and Camirus Incorporated themselves into one City now call'd Rhodes Hermocrates the Syracusian march'd out of Selinunte with his Forces to Himera and Encamp'd in the Suburbs of that late ruin'd City * Hermocrates causes the dead Bodies to be convey'd to Syracuse P. 371. Where after he had by diligent Enquiry found out in what place the Syracusians had their Post he gather'd up the dead Bodies of the Syracusians and put them in Chariots richly adorn'd and sent them to Syracuse and he himself accompany'd them as far as it was lawful for a Banish'd Man to go who was not to set a Foot within the Confines of the Country and there he committed the Care of Conveying them to Syracuse to others He did this to bring an Odium upon Diocles who oppos'd his Return for his Neglect in not Burying the Dead and to regain the Good-will of the People to himself for his Humanity When the Bodies were brought to the City there arose a Dissention amongst the People Diocles oppos'd the Burial of them but the People were unanimously against him At length it was resolv'd That they should be bury'd and the whole City grac'd the Solemnity with their Presence and Diocles was Banish'd However Hermocrates was never the nearer being Restor'd for they were very jealous of him that if ever he came into Authority he would usurp the Sovereignty When therefore he understood that for the present it was to no purpose to strive against the Stream he return'd to Selinunte But not long after being sent to some of his Faction he hastens away with three thousand Armed Ant. Chr. 405. Men and marching through Geloa in the Night comes to the Place before appointed where all his Souldiers could not readily follow him so that with a few he comes up to the Gate in Acridana where he finds some of his Friends who had before possess'd themselves of the Places there he stay'd for the rest of his Men who came slowly on and at length joyn'd him But the Design being discover'd the Syracusians ran Arm'd into the Forum where a great multitude of People being got together they kill'd Hermocrates and the most of his Accomplices The rest that escap'd after they had cited them to Appear in order for their several Tryals they condemn'd to Banishment Some therefore that were ill wounded were by their Friends reported to be dead to avoid the present Fury of the People Amongst whom was Dionysius who usurpt the Tyranny CHAP. XI The Acts of Callicratides the Lacedemonian General The Fight at Sea in the Harbour at Mitylene between Conon and Callicratides THUS things pass'd for
this Year at the close of which Antigenes was chosen Olymp. 93. 2. Ant. Ch. 404. Magistrate of Athens and Manius Aemilius and Caius Valerius Roman Consuls About this time Conon the Athenian Admiral made up a Fleet of those Ships that lay at Samos and sent for others from the Confederates and having now got together a considerable Navy he hasted away to fight the Enemy The Lacedemonians appointed Callicratides Admiral Lysander being discharg'd of that Command for some time This Callicratides was a very Young Man of Callicratides made Admiral of the Lacedemonians a Plain and Honest Mind and an Innocent Conversation not as yet tainted with the Vices and ill Manners of other Nations and was highly esteem'd among the Spartans for his Justice and Integrity and every Man own'd that he never swerv'd from the Rules of Justice either in Publick or Private Affairs But on the contrary if at any time any offer'd to corrupt him with Bribes he highly resented it and punish'd them accordingly Having now receiv'd his Commission he sails to Ephesus and there had the Fleet deliver'd up to him by Lysander which His Acts. with the rest that he got together from other parts made up a Navy of an hundred and forty Sail. The Athenians then lay at Anchor at * Delphinum Delphinum in Chios Against whom he made with his whole Fleet and in his way besieg'd a Fort of the Athenians the Garrison there being about five hundred were terrify'd at the greatness of the Navy and surrender'd the Place upon Articles of Safe Conduct Then Callicratides demolish'd the Fort and sail'd against †A City in Ionia Am. Chr. 404. P. 372. Teios and surprizing the Place in the Night got within the Walls and sack'd the City Passing thence to Lesbos he lay with his Army before Methymna wherein was an Athenian Garrison At first he prevail'd little tho' he press'd hard upon it with daily Assaults But not long after being let in by the Treachery of some within he sack'd the City but put none to the Sword and restor'd the Place to the Methymneans Things thus prosperously succeeding he hasten'd to Mitylene and committing the Heavy-Armed Men to Thorax the Lacedemonian commanded him to march with all speed with the Land-Army whilst he himself made with the Fleet to the Shoar In the mean time Conon the Athenian Admiral so prepar'd his Fleet Conon the Athenian Admiral which consisted of seventy Sail for a Sea-fight that he excell'd all the Admirals that were ever before him With these he came to the Aid of Methymna but when he found it was taken he lay with his Fleet at an Island one of those call'd the Hundred Islands About Break of day next Morning when he discern'd the Enemy's Fleet making up to him conceiving it not advisable to fight with a Fleet that was more than double his number he resolv'd to sail off and having snapt up some of the Enemy's Gallies by the way determin'd to fight rather at Mitylene concluding Ant. Chr. 404. that if he were Conqueror he could there pursue them with greater Advantage and if he were Conquer'd he had the Port near at hand wherein to shelter himself Upon this he Embarks all his Souldiers and commands the Rowers to row but gently and slowly that the Enemy might come up nearer to him The Lacedemonians the nearer they came were more eager to press on in confidence that they should overtake and destroy those that were behind in the Rear But Conon by degrees falling down behind the rest the Commanders of the best of the Peloponesian Ships pursu'd with all Eagerness By this Means the Rowers now wax'd faint and were drawn away far from the rest of the Fleet which Advantage being observ'd by Conon and that they now approch'd near to Mitylene he set up the Purple Flag from A Sea-fight at Mitylene between Conon and Callicratides his own Ship which was a Sign to the Officers to joyn Battle Upon which the Athenians all at one time tack't suddenly about and made upon the Enemy and the whole Fleet reiterated the ‖ A Song us'd before Battle Ant. Chr. 404. Pean and the Trumpets sounded a Charge Upon this sudden Change the Peloponesians were amaz'd and made what hast they could in this Extremity to put themselves into a Line of Battle but having so little time to tack about they were in great Confusion especially in regard the Ships where their proper place was which they had deserted were so far behind Conon therefore improving the Opportunity put into his Hands makes straight upon them and before they could put themselves in Order of Battle pierces some of their Ships through and brushes off the Oars of others But not one of those Ships that engag'd on that Wing against Conon stirr'd but with their Oars revers'd bravely kept still in one place till their whole Fleet came up But the left Wing of the Athenian Fleet put them with whom they were engag'd to flight and hotly pursu'd them a long time But when all the Peloponesian Fleet came up together Conon considering the multitude of his Enemies drew off and with forty Ships return'd to Mitylene In the mean time the whole Peloponesian Fleet which had spread themselves every way greatly amaz'd the Athenians who had before pursu'd them that fled and lying in their way to prevent their Return to the City forc'd them upon Shoar whither being closely pursu'd by the Peloponesians the Athenians seeing no other Remedy forsook their Ships and got to Land and so fled to Mitylene Callicratides having thus possess'd himself of thirty Ships and seeing that the Enemy's Fleet was now broken concluded that for the future he was to fight upon Land and therefore sail'd straight to the City Upon which Conon expecting the City would be besieg'd made what Preparation he could to block up the Mouth of the Haven For in that part where it was shallow he sunk small Vessels loaden with Stones where it was deep he fill'd great Ships of burden with Stones and P. 373. Ant. Chr. 404. sixt them with Anchors The Athenians and a great number of Mitylenes out of the Country flockt into the City through fear of the War and forthwith prepar'd all things necessary for their Defence in the Siege And now Callicratides commanded his Men to Land and incamp'd near the City and there erects a Trophy for his Naval Victory The next Day with some of his best Ships he made towards the City with a Design both to enter the Port and to break the Enemy's * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boom giving strict Command that none of them should be far from his own Ship Conon on the other hand Mans the Smaller Gallies with some of his Souldiers and places them in the Mouth of the Haven in Front against the Enemy and puts on Board the longer Vessels the other part of his Army Some likewise A
Stout Fight in Defence of the Haven at Mitylene were order'd to guard the Shallows that so the Port might be defended on every side both by Sea and by Land And he himself with his own Squadron fought in that part which was open into the Harbour They that were in the great Ships pelted the Enemies with Stones from the Main-Yard Those that were plac'd near the Shoar oppos'd them that endeavour'd to Land The Peloponesians all this while were nothing Inferior to their Enemies in Courage and Resolution for Charging with their Ships in a full Body and with the Best of thir Men upon the Decks it resembled both a Fight at Sea and Land together And they fell on with such Fury that they even Dar'd to hurl themselves upon the Fore-Castles of the Athenian Ant. Chr. 404. Ships judging that they whom they had so lately beaten were not able to stand the Shock On the other hand the Athenians and Mitylenes concluding there was no other hopes for Safety left but in Victory resolv'd to die rather than to desert their Posts This Obstinacy on both sides continu'd the Fight a long time whilst every one without the least Fear expos'd himself to all manner of Dangers Many upon the Decks were sorely gall'd by showers of Darts on every hand Some mortally wounded fell from the Decks into the Sea those that were yet untouch'd or at least unsensible of their Wounds were resolv'd notwithstanding to stand it out to the last Many were kill'd by Stones cast down upon them from the Main-yards which being both very big and thrown from an high place fell with the greater force and violence At length after the Fight had continu'd a long time and many fell on both sides Callicratides commanded a Retreat to be sounded in order to refresh his Men But not long after he puts them on board again and renews the Fight And after a long Conflict by the multitude of his Ships which overpower'd the Athenians and Valour of those upon the Decks he so far prevail'd that he drave the Athenians from their Post Upon which they fled into the inner part of the Harbour and now the Passage being open Callicratides casts Anchoâ— close to Mitylene For gaining the Place about which the Contest was he was possess'd of the whole Harbour which yet was out of the Walls of the City For the Old City is a little Island but that which is added of latter timâ—â— lies straight beyond into the Land Between those two runs a certain Euripus or Current of the Sea by which the City is more strong and defensible Mitylene besieg'd by the Lacedemonians Callicratides therefore having landed his Men besieg the City and begirt it on every side And this was the Condition of Mitylene at this time CHAP. XII Therma built in Sicily by the Carthaginians They raise Forces to invade Italy The noble Temple at Agrigentum The ancient Grandeur of that City The Riches of Gellias a Citizen there and some others Agrigentum besieg'd The Syracusians under Daphneus rout the Carthaginians near Agrigentum Imilcar seizes the Syracusian Fleet and takes all the Provision going to Agrigentum which was afterwards quit by the Inhabitants Their miserable Condition The Phalarian Bull. IN Sicily the Syracusians sent Embassadors to Carthage to complain of the late War made upon them and to persuade them to Peace for the time to come To which the Carthaginians return'd a doubtful Answer In the mean time they raise again a numerous Army and were unanimously resolv'd to do their utmost to subdue all the Cities of Sicily But before they transported their Armies P. 374. having got together out of Carthage and other Cities in Africa many that were willing to transplant themselves they built a new City call'd Therma near Therma built in Sicily by the Carthaginians Olymp. 93. 3. Ant. Chr. 403. the hot Baths in Sicily The Affairs of this Year concluded at Athens Callias was made chief Magistrate and at Rome Lucius Furius and Cneius Pompeius were created Consuls At this time the Carthaginians pusst up with their Successes in Sicily and coveting the gaining of the whole Island determin'd to that end to raise a great Army and thereof made Hannibal General the same that had raz'd Selinunte and Himera and invested him with full power for the management of the War But because he endeavour'd to excuse himself by reason of his Age they join'd Imilco in Commission with him the Son of Hanno one of the same Family These Generals consulted together and sent some eminent Carthaginians with great Sums of Money to raise Souldiers both out of Spain and the * Now call'd Majorca and Minorca near Spain Baleary Islands They rais'd likewise throughout Lybia Carthaginians and Africans and out of every City such as were most able for War There came likewise to them from the Nations and Princes of their Confederates Abroad both Mauritanians and Numidians and some from the Parts near to Cyrene Besides these there were transported into Africa Campanians hired out of Italy These Campanians they had experienc'd to be very useful to them when those whom they had left in Sicily by reason of some old Grudge they bore the Carthaginians were suspected to be ready to side with the Sicilians At length when all the Forces together were mustered at Carthage Timeus reports they were not much above an Hundred and Twenty Thousand Men but Ephorns affirms that they were Three Hundred Thousand The Carthaginians now prepare all things necessary for the Transporting of The Invasion of Sicily Ant. Chr. 403. the Army they equipt out all their Men of War and brought together no less than a Thousand Transport Ships Forty of their Gallies were sent before into Sicily which were presently encounter'd with as many by the Syracusians at Eryx where after a long and sharp Dispute Fifteen of the Carthaginian Ships were sunk the rest by the advantage of Night fled clear away When the News of this Defeat was brought to Carthage Hannibal the General sail'd away with Fifty Gallies contriving both to make the Enemy's Victory fruitless and the better likewise to secure the transport of his Army When the coming of Hannibal was nois'd through the Island all were of Opinion that he intended forthwith to transport all his Forces thither Upon which all the Cities hearing of the greatness of his Preparations and that they were now like to lay all at stake were struck with fear and amazement The Syracusians therefore sent Embassadors both to the Grecians in Italy and to the Lacedemonians to desire aid and assistance They sent Letters likewise to all the Magistrates of the Cities up and down to intreat them that they would stir up the People to join every where in Arms for the common Defence of the Liberty of their Country The Agrigentines considering the greatness of the Carthaginian Army concluded as the thing was in truth that they were likeliest first to
feel and undergo the pressure and weight of the War and therefore determin'd that all the Corn and other Fruits of the Field and every thing else that was valuable should be brought out of the Country into the City For at that time both the City and Country of the Agrigentines were very rich Ant. Chr. 403. of which it will not be inconvenient to say something here more largely Their Vineyards were large and very pleasant and most part of the Country abounded with Olives so much as that they were transported and sold at Carthage P. 375. A Description of the Riches of Agrigentum in Sicily For inasmuch as Africa at that time was not planted with this sort of Fruit the Agrigentines grew very rich by their Trading with the Lybians Many Marks of their great Wealth remain to this very Day to speak a little of which I conceive will not be a digression from the present Subject And First The stately Buildings and Ornaments of their Temples especially the Temple of Jupiter do sufficiently witness the Grandeur and Riches of the Men of that Age. The rest of the Sacred Buildings are either burnt or destroy'd by the frequent Stormings of that City When the Temple of Jupiter Olympus was near to the laying on the Roof a stop was put to the Building by the War and the City being afterwards sackt the Agrigentines were never able from that time to this Day to finish it This Temple at Agrigentum was Three Hundred and Forty Foot in length Threescore in breadth The Description of the Olympian Temple in Agrigentum Ant. Ch. 403. and in height besides the Foundation an Hundred and Twenty It 's the greatest in the Island and for the largeness of its Foundation may compare with any other elsewhere For though the Design was never finished yet the ancient Platform is still visible for whereas some build up their Temples only with Walls or compass them round with Pillars this is built both with the one and the other for together with the Walls there rise lofty Pillars round on the outside of the Wall and Foursquare within The Compass of every one of these Pillars on the outside are Twenty Foot and so far distant one from another as that a Man may well stand between each within they are of the compass of Twelve Foot The largeness and height of the Portico's are wonderful on the East Side of which is carv'd the Giants War of exquisite and incomparable Workmanship On the West Side is carv'd the Destruction of Troy where may be seen all the brave Heroes and Commanders in their proper Habits most admirably represented In those former times likewise there was a Pond out of the Walls of the City cut by Art * Near a Mile Seven Furlongs in Compass and †About Ten Yards Twenty Cubits in depth Into this with wonderful Art were drawn Currents of Water by which they were abundantly supply'd with all sorts of Fish ready for their use at all publick Entertainments Upon this Pond likewise fell Multitudes of Swans and other Fowl which entertain'd the Spectators with great Delight The Grandeur of the City was likewise apparent by the stateliness of the Ant. Chr. 403. Sepulchers some of which were adorn'd with the charging Horses of the Heroes there interr'd others with those little Birds that the Children both Girls and Boys fed and bred up in their Parents Houses All which Timeus affirms he saw in his time In the Ninety Second Olympiad there were no less than Three Hundred Chariots of Agrigentum all with white Horses that attended upon Exenetus the Victor at the Olypmick Games and brought him mounted in a stately Chariot with great Pomp into the City Their nice and delicate way of Living till it came to their very Children both as to their Food and Raiment was to that degree that they wore Garments of Cloth of Gold and had their Water-Pots and Boxes of Ointment of Gold and Silver There was one Gellias the Richest Man of all the Agrigentines at that time who built several Gellias's Riches Rooms for publick Entertainment in his own House and plac'd Porters at his Gates charging them to invite all Strangers that pass'd by to come in to be his Guests Many others of the Agrigentines imitated his Example who made it their business after the ancient manner to converse freely and courteously with them they thus invited And therefore Empedocles says thus of them Hospitibus sancti portus sine labe malorum It happen'd once that Five Hundred Gelonian Horsemen came to his House in Ant. Chr. 403. Winter-time whom he liberally entertain'd and furnish'd every one of 'em out of his Wardrobe with Cloaks and Coats Polyclitus in his History declares P. 376. that when he was a Souldier in Agrigentum he saw a Wine-Cellar in his House in which were contain'd Three Hundred great * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vessels cut out of one and the same Rock each of which receiv'd an Hundred †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hogsheads And that near to these was plac'd a Cistern of pure white temper'd Mortar containing a Thousand Hogsheads out of which the Liquor ran into the Vessels It 's said that this Gellias was of a very mean Presence Gellias a Rich Man of Aggenmtum of mean Aspect but admirable Parts but of admirable Parts and Ingenuity Being once sent an Embassador to the ‖ Centuripines a People in Sicily Their City call'd Centuripinum Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 3. c. 8. Centuripines when he enter'd into the Assembly all the People fell a Laughing seeing the mean Aspect of the Man so disagreeable to his great Fame and Reputation in the World Upon which he made this sharp Retort That what they saw in him was not to be wonder'd at because the Agrigentines always send the comliest and handsomest Men to the noblest Cities but to those that were mean and of little note such as himself And not only Gellias but likewise many other Agrigentines were very rich Antisthenes another rich Man Antisthenes surnam'd Rhodes at the Marriage of his Daughter feasted all the Citizens through every Street and procur'd above Eight Hundred Chariots to attend upon the Bride And not only Horsemen out of the City but many who were invited out of the Country went before the new Marry'd Lady in Ant. Chr. 403. great Pomp and Splendour To add to the Solemnity of the Day there were great Preparations for Illuminations in the City for he order'd that as soon as they saw a Flame of Fire upon the top of the Castle the Altars in all the Temples and the Piles of Wood in all the Streets and the Fewel he had prepar'd and provided in the Taverns should be kindled together all at the same moment Whose Command being observ'd at the very same instant when the Bride was led forth by a Multitude that bore Torches before her the whole City was
as it were in a Flame and the common Streets and Ways of the City were not able to contain those that attended at this Solemnity all were so zealous to further and incourage the Gallantry and Magnificence of the Man At that time there were more than Twenty Thousand Citizens of Agrigentum but taking in Strangers with them they were no less than †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two Hundred Thousand It is reported of Antisthenes when he saw his Son pressing upon a poor Man his Neighbour and would force him to sell a little Spot of Land to him he chid his Son and advis'd him to forbear a while but his covetous Desire encreasing the more he told him he should not strive to make his Neighbour Poor but rather desire he should become Rich for being Rich he would covet a greater piece of Land which when he was not able to pay for lack of ready Money he would be content to raise Money by the Sail of that which he then had In short the Excess and Luxury of the Agrigentines by reason of their Ant. Ch. 403. Riches was such that not long after in the very height of the Siege which ended in the Sacking of the City a Decree was made that none of them that were upon the Guard in the Night should have above a Bed a Tent a Woollen Mantle and Two Pillows When this seem'd a hard Law and disturbance to their Ease and Repose we may easily judge how soft and luxurious they were in all other things As we were not willing to let these things pass altogether so we shall now break off lest we omit things more useful and necessary The Carthaginians having landed their Forces in Sicily marcht straight against Agrigenttum besieg'd by the Carthaginians the Agrigentines and divided their Army into Two Parts and incamp'd in Two several Places one Camp was upon certain Hills where were plac'd Forty Thousand Spaniards and Africans the other was near the City fortify'd with a deep Trench and a Wall At the first they sent Embassadors to the Agrigentines P. 377. to invite them to join with them as Confederates and if they did not approve of that then that they would be neuters and enter into League of Peace and Amity with the Carthaginians When both Offers were rejected they forthwith press'd on the Siege with all Vigour Upon this the Agrigentines listed all that were able to bear Arms and marshall'd them some of which they plac'd upon the Walls and others were appointed as Reserves to relieve their Fellows as occasion offered Dexippus the Lacedemonian was the Man that directed them in all things who was lately come to their Assistance with Five Ant. Chr. 403. Hundred Souldiers from Gela For he liv'd about that time as Timeus relates at Gela in great Esteem for the sake of his Country And therefore Application was made to him by them of Agragentum that he would hire as many Souldiers as possibly he could and come to their Relief Besides these they hir'd Eight Hundred Campanians who had formerly serv'd under Imilcar These kept the Hill Athenea which lay over and commanded the City a very commodious Post Imilcar and Hannibal the Carthaginian Generals having view'd the Walls and found out a Place where it was most easie to enter brought Two Towers of Agrigentum Besieg'd incredible bigness against the City The first Day out of these they made an Assault and after they had kill'd and cut off many of the Citizens sounded a Retreat The next Night the Besieg'd made a Sally and burnt the Engines But Hannibal intending to assault the Town in several Places at once commanded his Souldiers to pull down all the Monuments and Tombs and with the Rubbish to raise Mounts as high as the Walls which was presently done forwarded by so great a Multitude But then a sudden Pang of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Religion seiz'd upon the Army for Thero's Monument a large and stately Structure was beaten down by a Thunderbolt which by the advice of some of the Soothsayers then present put a stop to the perfecting of the Design and forthwith the Plague A Plague among the Carthaginians Ant. Chr. 403. broke out in the Army by which many were destroyed in a short time and not a few seiz'd with tormenting and miserable Pains among whom Hannibal himself perish'd Some that were upon the Watch reported they saw in the Night the Apparitions of them that were dead Upon this Imilcar seeing the Souldiers were possess'd with the fear and awe of the Gods first forbore to demolish the Sepulchers Afterwards he made according to the Custom of his Country Supplications to the Deities and sacrific'd a Boy to Saturn and threw Note the malice of the Devil and the blindness of the poor Heathens a Company of Priests into the Sea as a Sacrifice to Neptune Notwithstanding all this Imilcar forsook not the Siege but choaking up the River with Rubbish close to the Walls brought up his Engines and renew'd his Assaults every Day In the mean time the Syracusians weighing the Condition of the Agrigentines and fearing lest they should undergo the same Fate with them of Himera and Selinunte were desirous to send them aid And to that end having encreas'd their Army by the Forces of their Confederates from Italy and Messina they made Daphneus General and having mustered the Army they set forwards and in their March were join'd by the Camarineans Geleans and some others out of the heart of the Country and all marcht strait for Agrigentum having a Fleet of Thirty Gallies which sail'd all along over against them near the Shoar Daphneus had with him above Thirty Thousand Foot and no less than Five Thousand Horse Imilcar upon intelligence of the approach of the Enemy sent forth against them the †Spaniards Iberians and Campanians and no less than Forty Thousand out of the rest of the Army When the Syracusians had pass'd the River Himera they were met by the Barbarians Upon which Battel was join'd and after the Dispute Ant. Chr. 403. had continu'd a long time at length the Syracusians got the Day who routed the whole Army with the Slaughter of above Six Thousand Men and The Carthaginians routed pursu'd the rest to the very City But the Syracusian General perceiving his Men to be in disorder and confusion by their Pursuit began to fear lest Imilcar breaking in upon them with the rest of his Army should recover the Day for he remembred how Himereus had formerly lost all by such an Oversight The P. 378. Barbarians flying into that part of the Camp which lay nearest to Agrigentum the Besieged concluded they were beaten and fled and therefore earnestly desir'd their Commanders that they would lead them forth crying out Now was the time come for the utter ruin and destruction of their Enemies But the Officers whether corrupted by Money as it was reported
or possess'd with fear lest Imilcar should slip into the Town when the Souldiers were gone forth would not stir but commanded the Souldiers to abide within the Town by which means they that fled came safe into the Camp But Daphneus march'd forward and incamp'd in the place where the Enemy before lay to whom flockt presently the Souldiers out of the Town with Dexippus and forthwith a Council of War was held where all shew'd themselves very uneasie and discontented that the opportunity was neglected in taking full Revenge of the Conquer'd Ant. Chr. 40. Barbarians and that their Officers when they might have so easily destroy'd them by a Sally out of the Town had suffer'd so many Ten Thousands clearly to escape Hereupon a Tumult arising in the Assembly with a great noise and clamour one Menes a Camarinean one of the Officers stood up and accused the Commanders of Agrigentum to such a degree that he so exasperated the whole Assembly that they that were accus'd could not be heard to speak for themselves but Four of them were out of hand ston'd by the inraged Multitude The Fifth call'd Argeus in favour of his Youth was discharged Dexippus likewise the Lacedemonian was ill spoken of that he who was General of so considerable a Body of Men and ever esteem'd a Man more expert in Martial Affairs than most others should carry it so basely and treacherously After the Council was broke up Daphneus endeavour'd to force the Carthaginians Camp but discerning it to be excellently well Fortify'd drew off Then he blockt up all the Passages with his Horse intercepted the Forragers and prevented all Provision being brought in to the Enemy whereby they were reduc'd to great straits and necessities for not daring to ingage and yet in the mean time starving for want of Bread their Misery was the greater and many were famish'd to Death Upon this the Campanians and almost all the rest of the Mercenaries in a Body came to Imilcar's Tent to demand their allowance of Bread and threatned to fall off to the Enemy if they had it not But Imilcar being inform'd that the Syracusians had loaded their Ships with abundance of Corn for Agrigentum upon which he rely'd as his last shift persuaded the Souldiers to be patient Ant. Chr. 403. a few Days and in the mean time pawn'd to them the drinking Vessels of the Carthaginian Souldiers Hereupon he sent for Forty Gallies from Panormus and Motya and lay in wait for the Ships that brought the Provision For the Syracusians never suspected the Carthaginians durst appear at Sea being now Winter and who had some time before lost their Power and Dominion there Therefore sailing on with great assurance they were on a sudden attack'd by Imilcar with Forty Sail who presently sunk Eight of their Ships and drave the rest upon the Shoar All which being thus taken the Scene of Affairs was so chang'd on both sides that the Campanians that were with the Agrigentines P. 379. perceiving the desperate Condition of the Grecians corrupted with Fifteen Talents fell away to the Carthaginians Besides the Agrigentines at the beginning of the Siege when things went ill with the Carthaginians were very profuse and prodigal both in their Corn and other things and therefore when the Affairs of the Barbarians were much alter'd to their advantage the Besieg'd being so many Thousands penn'd up together were insensibly and by degrees brought into great want It 's reported that Dexippus the Lacedemonian also was brib'd with Fifteen Talents for he on a sudden told the Italian Commanders that it was better to withdraw and carry on the War in some other Place for here they were likely to be starv'd The Officers therefore considering of Ant. Chr. 403. what he had said march'd away with the Army to the Sea as if now the time limited by their Commissions had been determin'd After their departure the Generals with the other Officers met in a Council of War and ordered that an Account should be taken what Provision was left in the City and when a Return was made of the Scarcity they saw it was absolutely necessary to quit the Place whereupon they commanded all to be ready to be gone the next Night Upon this there was a lamentable out-cry The lamentable Condition of the Inhabitants of Agrigentum in every House throughout the whole City of Men Women and Children being in a distraction through fear and dread of the Enemy on the one hand and care of their Goods and Estates on the other which now they must be forc'd in a great measure to leave to the Rapine of the Barbarians and as an aggravation being those very things wherein a little before they plac'd their happiness However at length seeing that Fortune had stript them of all their Riches they judg'd it was wisdom to do what they could to save their Lives Then might be seen not only the mighty wealth of a flourishing City forsaken but also a multitude of miserable People left behind for those that were sick and infirm were disregarded by them of their own Family whilst every one sought to preserve himself and those that through Old Age could not remove were in the like condition Many that preferr'd Death before the Ant. Chr. 403. leaving of their Country kill'd themselves chusing rather to dye in their own Houses But that multitude of People that did go forth were guarded by the Souldiers to Gela so that all the Ways and Country towards Gela swarm'd with a promiscuous multitude of Women and Children amongst whom were young Ladies who though they had now chang'd their former soft and delicate way of Living into the fatigues and sorrows of tedious Journeys yet being quickned and stirr'd up by fear bore all Difficulties with eminent Patience They all came at length safe to Gela and afterwards Leontium was given to them by the Syracusians to inhabit Imilcar entring the City with his Army not without some fear and jealousie Agirgentum taken by the Carthagineans kill'd almost all he found in it not sparing those that fled into the Temples for refuge but haling of them from the Altars slew them with great cruelty There it s said Gellias who was so eminent above the rest of his Countrymen in the greatness of his Wealth and integrity of his Conversation ended his Life with the Loss of his Country For he with some others fled to the Temple of Minerva hoping the Carthaginians would not commit any outrages against the Gods But when he perceiv'd the cursed Impiety of the Men he set Fire to the Temple and together with the Wealth that was there consecrated to the Gods burnt himself by one act preventing Three Evils as he conceiv'd the Impiety of Gellias burns himself in the Temple the Enemy against the Gods the Rapine and Plunder of the vast Treasure that was there and that which was the greatest the abuse of his own Body Imilcar having spoil'd
but hatred to themselves and more love and favour to him Dionysius did this for that he look'd upon the Exiles to be Men fit for his purpose such as were given to change and therefore ready Tools to make use of to serve his Ambition who would delight to see their Enemies Throats cut their Goods and Estates confiscate and themselves restor'd The Decree therefore for the recalling the Banish'd being publish'd they presently return'd And now Letters coming from Gela to desire Assistance to be speedily sent them Dionysius made use of this fair opportunity for the carrying on his Design for he forthwith marched to Gela with Two Thousand Foot and Four Dionysius relieves Gela. Hundred Horse where Dexippus the Lacedemonian was Governor with a strong Garrison When he found the City in a Seditious Uproar rais'd by some against the People he condemns them that were accus'd in a Publick Assembly puts them to Death and confiscates their Estates and with part of the Mony paid the Souldiers that were in Garrison under Dexippus all their old Arrears and the rest he distributed amongst the Souldiers that came with him from Syracuse declaring their Pay order'd by the City should be double By this Ant. Chr. 403. means he wan both the Hearts of the Souldiers at Gela and of those that went with him thither The Geleans likewise cry'd him up to the Skies as one that had freed them from Slavery So that out of Envy to the great Men of the City they decreed the Supream Power to Dionysius Upon which they sent Ambassadors to Syracuse to publish there his Praises and likewise to shew the Decrees of the City by which they had honour'd him with many marks of respect In the mean time Dionysius endeavour'd to bring over Dexippus into his Councils P. 382. but not being able to prevail he determin'd to return to Syracuse with all his Forces But the Geleans hearing that the Carthaginians had determin'd to set upon their City with their whole Power before any other earnestly intreated Dionysius that he would not leave them nor suffer their City to undergo the same Calamity with them of Agrigentum To whom he promis'd to return in a short time with greater Forces and so left Gela. Afterwards when the People came from the Theater from the Plays Dionysius at that very Hour return'd into Syracuse whereupon the Citizens came thronging about him and inquir'd what News he brought concerning the Carthaginians To whom he answer'd That he had nothing to say of them in regard their own Officers and Governors were more mischievous to the Commonwealth than the Enemies themselves for whilst the Citizens led away Ant. Chr. 403. by their Flatteries were diverted with Sports and Plays they themselves impoverished the Commonwealth and defrauded the Souldiers of their Pay And now that the Enemy at this very time is making incredible Preparation for War and are even upon the Borders of Syracuse with a mighty Army yet it is not at all by them regarded To what end they acted thus he suspected long since but now he saw clearly their Drift For Imilcar he said had sent by an Herald to him pretending to redeem some Captives but in truth secretly to persuade him not to use that Authority he had to pry too narrowly into things that were in doing or at least not to obstruct them if he was not willing to join in the Execution Therefore he declar'd he was not willing any longer to be General but was ready to lay down his Commission For it was altogether intollerable that he only should hazard the loss of all he had with the rest of the Citizens whilst others made Merchandize of their Country Yea by this means he should become Partaker with them in their Treachery The People being inrag'd by what he had said and his Words divulg'd through the whole Army every one went to his own House in great fear and perplexity The next Day an Assembly was called where he loaded his Fellow Commanders with many Accusations and by stirring up the People against them greatly advanced his own Reputation At length some in the Assembly cry'd out to make him Generalissimo and not to have the thing to be done when the Enemy was even Battering the Walls alledging that the greatness of the War requir'd a General that was able to do eminent Service for the Commonwealth And for the Traitors it was better to inquire of them in another Ant. Chr. 403. Assembly hereafter being now it was not so agreeable to the present posture of Affairs It was also remembred that heretofore when Gelon had sole the Command they had overcome * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dionysius made sole General Three Hundred Thousand Carthaginians Upon this the People who are always apt to close with the worst Advice suddenly made Dionysius General with sole and absolute Power After things thus succeeded according to his Hearts Desire he sign'd an Order that the Souldiers should receive double Pay alledging that hereby they would be encouraged to fight more readily and chearfully and bid the Syracusians not trouble or disturb themselves about Money for there would be ways readily found out to bring in sufficient Supplies But when the Assembly was broken up there were many of the Syracusians that condemn'd what was done as if they had had no hand in confirming it For after they had more seriously considered the thing they foresaw Tyranny would follow Thus while they sought after Freedom they most imprudently plac'd a Tyrant over their Country Dionysius therefore to prevent the change of the Peoples Minds began to contrive how he might procure a Guard for his Person If he could gain this point he concluded he could easily fix himself in the Sovereignty Upon this he commanded all that were able to bear Arms not above Forty Years of Age with Thirty Days Provision and their Arms to march to the City Leontium For this City was a Garrison belonging to the Syracusians full of P. 383. Strangers and Exiles whom he hop'd would be assistant to him being Men given to Innovations and to this he was the more encouraged for that he Ant. Chr. 403. knew but few of the Syracusians would be there For the better effecting of this Design he encamp'd all Night in the Field and as he lay there he Dionysius his Project to get a Guard feign'd a Plot against his own Person and caus'd a great Noise and Clamour to be made by his Servants and Attendants upon which he fled to the Castle Where after he had kindled several Fires he sent for a strong Guard and so pass'd that Night As soon as it was Day and the Multitude were got together into the †Leontium City he used many probable Arguments suted to the matter in Hand and brought over the People to give him liberty to chuse Six Hundred Men such as he thought best for his Guard And herein Dionysius
is said to imitate Pisistratus the Athenian for he wilfully wounding himself as if he had been assaulted by Treachery came forthwith into the Assembly and by that means as it 's reported got a Guard from the Citizens by whose help he gain'd the Supream Authority By the same Fraud Dionysius cheating the People became absolute Lord and Master over his Country for he presently chose above a Thousand Men such as were strong in Body and low in Purse and put them in Arms and encouraged them with many large and glorious Promises Then he brought all the Mercenary Souldiers to an intire Observance and Obedience to him by his winning and courteous Speeches He made an alteration likewise in the Ant. Ch. 403. Regiments giving Commissions to them that he could most trust Then he sent away Dexippus the Lacedemonian into Greece for he suspected him lest he should become an Head to the Syracusians in case they should take an occasion to seek to recover their Liberty And now he sends for the Mercenaries from Gela and gets together from every Place all the Exiles and Lewd Fellows not doubting but by the help of these to establish himself in the Kingdom After his Return to Syracuse when he had lodg'd his Forces in the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dionysius declares himself King Arsenal he openly declar'd himself King The Syracusians took this grievously but were necessitated to be silent because it was not in their power to do any thing else For the whole City was full of Strangers that were in Arms and all were in fear of the Carthaginians who had a vast Army near at Hand Dionysius now presently marries the Daughter of Hermocrates he who had routed the Athenians in Sicily and gave his own Sister in Marriage to Polyxenus Hermocrates his Brother in Law This he did to strengthen himself by matching into an Honourable Family After this he summon'd a General Council and contrived all ways imaginable how to be rid of Daphneus and Demarchus the most powerful of all his Adversaries Thus Dionysius from a Scrivener and a Man of poor and mean Abstract got the Sovereignty of the greatest City among the Grecians and maintain'd Ant. Chr. 403. his Dominion all the Days of his Life for the space of Thirty Eight Years What things he afterwards did and how he inlarged his Dominion we shall relate in its proper Place For very probably he gain'd the largest Dominion and of the longest continuance of any that ever hath been compass'd by Usurpation After the Taking of the City Agrigentum the Carthaginians transported to Carthage all the dedicated things laid up in the Temples the Statues and Things of greatest value and having burnt all the Temples to Ashes and plunder'd the City they quarter'd there all Winter And in the mean time furnish'd themselves with Engines and all sorts of Weapons with a Design to Besiege Gela the first thing they did the next Spring CHAP. XIV The Famous Battle of Arginuse at Sea wherein the Athenians were Victors The Officers accus'd for not Burying the Dead The Speech of Diomedon The Death of Sophocles THE Athenians weaken'd with continual Losses made all Strangers and Foreigners Free of their City that would engage with them in the War When a great multitude were Incorporated into the City the Commanders Listed all that were fit for War Equip'd out of a Fleet of Sixty Sail with which every way well provided they sail'd to Samos where they found other Commanders who had brought together Fourscore more Gallies from other Islands and having procured P. 384. ten more from the Samians they weighed Anchor and made with their whole Fleet consisting of an Hundred and Fifty Sail to the Islands * Three Islands lying between Lesbos and Eolis near to Cane Arginuse with a Design to raise the Siege at Mitylene But Callicratides the Lacedemonian General having Intelligence of the Approach of the Enemy left Etonicus with a great Force to maintain the Siege and sail'd himself with all Speed with a Fleet of one Hundred and forty Sail well Man'd to Arginuse These Islands were then inhabited and had a little Town in them Peopl'd by the Eolians They lye between Mitylene and Cuma near to the Continent and the Promontory †Or Cane Ant. Ch. 403. Catanides The Athenians in regard their Navy The Famous Battle of Arginuse lay not far from thence heard time enough of the Advance of the Enemy's Fleet yet because the Wind was very high they wav'd fighting that day and prepar'd to engage the next The like did the Lacedemonians for the Augures on both sides disswaded each from fighting For the Head of the Lacedemonians Sacrifice being laid upon the Shore was suddainly wash'd away by the violence of the Waves Upon which the Priest foretold the death of the Admiral To which it is reported Callicratides made Answer That the Glory of Sparta would not be obscur'd by his Death Thrasybulus likewise the Athenians Admiral who had the Chief Command that Day had this Dream the Night before he dreamt that he and six other Commanders in a full Theater at Athens acted the Tragedy of Euripides call'd Phenissa and that the Enemies acted that call'd The Suppliants and that at length he obtain'd a ‖ Thebes was built by Cadmus and call'd Cadmea and the Thebans lost so many tho' they got the Victory in the Old War of Thebes that it was call'd Cadmea Victoria The seven Generals that came against Thebes were all kill'd but one See Diodor. lib. 4. 267 268. Cadmean Victory and all of them were kill'd like those at the Siege of Thebes which when the Sooth-sayer heard he interpreted it That seven of the Chief Commanders should fall in the Fight But in regard that the Intrails portended Victory they commanded nothing should be said of their Deaths but only to their Friends but that they should publish abroad to the whole Army that Victory was certainly promis'd by the View of the Sacrifices Then Callicratides calling the Souldiers together made a Speech to them suited to the Occasion and further added I am so chearful and ready to undergo all hazards for The Brave Speech of Callicratides the sake of my Country that altho' the Augur has foretold my Death by the Portents of the Sacrifice yet inasmuch as he has also pronounc'd assured Victory to You I am impatient of delay and ready and willing presently to die And that the Army may not Ant. Chr. 404. be disturb'd and in confusion by the Death of their Admiral I now appoint another who may succeed me in case I fall and that is Clearchus a Man known to be an experienc'd good Souldier Callicratides stirr'd up many with these words to imitate his Valour and to hasten the Battle The Lacedemonians now encouraging one another imbarqu'd so likewise the Athenians hearten'd by their Officers went aboard and every one plac'd themselves according to their Squadrons
For whereas they might before have easily made Theramenes and the rest of his Party their Patrons and Advocats in the Accusations laid against them being Men that were excellent Speakers and of great Interest and that which was most considerable were best acquainted with every thing that was done in the Battle Now on the contrary they had so Ant. Chr. 403. far disoblig'd 'em that they became their most bitter Enemies and Prosecutors For when the Letters were read to the People they were presently all on fire against Theramenes But he having clear'd himself their Rage was all turn'd again upon the other Officers The People therefore assign'd 'em a Day to be heard and order'd the Forces to be deliver'd over to Conon whom they exempted from this Bill all the rest they commanded by an Absolute Decree forthwith to return Among whom Aristogenes and Protomachus fearing the Rage of the People fled But Thrasyllus Calliades Lysias Pericles and Aristocrates return'd to Athens with agreat number of Ships upon this Confidence that by the Mediation of those they had brought along with them who were very many they should be acquit But after the Assembly came together the People yielded a quick Ear to the Accusations and whatever the * The Orators or Counsel for the People Demagogues said it was well taken but when the Accus'd began to speak a Tumult arose and they could not be heard in their own Defence And besides the Relations of them that were kill'd did no little further their Ruin who came weeping and wailing into the Senate earnestly desiring that the Commanders might suffer for their Neglect The Brave Athenian Officers put to Death by the People in not Burying them who had valiantly lost their Lives for their Country At length the Friends of the Dead and those that prosecuted with Theramenes of whom many were then present prevail'd And thereupon the Commanders were condemn'd to die and their Estates to be conficate Sentence being thus given just as they were leading to Execution by the ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sheriffs Lictors Diomedon one of them an Excellent Souldier and reputed a Just Man and Eminent in all other Virtuous Qualifications stood up and Silence being made through the whole Assembly thus began Ye Men The Speech of Diomedon of Athens we heartily wish that the Sentence now pronounc'd against us may issue in the Prosperity and Happiness of this City But since Fortune has prevented us Ant. Ch. 403. from paying our Vows and giving Thanks to the Gods for the Victory 't is most just and fit You should perform it See therefore that Ye do it to Jove to Apollo and P. 387. the Glorious Goddesses for by Prayers to them we have overcome the Enemy When he had said this he was hurry'd away with the rest to Execution many of the Best of the Citizens bemoaning his Fate with Tears For he who now went to suffer never in the least complain'd of the Hardness of his Case but only advis'd his Countrymen who then acted so wickedly to make their Addresses to the Gods which was a clear Indication of a Man of a Pious and Generous Spirit little deserving such base and unworthy Usage In short the Eleven Commanders were all put to Death by the Officers appointed by Law tho' they had never done the City the least Injury but on the contrary benefited their Country by a Victory gain'd in a Sea-Fight the Greatest that was ever fought by Grecians against Grecians and besides were Men whose Valour had been remarkable in several Battles and who had had Statues before erected in Memory of their Victories The People were then so desperately mad and Ant. Ch. 403. enrag'd by the Orators beyond all Bounds of Justice that they gratify'd their Anger and Revenge upon Men that were not only Innocent but deserv'd rather Honour and Rewards But not long after both the Accusers that stir'd up the People and the People themselves who gave Credit to their Criminations sorely Repented of what was done as if God himself had taken Revenge of them for the Fact For they that were so willing to be deluded by these Malicious Instigations not long after receiv'd the Reward of their Folly when not One but thirty Domineering Masters were by force set over them Then was Callixeus he that gave Sentence of Death against the Accus'd upon this Change of the People charg'd as one that had deceiv'd them and without being admitted to any Defence was Committed and carry'd to the Common-Goal but by the help of some Friends breaking through the Walls he fled to the Enemy at Deoelea so that by the Avoiding of Death at this time he was pointed at as it were by the Finger for his Notorious Wickedness not only at Athens but amongst all the other Grecians abroad all the Days of his Life after These are almost all the Things that are reported to be done this Year Amongst Philistus the Historian the Writers Philistus concludes the First Part of the Affairs of Sicily with this Year and with the Taking of Agrigentum comprehending in seven Volumes the History of above Eight hundred Years He begins the other Part where the former ended and proceeds in his Relations contain'd in four Books About this Time died Sophocles the Death of Sophocles Tragedian the Son of Theophilus ninety Years of Age. He gain'd eighteen Victories upon the Stage It 's reported of him That when he Acted his last Tragedy and Euripides came off Conqueror he fell into so violent a Laughter that he fell down dead Appollodorus Ant. Chr. 403. a Writer of Chronicles reports that Euripides likewise died this Year But others relate That being entertain'd with Archelaus King of Macedonia once walking abroad into the Fields some Dogs met him by whom he was torn in pieces and so miserably perish'd a little before this Year CHAP. XV. Lysander made Sole Admiral of the Lacedemonian Fleet. He takes Caramium The Ruin of the Athenian Fleet at Aegos Potamos Athens taken by Lysander The End of the Peloponesian War THE Year next before being ended Alexias was made Archon of Athens this Year Olymp. 93. 4. and at Rome three Military Tribunes again executed the Places of Consuls Caius Julius Publius Cornelius and Caius Servilius During their Magistracy after the Commanders An. M. 3567. were put to Death the Athenians made Philocles General of the Army and Ant. Chr. 403. delivering the Fleet to him sent him away to Conon Commissioning them with a Philocles and Conon joyntly Commission'd Joynt-Power in the Management of the War When he came to Conon at Samos he Man'd all the Ships to the number of an hundred seventy three Twenty of these he left there and with the rest he and Conon set Sail for the Hellespont Lysander in the mean time High-Admiral of the Lacedemonian Fleet with 35 Sail P. 388. which he had got
together from Peloponesus and their Confederates next adjoyning Ant. Chr. 403. pass'd over to Ephesus and fitted out a Fleet which he sent for from Chios Then he goes to Cyrus the Son of Darius and receives from him a great Sum of Mony for A cruel Sedition at Miletus Payment of the Army Cyrus being sent for by his Father into Persia intrusts the Management of the Affairs of his Provinces to Lysander and commands all the Tribute The Feast of Bachus Vsher's Annal. 161. to be pay'd to him who being now fully supply'd with all things necessary for the War returns to Ephesus At this Time some in Miletus that favour'd an Oligarchy by the help of the Lacedemonians abolish'd the Democracy And to that End in the beginning of the Sedition when the Dionysian Festivals were celebrated forty that were the Greatest Enemies against their Faction were surpriz'd in their Houses and murther'd Afterwards observing their Opportunity when the Forum was full of People they cut off the Heads of 300 of the Richest of the Citizens In the mean time above 1000 of the most Considerable Persons of Quality who were for the Democracy afraid of the Present imminent Danger fled to Pharnabasus the Persian Lord-Lieutenant who receiv'd them very courteously and bestow'd upon every one a * Worth 15 Shill English Stater of Gold and order'd †The Island mention'd Acts 27. 16. Vsh An. 161. Clauda a Castle of Claudia for their Residence Lysander with a great Navy making for ‖ This is said to be mistaken for Caramium a Bay in Caria for that Thasus is an Isle and lies far off and was taken some time after Vsh Ann. 160. Aemil. Probus in the Life of Lysand Thasus a City of Caria in League with the Athenians takes it by Storm and puts all the Men to the number of 800 to the Sword and sold all the Women and Children for Slaves and raz'd the City to the Ground After this he sail'd to Attica and many other Places but did nothing memorable Therefore we have nothing to write further concerning these Matters The Sum of all is having taken Lampsatus he dismiss'd the Athenian Garrison there and sent them Home and after he had ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sub hasta vendidit Ant. Ch. 404. plunder'd the City restor'd it to the Inhabitants The Athenian Admirals having Intelligence that the Lacedemonians had besieg'd Lampsacus with all their Forces got together all their Fleet from every place and with all speed made for Lampsacus with an hundred and fourscore Sail but hearing that it was taken they Anchor'd at †In the Strait of the Hellespont Aegos Potamos and there lay Not long after they weigh'd Anchor and made out against the Enemy and dar'd them every Day to a Battle but when the Peloponesians would not stir the Athenians began to consider what was best to be done for that they could not stay long there with the Fleet. Hereupon Alcibiades came to them and assur'd them that Medocus and Seuthes Kings of the Thracians who were his special Friends had offer'd him a great Army if he would fight against the Lacedemonians and therefore if he might have some share in the Command he ingag'd either to force the Lacedemonians to sight at Sea or to fight them at Land by an Army out of Thrace This Alcibiades did to evidence how great his desire was to procure some Eminent Advantage to his Country and by fresh Service to regain their former good Opinion of him But the Athenian Commanders Ant. Chr. 403. concluded that if matters fell out ill all the Blame would be laid upon them and if well Alcibiades would reap all the Honour of the Victory Therefore they order'd him to withdraw and not to come near the Army for the future The Enemy still avoiding a Fight and Provision growing scarce in the Army Philocles The Surprize of the Athenians at Aegos Potamos Egos or Potamos who commanded that day order'd the rest of the Officers of the Fleet to ship their Men and follow him who having thirty Sail in readiness forthwith loos'd out of the Harbour Lysander having Intelligence of this by some Deserters makes out to Sea with his whole Navy puts Philocles to Flight and sails up to the rest of the Athenian Fleet. Hereupon the Athenians which lay there in regard they had but few of their Men on Board were all in a great Fear and Consternation through the unexpected Approach of the Enemy Lysander therefore understanding the Confusion and Disorder of his Enemy's Fleet commanded Etonicus on Shoar with the Land-Army who P. 389. forthwith being now landed judg'd it highly necessary to improve the present Opportunity and therefore suddainly forces into part of the Enemy's Camp And Lysander himself coming up with all his Fleet well Man'd and provided hal'd as many of the Athenian Vessels as there were in the Harbour with Grappling-Irons to the Shoar Upon this the Athenians were so amaz'd and struck with such a suddain astonishment Ant. Chr. 40◠not having time either to make out to Sea with their Ships or to form themselves into a Body at Land so that after a short Resistance they turn'd their Backs Hereupon some forsook their Ships others fled out of the Camp every one seeking where he could best preserve himself Scarce ten of all the Commanders and Officers of the Fleet escap'd amongst whom was Conon who not daring to return to Athens out of fear of the People fled to Evagoras Prince of Cyprus his special góod Friend Many of the Souldiers fled by Land to Sestos Lysander possess'd himself of all the rest of the Fleet and took Philocles one of the Generals prisoner and carry'd him to Lampsacus where he put him to death Then he commanded Messengers to Lacedemon The total Rout of the Athenians at Aegos Potamos to carry the News of the Victory and order'd one of the Best of the Gallies to transport 'em magnificently adorning it with the Arms and Spoils taken from the Enemy Next he march'd with his whole Army to Sestos in pursuit of those that fled thither took the City and dismiss'd the Athenians upon Terms From thence he sail'd with all speed to Samos and forthwith prepares to besiege the City but sent away Gylippus he who so eminently assisted the Syracusians at Sea to Sparta with fifteen Ant. Chr. 403. hundred Talents of Silver besides the Spoils The Mony was made up in little Bags and to every Bag was fix'd a * A little Thong of Parchment wrapt about a Staff and then taken off which would agree exactly with another Staff at Sparta when it was lapt about it and so the Letters could be read Seytale upon which was written the Sum of Mony therein contain'd Gylippus being ignorant of what was done unties the Bags and takes out three hundred Talents but his Theft being discover'd to the Ephori by the Scytales he
fled and thereupon was condemâ—'d to die Clearchus the Father of Gylippus in former times for his having receiv'd Mony of Pericles not to invade Attica likewise fled and was adjudg'd to die and liv'd all his Days a Banish'd Man among the Thurians in Italy These two Men who were otherwise Virtuous yet by these sordid Acts stain'd and blemish'd all the Worthy Actions of the rest of their Lives When the Athenians were fully satisfy'd that they were totally ruin'd they determin'd to strive no longer to be Masters at Sea but now employ'd all their Care to repair their Walls and block't up the Haven expecting nothing more certain than a Siege which happen'd accordingly for presently both Agis and Pausanias the Lacedemonian Generals broke into Attica with great Forces and incamp'd under the very Walls of Athens And Lysander entred the Pyraeum with above two hundred Sail. The Athenians tho' they were press'd on every side with so many Mischiefs yet stood out and easily defended the City for some time But the Peloponesians resolv'd in Council in regard it would be very difficult to force the Place to withdraw their Forces out of Attica and by their Navy to hinder all Provision from being brought into the City Which being put in Execution the Athenians were reduc'd into extream Want of all things especially of Food which was us'd to be imported to them by Sea Want pressing upon them every day more and more the City was fill'd with the Dead Upon which those that surviv'd sent forth Ambassadors and procur'd the Terms and Conditions following viz. That the Long Fortifications of the Piraeum Athens taken Ant. Chr. 403. and their Walls should be demolish'd That they should never have above ten Long Ships That they should leave all the Cities and be Subject to the Lacedemonians And The End of the Peloponesian War thus ended the Peloponesian War after it had continu'd Seven and twenty Years a War of the longest Duration of any come to our Knowledge CHAP. XVI Agrigentum sackt by Imilcar the Carthaginian The Carthaginians besiege Gela. Dionysius goes to the aid of Gela. The Skirmishes before Gela. Camarina deserted by the Order of Dionysius The Souldiers inrag'd at Dionysius he hastens to Syracuse Imilcar makes Peace with Dionysius and returns to Carthage The end of the first Carthaginian War with Dionysius A Little while after * Darius Nothus who ordered the rebuilding of the Temple P. 390. Darius King of Asia died having reigned Nineteen Years †Artaxerxes Mnemon in whose Twentieth Year Nehemiah came to Jerusalem The Carthaginians Spoils in Sicily Artaxerxes his Eldest Son succeeded him in the Kingdom and reign'd 43 Years About this time Apollodorus the Athenian reports that Antimachus the Poet flourish'd Imilcar the Carthaginian General at the return of the Spring sack'd the City Agrigentum in Sicily and carry'd away the Carv'd Work and richest Furniture out of all those Temples that were not utterly consum'd by the Fire From hence he made an inroad with his whole Army into the Country of Geloa From whence and from the Camarineans having made great Devastations he fill'd his Camp with all sorts of Plunder Then marching for Gela he incampt at a River of the same Name There was a brazen Statue of Apollo of a wonderful bigness at Gela in the Suburbs of the City which the Carthaginians took and sent away Ant. Chr. 403. to Tyre The Geleans had dedicated it by the Command of the Oracle of Apollo But the Tyrians some time after when they were Besieg'd by Alexander the Macedonian reproach'd the Image as if it sided with the Enemy But after that Alexander had taken the City the very same Day of the Week and the very Hour as Timeus reports that the Carthaginians committed the Sacriledge against Apollo at Gela the Grecians honour'd the God with many magnificent Gifts and costly Sacrifices as he by whose help they had won the City Though these things happen'd in times far distant one from another yet because the thing * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Carthaginians besiege Gela. was very remarkable I thought it no digression to compare one Event with the other in this Place The Carthaginians when they had cut down all the Trees about Gela fortify'd themselves by a Wall and deep Trench drawn round their Camp for they expected that Dionysius would come to the aid of the Besieg'd with a great Army They of Gela had at the beginning of the Siege to avoid Danger determin'd to send away their Wives and Children to Syracuse but when the Women all ran together to the Altars in the Forum earnestly praying that they might undergo the same Fate with their Husbands they were suffered to stay After this the Souldiers in the Town dividing Ant. Chr. 403. themselves into several Squadrons sent out part Abroad who being well acquainted with all the Ways and Passages fell upon the Enemy that were straggling here and there and not only brought in Prisoners every Day but kill'd many And when the Carthaginians had batter'd down part of the Walls with their Rams the Besieg'd stoutly defended them and what was beaten down in the Day both Women and Children join'd with the rest and repair'd in the Night For they that were young and able were continually in Arms and ingag'd with the Enemy the rest were diligently imploy'd in working and other necessary Services To conclude they bore the brunt with that Valour and Resolution that though their City was unfortify'd and they receiv'd no Aid from their Confederates and their Walls were broke down in many Places yet Fear did not at all abate their Courage In the mean time Dionysius Tyrant of Syracuse sent for the Grecian Succours in Dionysius hastens to aid Gela. Italy and Aids from his Confederates and imploy'd every one almost that was able to bear Arms in Syracuse and join'd the Army of the Mercenaries with the rest The whole amounted not to above Fifty as some report but as Timeus relates not above Thirty Thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse with Fifty Sail of Ships With these Forces he hastens to the Aid of Gela. When he arriv'd at the City he encamp'd near the Sea This he did that his Forces might not be divided but might fall upon the Enemy both by Sea and Land at once for by skirmishing with his Ant. Chr. 403. light Arm'd Men he prevented their Foraging And by his Horse and the help of P. 391. his Shipping he endeavour'd to intercept all Provisions that should be brought to the Carthaginians from any part of their Dominions However he effected nothing after he had continu'd there Twenty Days After this he divided his Foot into Three Bodies one he deliver'd into the Hands of the Sicilians with a Command that having the City on the Left they should fall upon the Trenches and Fortifications of the Enemy Another Body made up of Succours from the Confederates he order'd should
leave the City on the Right and march to the Shoar He himself with the Mercenaries design'd to pass through the City to the Place where the Carthaginian Engines were plac'd and commanded the Horse that as soon as a Sign was given by the Foot they should pass the River and disperse themselves over the Fields and if they discern'd that their own Party prevail'd they should join 'em and if worsted should succour them He commanded likewise the Officers of the Fleet that as soon as the Italian Bands came up they should sail near to the Enemies Camp While every one was executing the Orders given him in charge the Carthaginians oppos'd the Enemies landing and made it their business to defend that part of their Camp towards the Shoar where it was not fortify'd At the very same instant the Italians coming in near the Shoar set upon the Carthaginians Camp and there intercepted many that had issu'd out to prevent the Landing And when they had put them to Ant. Chr. 403. flight that were left to guard that part they assaulted the whole Camp Upon which the Carthaginians with the greatest part of their Army now return'd hotly ingag'd them and with much ado drave them back beyond the Trenches which they had gain'd and pass'd The Italians being overpowr'd with the multitude of the Barbarians were forc'd to retreat and fell into a straight and narrow Pass within the Lines none of their Fellows advancing to support them for the Siculi who were far off came not up in convenient time and Dionysius's Mercenaries because they could not march swift enough through the Streets of the City could not succour them Indeed the Gelâ—â—ns for a little way made a Sally to relieve the Italians but fearing the Walls would be left naked they halted and return'd so that the Iberians and Campanians with the Carthaginian Auxiliaries fell very sharply upon the Greeks of Italy and kill'd above a Thousand of them but the Pursuers being driven back by Darts and other Shot from the Ships the rest came safe into the Town In the mean time the Siculi being ingag'd with the Carthaginians in another part kill'd many of them and pursu'd the rest up to their very Camp But both the Iberians Campanians and Carthaginians coming to the aid of the Africans the Siculi having lost Six Hundred Men return'd into the City The Horse likewise when they saw all was lost made to the City especially for that the Enemy was pressing upon them on every side Dionysius having passed through the City with his Mercenaries with great difficulty when he understood that his Army was broken marcht back and shelter'd himself within the Walls of the Town Then calling a Senate of those that were Ant. Chr. 403. Friends they consulted concerning the present state of the War where it was concluded by all that because the Enemy was so strong that was now no Place to put all to hazard Dionysius therefore sent forth a †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Herald Trumpet in the Evening to gain a Cessation of Arms for the burying of the Dead till the next Day Then about the first Watch of the Night he sent a Multitude of People out of the Town and he himself about Midnight march'd forth with the Army leaving behind him 2000 light Arm'd Men commanding them to make Fires all the Night long and set up continual Shouts that the Enemy might believe that the whole Army was still in the Town but as soon as it began to be light those left behind with a swift March follow'd Dionysius's Army When the Carthaginians understood the Cheat they led P. 392. the Army into the City and made a Prey of whatever was left in the Houses When Dionysius came to Camarina he caus'd all the Citizens with their Wives The Sedition of the Camarineans and Geleans and Children to remove to Syracuse and because Fear would not admit of any delay some carry'd what Gold and Silver they were able others with their Parents and little Children hasten'd away without the least regard to their Estates Some who were old and sick were left behind by their Friends and Relations every one thinking that the Carthaginians were at his Heels For the late ruin and destruction of Sclinunte Himera and Agrigentum struck all with such a terrour and fill'd every one with such an apprehension of the Beastly cruelty of the Barbarians as if it had been then present before their Eyes for they put all the Captives to the Sword shew'd no Compassion to any some they crucify'd and others they tormented with intolerable Scoffs and Reproaches The Souldiers of Dionysius seeing Men Women and Children driven in Droves from Two several Cities in one and the same Country were much incens'd pitying the sad Condition of the miserable People For when they saw young Gentlemen and Ladies in marriagable Estate unbecoming their State and Age tumultuously and regardlesly to be driven led and drag'd in Droves through the High-ways the time not allowing any regard or respect either to old and grave Men or young and tender Women they were not a little affected And especially it greatly griev'd them to see decrepit old People forc'd beyond the strength of nature to go as fast as those that were young These were the things that enflam'd the Souldiers with Rage against Dionysius for they suspected that he did this on purpose that he might gain the Sovereignty over the rest of the Cities through their fear of the Carthaginians For they mutter'd among themselves how small a time he gave his Assistance that none of his Mercenary Souldiers were kill'd that he fled so hastily when he had suffer'd so little Loss and especially when no Enemy pursu'd Therefore all those who had long wisht for an opportunity to revolt now did their utmost to shake off the Yoke of his Tyranny prompted thereunto * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were by the instinct of a Divine Providence So that all the Italians forthwith left his Camp and marcht homewards through the Heart of the Country The Syracusian Horsemen likewise watch'd for an opportunity how they might readily kill the Tyrant on the Road But observing the Mercenaries constantly to attend Ant. Chr. 403. close to his Person unanimously with one consent they set Spurs to their Horses and rode away to Syracuse where they enter'd into the Arsenal without any opposition A Revolt by the Horsemen from Dionysius the Guard being altogether ignorant of what was done at Gela. Upon their coming there they forthwith rifled Dionysius's Palace and carry'd away all his Gold Silver and rich Furniture out of his House and most cruelly and filthily abus'd his Wife to vex and molest the Tyrant the more and that this sort of Revenge might Their vile abuse of his Wife be a clear Evidence to him of the Conspiracy against him Dionysius suspecting upon his March what was done hastens to the City
himself and therefore forthwith sent a Messenger in whom he could most confide and by him laid all open before the King That when Alcibiades saw that Pharnabazus would not p. 401. furnish him with Letters to make way for him to the King's Palace he made a Journey to the Lieutenant and Governor of Paphlagonia and desir'd his assistance to get to the King And that Pharnabazus fearing lest the King should come to understand the Truth sent some to lie in wait for Alcibiades in the way and to murther him and that these finding him in his Inn in Phrygia rais'd up a Pile of Wood round his Lodging in the Night and set it on fire and that Alcibiades endeavouring to save himself in the midst Ant. Ch. 402. of the Flames partly by the Fire and partly by Darts cast at him by his Enemies there perish'd About the same time Democrates the Philosopher died being Ninety Years of Age. And Lasthenes the Theban who wan the Prize this Olympiad is said to run a Race on foot with a Running Horse from * From Coronea to Thebes 30 Miles both in Beotia in Greece Coronea to the Walls of Thebes and won the Match In Italy the Volsci set upon the Roman Garrison at * Verulanum in Latium Olymp. 94. 2. Ant. Ch. 401. Verugine took the City it self and kill'd many of the Garison-Soldiers After the Affairs of this Year thus past Euclides became Chief Magistrate of Athens And Four Military Tribunes bore the Consular Dignity at Rome Publius Cornelius Numerius Fabius Lucius Valerius and Terentius Maximus During the time of their Governments the Affairs of Byzantium were but in an ill posture by reason of their intestine Seditions and their Wars with the Thracians their Neighbours Not being able to put an end to their Civil Discords they desir'd a Governor from the Lacedemonians to which end Clearchus was sent to them who after the whole Power was put into his hands got together a great number of Mercenaries and acted more like a Tyrant than a Governor For First having invited the Magistrates of the City to a Feast after a publick Sacrifice Clearchus acts like a Tyrant in Byzantium he caus'd them all to be put to Death Presently after when there was none left to Govern the City he strangled Thirty of the Chief Men of Byzantium and seiz'd upon all their Goods to his own use He likewise put to death some of the richest of the Citizens under colour of pretended Crimes and others he banish'd Having thus enrich'd himself Ant. Ch. 401. he Listed vast numbers of Foreign Troops and confirm'd and strengthen'd himself in the Sovereignty When the Cruelty and Power of the Tyrant was spread abroad the Lacdemonians at the first sent Messengers to him to advise him to lay down his Government But when he flatly refus'd they sent an Army against him under the Command of Panthedas but when Clearchus heard of his coming he march'd away with his Forces to Selymbria of which he had before possess'd himself For by reason of his Cruelty in Byzantium he foresaw that not only the Lacedemonians but the Citizens would be his Enemies and therefore concluding that he could with more safety march out against his Enemies from Selymbria he brought all his Money together with his Army thither When he came there and heard of the approach of the Lacedemonians he withdrew out to meet them and at a place call'd Porus they engag'd The Battle was doubtful à long time but at length the valiant Spartans prevail'd and the Tyrants Army was miserably Clearchus routed at Selymbria by the Lacedaemonians Is employ'd by Cyrus the Brother of Artaxerxes Mnemon Ant. Ch. 401. destroy'd Clearchus with a few escap'd to Selymbria and was there a while besieg'd but afterwards in a great fright he fled out of the Town in the night and sail'd over to Jonia where becoming familiar with Cyrus the King of Persia's Brother he was made General of his Army For Cyrus being made Chief of all the Princes and Governors of the Sea Coasts and being of an high and aspiring Spirit determin'd to make War against his Brother Artaxerxes Looking therefore upon Clearchus to be a fellow of a bold and daring Spirit ready for any adventure furnish'd him with Money and order'd him to raise an Army of as many Foreigners as he could hoping he had new got fit a Companion to assist him in the execution of those bold Attempts he had taken in hand As for Lysander the Spartan after he had setled all the Cities subject to the Lacedaemonians according P. 402. to the Orders and Directions of the Ephori some to be govern'd by a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Decemvirate a Government under 10 Persons Decemvirate others by an Oligarchy became of great Note and Reputation at Sparta For by his Conduct he had put an end to the Peloponnesian War and thereby had gain'd for his Country the Sovereign Command both at Sea and Land without controul Being puft up with this Success he design'd to put an end to the Reign of the Heraclidae and to that end endeavour'd so to contrive the matter as to procure a Decree That any Spartan whatsoever should be capable of being elected King Thereby he hop'd that the Regal Power would presently be devolv'd upon himself for the Great and Noble Services that he had done But considering that the Lacedaemonians were led much by Lysander contrives to cut the Line of the Heraclidae and to be chosen King of Sparta Seeks to bribe the Oracles the Answers given by the Oracle he resolv'd to bribe the Prophetess of Delphos with a large Sum of Money For he concluded that if he were favour'd by the Oracle his Business was done according to his Heart's desire But when he saw that by his repeated and continual Promises of Reward day by day he could not prevail he address'd himself upon the same account to the Priest of the Oracle at Dodona by one Pherecrates of the Family of Apolloniatus who was familiarly acquainted with the Officers of that Temple But being disappointed here likewise he took a Journey to * In Africa near Carthage Cerene under colour to pay a Vow to Jupiter Hammon but in truth to no other purpose than to bribe that Oracle To that end he carry'd with him a great Sum of Money to bring over the Priests of that Temple to his Interest For Lybis the King of that Country had been his Father's Guest and for the great Love and Friendship that there was between them the Brother of Lysander was call'd Lybis But notwithstanding all his hopes to prevail by his Interest in the King and the Fulness of his Purse he was not only frustrated of his Ant. Ch. 401. Hope there but the Priests of the Oracle sent Ambassadors to Sparta and accus'd Lysander for his offering of Bribes to corrupt the Oracle Upon which when he was
the least impair'd So that there was now begun a fierce Encounter Upon which many more likewise mounting over the Sicilians with much ado over-powering them by their multitude at length drave them from the Post and presently by the Mould and Bank that Ant. Ch. 395. P. 425. Motya taken was rais'd Dionysius his whole Army broke into the City and now every place was strew'd with dead Bodies For the Sicilians resolving to revenge themselves upon the Carthaginians for their former Cruelties without any regard either to Age or Sex slew all before them putting Man Woman and Child to the Sword But Dionysius having a mind to sell all the Citizens for Slaves thereby to raise Money commanded the Soldiers to forbear killing the Prisoners But when he saw that none regarded him but that the Sicilians rag'd like wild Beasts he order'd a Cryer by publick Proclamation to declare That he would have the Motyans to fly for refuge to the Graecian Temples Upon which the Common Soldiers stopp'd their hands but forthwith sell a plundering and spoiling all through the City and carried away abundance of Silver and Gold rich Garments and all sorts of other Wealth and Treasure For Dionysius for the Encouragement of his Soldiers for the time to come had given them the Plunder of the City After all was over he rewarded Archylus who first mounted the Wall with an Hundred * Above 300 l. Minas and all the rest every one according to his Merit As many of the Motyans as were left alive he sold for * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sold under the Spear Slaves But Daimenes and some other Greeks who join'd with the Carthaginians and were taken Prisoners he commanded to be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crucify'd After this he put a Garison into Motya and made Bito the Syracusian Governor the greater part of the Garison were Sicilians Then he order'd Leptinus the Admiral with an Hundred and Twenty sail to watch the Carthaginians at Sea and likewise to make Incursions as he had before design'd upon Egista and Entella He himself return'd with the Army to Syracuse Summer now drawing near to an End At this time Sophocles the Son of Sophocles began to make Tragedies at Athens and came off Twelve times a Conqueror Sophoeles the Tragedian When this Year was ended Phormio entred upon the chief Magistracy at Athens and at Rome six Military Tribunes executed the Consular Authority Cncius Genusius Lucius An. M. 3576. Olymp. 96. 1. Ant. Ch. 394. Atilius Marcus Pomponius Gains Duilius Marcus Veturius and Valerius Publius At this time was celebrated the Ninety Sixth Olympiad in which Eupolis of Elis was Victor In the time of their Governments Dionysius Lord of Syracuse marched from thence with his Army and invaded the Territories of the Carthaginians When he was wasting Dionysius still carries on the War against the Carthaginians and spoiling the Country the Halicyans out of Fear of him sent Ambassadors to his Camp and became Confederates But they of Egesta made a sudden and unexpected Sally upon the Guards of the Besiegers and burnt their Tents which caus'd a great Consternation and Tumult through the Camp For the Flame catching and running along at a great distance was not easily quench'd so that some of the Soldiers in quenching of the Fire were destroy'd and many Horses were burnt and the Tents together But Dionysius went on spoiling and wasting the Country without any Opposition In the mean time Leptinas the Admiral who lay then with the Fleet at Motya was very intent in observing the Enemy at Sea And the Carthaginians having certain Intelligence Ant. Ch. 394. of the strength of Dionysius resolv'd to exceed him in all warlike Provision and Preparation whatsoever To which end according to their Laws they made Imilco their King The great Preparations of the Carthaginians against Dionysius and rais'd Forces out of all parts of Africa and Spain of which some were their own Confederates and others Mercenaries At length they got together an Army of above Three hundred thousand Foot and Four thousand Horse besides Chariots to the number of Four hundred They had likewise a Fleet to the number of Three hundred long Gallies for Men of War and Six hundred Ships of Burden as Ephorus relates to Tranâ—port all manner of Provision Engines of Battery and all other Necessaries for the War But Timeus affirms P. 426. that not above a Hundred thousand were transported from Africa into Sicily with which Three thousand of the Sicilians join'd when they came over Imilco deliver'd Commissions seal'd up to every one of the Officers with a Command they should not open them till they were out at Sea and then to Execute their Orders He did this that the Spies which might be amongst them might not be able to inform Dionysius of the Design of the Fleet. The Orders were That they should make straight to Panormus Upon this they all set sail with a fair Wind The Transport Ships made directly in to the open Sea but the Gallies sail'd along the Coast of Africa When the Transport Ships and Ships of Burden with a fresh Gale came within sight of Sicily Dionysius sent out Leptines with Thirty Sail against them with Order to Sink and Destory as many as he could who forthwith made up to them and fought those he first met with and sunk several with all the Men in them The rest though they were heavy loaden by the help of the Wind fortunately veering about easily escap'd but about Fifty were sunk down right in which were lost Five thousand Soldiers and Two hundred Ant. Ch. 394. Chariots In the mean time Imilco arriv'd at Panormus and landing his Men march'd directly against the Enemy Comanding the Fleet to sail along upon the Coast near to him In his march he entred Eryx by Treachery and thence hasten'd with all speed to Motya Motya retaken by Storm And because Dionysius was then busie in besieging of Egista Imilco had the Opportunity to take Motya by Storm Although the Sicilians were very earnest and desirous to fight the Enemy yet Dionysius judg'd it more advisable for him to draw off to some other Place because he was both far off from his Confederates and his Provisions too began to grow very low Determining therefore to be gone he advis'd the Sicilians for the present to quit their Cities and join themselves to the Army promising to plant them in a richer and in no less a Country than their own and telling them that when the War was ended as many as would might return to their former Habitations upon this some few of them embrac'd the Offer lest if they refus'd they should have been plunder'd by the Soldiers The rest deserted together with the Haliceans who sent Ambassadors to the Carthaginians and renew'd their League with them Dionysius therefore made with all speed to Syracuse spoiling and wasting the Country all along
as he march'd But Imilco seeing all things succeed according to his Hearts desire march'd with his Army against Messina earnest to possess himself of that City by reason of its fit and convenient situation for the Haven there was very commodious capable to receive his whole Fleet which consisted of about Six hundred Ant. Ch. 394. Sail and by that means having the Command of the Sea in those parts he judg'd he should be able to intercept all the Shipping that should be sent both from Italy and Peloponnesus to aid them of Syracuse While he was musing and considering of these things he made Peace with them of Hymera and the Inhabitants of Cephalaedium And taking in the City of Lipara he impos'd a Mulct of Thirty Talents upon the Islanders Then Imilco marches to Messina in order to besiege it he march'd straight away with his Forces for Messina his Fleet sailing near at hand over against him and in a short time encamp'd at Pelorides not above a * Betwixt Seven and Eight Miles Hundred Stages from thence When they of the City-heard of the approach of the Enemy they began to disagree about the concerns of the War For some of them understanding the great strength of the Carthaginian Army and seeing how they deserted by their Confederates and that they wanted their Horse which were then at Syracuse were of Opinion that the City could not be defended Besides to their further discouragement their Walls were down in many places and they had now no time to make necessary P. 427. Preparations for their Defence Therefore they sent away their Wives and Children and all their choicest Goods and the richest of their Treasures to the neighbouring Cities Others there were who remembred an old Prophesie whereby it was foretold by the Oracle That the Carthaginians should be carriers of Water in that City which was commonly interpreted in that Sense as might portend most advantage to themselves as if the Carthaginians should be Slaves in Messina From hence they were very confident and by this means greatly encourag'd others so that they resolv'd to undergo the utmost extremity in defence of their common Liberty They sent out therefore presently a select number of their briskest young Men to Pelorides to prevent the Enemies Inroads into the Country who did according to Order Upon which Imilco seeing the Messinians dispers'd and scatter'd in order to oppose his Descent he commanded Two hundred Ships to make towards the City For he hop'd Ant. Ch. 394. as he might easily conjecture that the whole Garrison of Messina would be so earnest in opposing his breaking into their Borders that the City would be left unguarded so that it would be easie for his Fleet to enter and at that time the North Wind blew fresh by which means the Ships were carry'd with a full Gale straight into the Harbor and though the Guard sent to Pilorides hasten'd back with all speed yet the Enemies Fleet was in before they return'd And now the Carthaginian Army coming in on every side speedily batter'd down the Walls entred and took the City Messina As many of the Messinions as engag'd with the Enemy died valiantly upon the spot the rest fled to the next Cities many of the common People fled to the Mountains near at hand and were dispers'd and scatter'd into several Garrisons in the Country Some were taken by Messina taken by the Carthaginians the Enemy others that were got into narrow Creeks about the Harbour flung themselves into the Sea thinking they should be able to swim over to * Which is not above a Mile and an half to Rhegium in Italy Land on the other side but of Two hundred scarce Fifty recover'd the Shoar of Italy Afterwards Imilco entred Messina with his whole Army and the first thing he set upon was the Besieging the Castles and Forts near to the City but being very strong and bravely defended by them that had fled thither when he saw he could not win them by force he return'd to the City And having refresh'd and recruited his Army resolv'd to march against Syracuse The Sicilians bearing an inveterate hatred to Dionysius having now a fair opportunity all of them except the Assarines fell to the Carthaginians Dionysius therefore to the end he might be supply'd with Men sets free all the Slaves and Servants of the Syracusians and with them sufficiently Mann'd Threescore Gallies he was furnish'd likewise Ant. Ch. 394. with a Thousand Mercenaries from the Lacedemonians Passing likewise from place to place through the Country he fortify'd all the Castles and strong Holds and furnish'd them with Provision But his greatest care was to fortifie the Castles of the Leontines and to that end laid up Stores and Magazines there brought in from all parts He likewise persuaded the Campanians who at that time inhabited in Catana to remove and reside at the City Aetna because it was a place of great strength After things thus setled Dionysius led forth his Army an hundred and sixty Stages from Syracuse and encamp'd near to a place call'd Taurus He then had with him Thirty thousand Foot and something above Three thousand Horse His Navy consisted of a Hundred and fourscore Ships of which there were but few that had Three Oars on a Bank In the mean time Imilco demolish'd Messina and commanded his Soldiers to pull down Messina raz'd the Houses to the ground so as not one stick should be left standing or one Stone upon another which was effectually executed by burning some and pulling down others For by so many hands the business was done in a trice and such was the ruine and desolation of the City that that place which was so lately full of Inhabitants could now scarce be known where it stood For Imilco considering how remote it was from the P. 428. Confederate Cities and yet the best Port and Situation in all Sioily judg'd it absolutely necessary either to ruine it as he had done or at least so far to destroy it as that it could not be repair'd in a long time And thus Imilco having sufficiently discover'd his implacable hatred to the Grecians commanded Mago the Admiral to sail with the whole Fleet to the Promontory of Taurus Here the Sicilians inhabited in great numbers but Ant. Ch. 394. without any Head or certain Commander Dionysius had heretofore given the Country of the Naxians to these Sicilians but they induc'd by the Promises of Imilco then dwelt upon this Hill which was naturally fortisy'd and there at that time they were and so continu'd after the War in a City strongly Wall'd call'd Tauromenium from its situation Tauromenium built upon Taurus Imilco himself by swift marches came with his Army to the before mention'd place of Naxia Mago sailing all along near to the Coast But because Mount Aeina had a little before vomited out Fire as far as to the Shoar the Army at land could
not march so as to have the Fleet near at hand to attend them For the passages by the Sea-Shoar were so spoil'd and choak'd up by Rivers and Streams of Fire from Aetna that the Army Imilco's march hinder'd by streams of Fire from Aetna was forc'd to take a Compass and march round the Mountain Therefore Imilco commanded Mago to sail towards Catana and he himself with the Army hasten'd thro the heart of the Country to join again with the Fleet at that City For he was afraid lest when the Forces were divided and far asunder the Sicilians should set upon Mago by Sea which happen'd accordingly For Dionysius having intelligence that Mugo sail'd very slowly and that the Land Army was engag'd in along and difficult March hasten'd with all speed to Catana that he might fight Mago by Sea before Imilco's Army came up For he hop'd that being upon the Shoar near at hand with his Land Forces it would much encourage his own and discourage the Enemy And that which was the most considerable was That if his Fleet were worsted both Ships and Men had a place ready to retreat unto for their safety Ant. Ch. 394. Things thus order'd he sent forth Leptines with the whole Fleet against the Enemy commanding him to engage in close Order and not to break his Line upon any account unless he were over press'd with multitude There were in Mago's Fleet Ships of burden A Fight at Sea between Mago and Leptines and Gallies with brazen Beaks to the number of Five hundred The Carthaginian's as soon as they saw the Coasts full of Ships and the Grecian Navy making out straight upon them were greatly amaz'd and began to tack about and make into the Shoar But presently recollecting themselves they consider'd the insuperable hazard they should run themselves into if they should fight both with the Soldiers at Land and them in the Ships at one time therefore they resolv'd to try it out at Sea and so putting themselves into a Line of Battel waited to receive the Enemy Leptines eagerly forcing on with Thirty of the best Gallies in the Van with more Valour than Prudence began the Fight and presently falling in upon the first Squadron sunk several of their Ships But when Mago with his Fleet all join'd together they surrounded the Thirty Sail the first exceeding in Number and the other in Valour And now was begun a sharp Engagement which look't like a Fight upon Land the Ships grapling close one to another for there was no distance left for them to strike with their Beaks but they fought hand to hand with their Forecastles close in front together Some while they were attempting to board their Adversary were hurl'd over-board Ant. Ch. 394. P. 429. others effecting what they design'd fought valiantly aboard in the midst of their Enemies Ships At length Leptines over-power'd with number was forc'd to hoise up Sail and fly the rest of the Fleet coming on upon the Enemy who were in disorder were easily routed by the Carthaginians for the Flight of the Admiral encourag'd them and greatly discourag'd and distracted the Sicilians The Fight thus ended the Carthaginians made a very hot pursuit and sunk and destroy'd above a Hundred Vessels and they that were in the Transport-Ships that lay along the shoar kill'd the Seamen as they saw them swimming to get to the Forces that were upon the Land so that many being kill'd near the Land the Shoar was full of Carcasses and Wrecks the Dionisians being not able in the least to help them Many Dionysius's Fleet routed were kill'd on the Carthaginians side but there were above a Hundred Gallies of the Sicilians sunk and taken and more than Twenty thousand Men kill'd After the Fight the Carthaginian Navy anchor'd at Catana whither they brought along with them the Ships they had taken and drawing them up to the shoar refitted them that the Eves as well as the Ears of the Carthaginians might be entertain'd with the Greatness of their Victory Upon this Misfortune the Sicslians judging that by returning to Syracuse they should suffer much and be brought into great Straits by being suddenly besieg'd persuaded Dionysius rather to fight Imilco alledging That by an unexpected Onset the Barbarians would be terrify'd and by that means they might in great probability repair their late Dionysius marches back to Syracuse Overthrow Dionysius inclining to this Advice and preparing to march against the Enemy some of his Friends told him he ran a great hazard and had reason to fear lest Imilco would invade Syracuse with his whole Fleet and so he should lose the City Upon this he alter'd his Resolution knowing that Messina was lately lost by such an Oversight hereupon he hastned to Syracuse not thinking it safe for that Place to be without a strong Garison Many of the Sicilians upon this were much displeas'd and therefore some return'd to their own Habitations and others dispers'd themselves into several Castles and Forts near at hand Imilco in two days march came to Catana and caus'd the Ships that were there to be drawn up into the Harbour by reason of the present Wind and Storm Here he staid some days and refresh'd his Army and from thence sent Ambassadors to the Campanians at Aetna to court them to a Defection from Dionysius promising to bestow on them large Possessions and that they should be equal Sharers in the Spoils of the War He likewise acquainted them that the Campanians of Entella had sided with the Carthaginians and had supply'd them with Aids against the Sicilians In sum he told them that the Greoians bore an inveterate Hatred to all other Nations whatsoever But the Campanians having given Hostages to Dionysius and sent the best of their Soldiers to Syracuse were forc'd to stick to the League they had made with him tho' they had a desire rather to fall to the other side After these Misfortunes Dionysius being now afraid of the Power of the Carthaginians Dionysius sends for Aids to other Countries sends Polyxenus his Father-in-Law Ambassador to the Greoians in Italy Lacedaemon and Corinth to desire their Assistance and that they would not stand by and see the Greek Cities in Sicily to be utterly destroy'd He sent likewise several * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pressmasters or one to list Foreigners Ant. Ch. 394. P. 430. Paymasters into Reloponnesus with great Sums of Money to raise what Men they could not sparing any Cost But Imilco now enters with his Navy richly adorn'd with his Enemies Spoils into the great Haven of Syracuse this fill'd the Citizens with Terror and Amazement for a Navy of Two hundred and eighty Sail of Men of War in excellent order enter'd the Port and after them came in above a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thousand Transport-Ships wherein were above †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deest Imiclo enters the Part of Syracuse
and danger to suffer and undergo We to say the Truth courageously endure the extreamest hardships in fighting against the Carthaginians but we are so poor-spirited that we dare not speak a word for the Laws and Liberties of our Country against a most cruel Tyrant We that dare bravely Charge so many thousands of our Enemies are dastardly afraid of one * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tyrant that has not the Courage of a generous Slave No Man ever presum'd to compare or equal Dionysius with Gelo for he through the innate goodness of his Disposition with the assistance of the Syracusians and other Sicilians restor'd all Sicily to their Liberty But this vile Man when he found the Cities free either exposed them to the Will of the Enemy or he himself made them perfect Slaves The other after he had fought many Ant. Ch. 394. Battels in the Cause of Sicily was so successful that an Enemy was not to be seen But this Tyrant running away from Motya through the whole Island at length penn'd himself up not daring to look his Enemy in the Face yet fierce and cruel enough towards the Citizens The other for his Valour and remarkable Services done for his Country had the Sovereignty freely and willingly bestow'd on him not only by the Syracusians but by all the Sicilians But this Man who has usurp'd the Sovereign Power to the ruine of the Confederates and slavery of the Citizens Why should he not be hated P. 43◠by all who is not only unworthy of the Supream Power but deserves a thousand Deaths besides Through him Gela and Camerina are spoil'd Messina raz'd and laid in rubbish and Twenty thousand of our Confederates destroy'd And things are now brought to that pass that all the Greek Cities throughout Sicily are ruin'd and we are all coop'd up into one Among other Mischiefs and Miseries Naxus and Catana are by him sold for nought many of the best situated and Confederate Cities raz'd to the ground He fought twice with the Carthaginians and was beaten in both As soon as ever the Sovereign Power was given into his hand he forthwith depriv'd the Citizens of their Liberties putting to death all those that stood up for the Laws of their Country and banishing those that were Rich to gain their Estates giving their Wives in Marriage to their Servants and to the lowest of the People and putting Arms into the hands of Strangers and Barbarians All these wickednesses Oh Jupiter and all Ant. Ch. 394. the Gods has this hangman and base mean fellow committed Where is now the love of the Laws and Liberties among the Syracusians Where are the noble Actions of our Ancestors by whom were destroy'd at Himera Three hundred thousand Carthaginians not to say any thing of the Tyrants depos'd by Gelo. But that which is to be most admir'd is that tho' your Fathers even but yesterday did rout so great an Army of the Athenians that came against Syracuse and that in such a manner as that they left not one to be a Messenger of their destruction though I say you have so fresh an Example of your Fathers Valour yet that you should bow your Necks to the Yoke of Dionysius and at this instant time when you have Arms in your hands is most strange Certainly some good providence of the Gods has brought you now hither together in Arms that you may have an opportunity to regain your Liberty Now is the day come wherein you may shew your selves Men of Courage and unanimously rescue your selves from so base and shameful a Slavery It was an easie matter when we had no assistance and the City was full of Mercenary Soldiers to keep us under but now that we are Arm'd now that we have Confederates to assist us and stand by us as Spectators of our Valour let us not yield an Inch but make it manifest to all that it was not Cowardize but want of opportunity that made us seem to be willing and content to be Slaves May we not be asham'd to have an Enemy to be our General one who has Sacrilegiously robb'd all the Temples in the City to entrust one in matters of the greatest publick concern that none in his wits would trust with his own private Estate And when we see that all Men generally are more than ordinarily Religious in times of War and imminent Dangers Can we hope that such a notorious Atheist as this should be instrumental to put an happy issue to this War And if any Man will Ant. Ch. 394 but seriously consider he may easily conclude that Dionysius is more afraid of Peace than War For he knows that the Syracusians through fear of the bad consequences of commotions at this present dare not attempt any thing against him But he foresees that if the Carthaginians be conquer'd the Syracusians being then in Arms and encourag'd with the success will seek to redeem themselves and regain their Liberty And this was the cause as I conceive that in the former War he most treacherously depopulated Gela and Camerina and stript 'em of all their Inhabitants and likewise agreed as part of the Articles of the League That many of the Greek Cities should never after be inhabited by the Grecians This was likewise the Cause that afterwards in a time of Peace And against the Conditions agreed on he enslav'd Naxus and Catana raz'd the one down to the ground and gave away the other to the Campanians a Colony out of Italy and when he perceiv'd that after the Cities were thus ruin'd the rest were continually plotting how to rescue themselves from this Tyranny he then for a diversion began this Second War against the Carthaginians For the Sacred Bonds of an Oath did not so much awe him to the keeping of his League as the fear of these Sicilians that remain'd did torment him whose destruction he continually watch'd all opportunities to effect When the Enemy lately weak and weather-beaten landed at Panormus tho' he might P 433. Ant. Ch. 394. easily then have fallen upon them with his whole Army yet was very far from doing any such service for his Country Afterwards he suffer'd Messina that large City and commodious Port for want of Relief to be laid wast not only because there were many Sicilians by that means cut off but likewise that all Aids by Shipping from Italy and Peloponnesus might be intercepted by the Carthaginians Then at last he fought upon the Coasts near to Catana even close to the City that the Enemy if they were beaten might have ready shelter in the Port of their own Allies After this and the Fight was over a Storm arose by reason whereof the Carthaginians were forc'd to draw up their Ships into the Harbour at which time we had a fair opportunity of ruining them their Land-Army not being then come up and their Ships many of them thrown upon the Shoar by the violence of the Storm If we then had
the other side in the mean time the Horse with some Gallies made to the Fort near Dascon and took it And forthwith came up the whole Fleet and the Army Assaulted the rest of the Forts with a mighty Shout which struck the Barbarians with great terror and amazement For at the first they all ran to defend their P. 435. The miserable condition of the Garthaginians Ant. Ch. 394. Camp but now seeing the Enemies whole Fleet come up they bestirr'd themselves as much to preserve their Navy that then lay at Anchor But all their Care was to little purpose for they were prevented by the suddainness of the surrprize For while they were ascending the Decks and hasting on board the Enemies Ships came up with that fierceness upon them and so pierc'd their Broad sides that some were sunk down right at the first shock others by repeated and frequent Assaults were broken in pieces so that the Carthaginians were fill'd with dread and horror And while the best and greatest of their Ships were up and down pierc'd through and through the Air resounded with a terrible noise by the crashing of the Vessels broken by the Beaks of the Gallies and the Shoar over against them was presently fill'd with dead Bodies The Syracusians still more and more encourag'd by their Success while each strove who should first leap into their Enemies Ships in every place killed and dispersed and scattered Barbarians astonish'd and amaz'd with the fear of the present destruction Neither was the Land Army wanting in their Assistance in which Dionysius then was by chance having rid to Dascon some time before For finding there Forty Ships of Fifty Oars apiece besides Ships of Burden that lay near to them and some Gallies they threw Fire amongst 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The strange burning of the Carthaginian Ships them upon which the Flame mounting up and spreading it self far and wide set all the Ships on fire and neither Merchants nor Mariners were able to stop the violence of the Flame which the Wind being then high ran along from the Ships at Anchor and catcht upon the Transport Ships which lay near to them And the Men to avoid the Fire leaping out of the Ships into the Sea and the Cables snapping asunder the Ships fell foul one upon another by reason whereof some broke in pieces many were burnt and others by the violence of the Winds scatter'd and dispers'd here and there so that all one way or other were destroy'd And here a Show as upon a Theatre was represented to the Citizens while the Fire ran through the Transport Ships from one to another and the Flame mounted the Masts and consum'd the Main Yards and the ruine of the Barbarians seem'd like the overthrow of such as were destroy'd for some notorious Ant. Ch 394. Impiety by Thunder and Lightning from Heaven Upon these Successes both young and old that were able took Boats and pass'd over to the Harbour to rifle those Ships that were almost consum'd by the Fire and to save such as might be refitted and those that were yet sound and untouch'd to tow them by their Boats to the City Yea such was the exceeding Joy and Emulation of all to share in the Honour of the Victory that those whom Age might well have excus'd from intermedling with matters of War yet now beyond their Age and natural Strength made themselves remarkable And now the Victory spread swiftly through the City upon which the Women and Children and whole Families left their Houses and ran to the Walls and fill'd them with Spectators of whom some lift up their Hands to Heaven and gave thanks to the Gods others cry'd out that the Barbarians were justly punish'd for their prophaneness in rissing and plundering of the Temples For indeed it seem'd as if the Gods themselves were engag'd in the Fight where so many Ships were on fire with the Flame mounting into the Air above the Masts and the Grecians only standing by with joyful Acclamations as Eye-witnesses of every happy Event And on the contrary the Barbarians amaz'd and astonish'd Ant. Ch. 394. with the dreadful misfortune in great Confusion and with mournful Cries bewailing themselves But Night put an end to the Battle and Dionysius encamp'd near to the Barbarians at the Temple of Jupiter The Carthaginians being thus routed both by Sea and Land sent Ambassadors privately to Dionysius to offer him Three hundred Talents which they had then ready in their Camp if he would permit the remainder of their Army to transport themselves into Africa To this Dionysius answer'd that he could not suffer all to be gone but he was content that those who were Citizens of Carthage might depart privately in the Night but no other For he knew well enough that neither the Syracusians nor his Confederates P. 436. would ever suffer him to grant to them any such liberty But he did this because he was unwilling utterly to destroy the Carthaginians that the Syracusians through fear of them might find no opportunity or leisure by disturbing of him to seek after the regaining of their Liberty Having therefore agreed with the Carthaginians that they should be gone the fourth Night next after he draws his whole Army into the City Upon which Imilco deliver'd the Three hundred Talents to some appointed for that purpose Imilco gives 300 Talents to Dionysius to have liberty to depart into Africa who convey'd them secretly in the night into the Castle When the time appointed was come Imilco fill'd Forty Gallies with Citizens of Carthage with an intent to be gone leaving the rest of the Army behind him And he was no sooner entred into the Port but some Corinthians discerning that Dionysius trifled away the time in getting the Soldiers and Officers together were impatient and forthwith made after them And by rowing hard at length got up to the Carthaginian Ships that were in the Rear which they sunk by piercing them through with the Beaks of their Ships Afterwards Dionysius drew The Carthaginians pursu'd Ant. Ch. 394. out his Army but the Sicilians who sided with the Carthaginians were almost all fled through the heart of the Country and escap'd to their several Cities before the Syracusians could reach up to them In the mean time when Dionysius had plac'd Guards at several Passes to intercept them that fled he march'd with his Army in the Night to the Enemies Camp Upon which all the Barbarians now betraid both by their General and the Carthaginians and likewise by the Sicilians fled away in great fear and amazement of whom part were taken falling in among their Enemies Guards that way-laid them others and the greatest part threw away their Arms and cry'd for Quarter But the Spaniards with their Arms got into a Body and sent a Trumpet to Dionysius to offer themselves to him as Confederates Upon which he made a League with them and join'd them to the Regiments of his
Mercenaries The rest of the common Soldiers he took and whatever was left of the Bag and Baggage he gave for Plunder to the Soldiers And thus was the suddain change and turn of the Carthaginian Affairs From whence all Men may learn That whoever they be that above measure exalt themselves may come in short time to be convinc'd how weak and inconsiderable creatures they are They who a little before were possest of all the Cities of Sicily but Syracuse which they accounted themselves likewise sure of were presently brought into such a strait as to be afraid lest they should lose their own Country And they who lately destroy'd the Sepulchres of the Syracusians were now Eye-witnesses of a Hundred and fifty thousand Carcasses of their own Men that perish'd by the Plague lying rotting upon the ground without the Honour of Burial They who had before burnt up all before them belonging to the Syracusians by a sudden change of Fortune now saw their whole Fleet wrapt up and consum'd Ant. Ch. 394. in Flames They who not long ago in great Pride and Ostentation entred into the Port of Syracuse boasting of their Successes little thought that within a while after they should be forc'd to fly away in the night and treacherously leave their Confederates to the Mercy of their Enemies The General himself who had pitch'd his Tent in the Temple of Jupiter and had robb'd the Temples of the Riches laid up in them shamefully fled away with a few to Carthage and tho' he escap'd with Life yet he could Imilco's Misery in his own Country P. 437. not fly from the Vengeance of the Gods for his Impiety but liv'd all his Days in disgrace in his own Country reproach'd and scorn'd by all Nay he was reduc'd to that extremity of Misery that he wander'd about round all the Temples of the City in Rags convinc'd of his own Impiety and doing Penance for his notorious Wickedness and and at length Murther'd himself and Dy'd in extream Want and Poverty by his example Murthers himself leaving behind him an awe of the Gods among the Citizens For presently after many other calamities of War overtook them For this overthrow being spread all over Africk their Consederates who hated them before now for their treacherous deserting of the Soldiers at Syracuse abhorr'd the Carthaginians much more than they did before And therefore stirr'd up by Rage on the one hand and encourag'd to contemn the Carthaginians by reason of their late misfortune on the other they resolv'd to stand up for their The Confederates rise up in Arms against the Carthaginians Liberty And having sent Ambassadors into all parts they rais'd an Army and at length encamp'd themselves in the Field Upon which there presently came in to them not only Free Men but Slaves so that in a small time they made up a Body of Two hundred thousand Men. In the first place they took Tunis not far from Carthage from thence they march'd in a body fought and beat the Carthaginians and drove them within their Walls At length the Carthaginians against whom the Gods thus apparently fought with faint and trembling Hearts assembled themselves together to supplicate the Deity to be appeas'd and to put an end to his Wrath and Indignation against them And presently a Spirit of Ant. Ch. 394. Devotion join'd with Fear possess'd the whole City whilst every one expected to become miserable Slaves Therefore all were of Opinion that the Gods who were offended should by all means in the first place be atton'd And altho' they never before Sacrific'd to Proserpina or Ceres yet now the chiefest of the Citizens were consecrated to be Priests for this Service And having set forth the Statues of the Gods with all Pomp and Solemnity they order'd the Sacrifices for the future to be made according to the Grecian Rites and Ceremonies And they carefully made use of those Grecians that were with them and who were best acquainted with the Rites of their Religion to officiate in the Sacrifices But after this they prepar'd another Navy and all other things necessary for the carrying on of the War In the mean time the Rebels tho' they were a vast number of Men yet they wanted good and expert Officers and that which was worst of all they wanted sufficient Provision for such a multitude which the Carthaginians were supply'd with having enough brought to them by Sea from Sardinia And besides all this the Revolters fell a quarrelling among themselves about the Supream Command of the Army and some bribed with Money by the Carthaginians fell off and deserted the common Cause And hence it came to pass that through want of Provision and Treachery of some of their Associates this great Rabble broke in pieces and were dispers'd here and there every one to their own Country and Places of Habitation and so freed Carthage from the great Ant. Ch. 394. Fright they were lately in And this was the State of Affairs in Africa at this time As for Dionysius he discerning that the Mercenaries bore him no Good Will and therefore lest they should depose him seiz'd upon Aristotle their General upon which the common Soldiers ran to their Arms and in great Rage demanded their Pay But he to appease them told them That he would send Aristotle to Lacedemon to be try'd there by the Democracy and gave them who were about Ten thousand the City and Country of Leontum for their Pay which they readily accepted for the sweetness and pleasantness of the Place and divided the Land amongst themselves by Lot Then he rais'd other Mercenaries to whom and to those that were Freemen of his own Family he committed the Care and Protection of his Government After the Overthrow of the Carthaginians all those that remain'd of them that belong'd to the Cities that were taken by the Carthaginians throughout Sicily got together and being restor'd to their several Countries began to get Strength again And Dionysius repeopled Dionysius re-peoples Messina Messina with a Thousand Lecrians Four thousand Medimneans and Six hundred Melesians of Peloponnesus who were Exiles from Zacynthus and Naupactus But when he discern'd that he had offended the Lacedemonians by planting the Messinians whom they had driven out in so eminent and considerable a City he remov'd them into another Ant. Ch. 394. Place in the Province of Abacena near the Sea limiting them within certain Bounds The Messinians call'd this City Tyndarides and living peaceably among themselves and receiving P. 438. many into the Freedom of their City they increas'd in a short time to above the Number of Five thousand After many Expeditions and Incursions into the Territories of the Sicilians they took Smenteum and Morgantium and enter'd into League with Agyris the King of the Agyroneans and Damon the Petty Prince of the Centorrippineans likewise with the Erbiteans and Astorines Cephaledium Selunta and Enua were also brought under their Power
and the rest of the Gallies came to Gnidus But Agesilaus being strengthen'd with Forces from Peloponnesus entred with an Army Ant. Ch. 393. into Boeotia where the Boeotians and their Confederates forthwith met him at Coronea and The Lacedemonians beat the Boeotians engag'd in which Battel the Boeotians put that Wing of the Lacedemonians to slight that oppos'd them and pursu'd them to their Camp but the rest after a small Resistance were routed by Agesilaus and his Party Whereupon the Lacedemonians looking upon themselves as Conquerors in token of Victory erected a Trophy and gave Leave to the Enemy to bury their Dead For there were kill'd of the Boeotians and their Confederates above Six hundred and of the Lacedemonians and their Associates above Three hundred and fifty Agesilaus himself being sorely wounded and carry'd to Delphos to be cur'd After the late Sea-fight Pharnabazus and Conon invaded the Confederates of the Lacedemonians with their whole Fleet and first forc'd them of Coos to a Defection from the Lacedemonians then those of * Nisea a Town on the East-side of the Isthmos of Peloponnenesus Nisea and †Tios a City in Paphligonia Tios or Teium Afterward the Chians forcing out the Garison there revolted to Conon The Mitylenes Ephesians and Erythreans likewise follow'd the Examples of the former And thus all the Cities on a sudden revolted some of which casting out the Lacedemonian Garisons took the opportunity absolutely to free themselves others from that time gave themselves up into Conon's Hands and from that time forward the Lacedemonians lost the Sovereignty of the Sea Conon determining to sail for Attica with his whole Fleet weighs Anchor and by the P. 442. way beinging over the Islands of the * Cyclades Islands of the Aegean Sea near Delos lying in a Round and therefore so call'd Cyclades to his side he makes straight for †Cythera an Island over against Crete Cythera which he gain'd upon the first Approach and taking Hostages of the Cythereans for their Fidelity he sent them away to Laconia and when he had put a strong Garison into the City he sail'd for Corinth where he had Audience of the Senate and then entring into a League and leaving Money with them for the carrying on of the War he return'd into Asia About this time Eropus King of Macedonia dy'd after he had reign'd Six Years his Son Pausanias succeeded him and reign'd only One Year Theopompus of Chius ends his History with this Year and with the Sea-fight at Cnidus containing the Relation of the Grecian Affairs in Twelve Books begun at the Sea-fight at Cynossema where Thucydides ends comprehending Seventeen Years Ant. Ch. 393. After the end of the last Year Eubulides was made Lord Chancellor of Athens and Olymp. 96. 3. An. M. 3578. Ant. Ch. 392. Six Military Tribunes executed the Consular Dignity at Rome Lucius Sergius Aulus Posthumius Publius Cornelius Sextus Centius Quintus Manlius and * Lucius Julius and Lucius Furius Anitius Camillus At that time Conon the Persian Admiral arrived in the Pireum at Athens with Fourscore Sail and promis'd the Citizens to rebuild the Walls of the City For the Walls and long Thighs of the Pyream were demolish'd by the Lacedemonians according to the Articles of the Peace when the Athenians were brought very low and their Power broken by the Peloponnâ—sian War To this end Conon hir'd many Workmen and order'd several out of Conon comes to Athens the Fleet to be assisting to the carrying on of the Work so that the greatest part of the Builds the Walls of the Pireum Wall was finish'd in a short time For the Thebans sent in Five hundred Carpenters and Masons and several other Cities gave their Assistance But Teribazus General of the Land Forces in Asia envying Conon's Successes contriv'd falsly to charge him as if he only made use of the King's Soldiers to get Towns and Cities for the Athenians therefore sending for him to Sardis upon his appearance he seiz'd him and threw him into Ant. Ch. 392. Prison But now at Corinth some that had thirsted after the chief Rule and Command in the Government entred into a Conspiracy and at the time of the publick Plays kill'd many The Sedition at Corinth in the Play-house and fill'd the City with Tumult and Sedition And being assisted by the Argives they cut the Throats of a Hundred and Twenty Citizens and Banish'd Five The Corinthian War hundred more The Lacedaemonians raised Forces in order to reduce these Murderers by Force of Arms But the Athenians and Beotians came with an Army to their assistance but with an Eye to bring the City into their Subjection But the Exiles with the Lacedaemonians and other Confederates in the Night came up to the Lecheum and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arsenal and took it by Storm The next day the Townsmen drew out their Forces under the Command of Iphicrates but were routed by the Lacedaemonians who slew a great number of them After this the Beotians and Athenians together with the Argives and Corinthians march'd down with their Forces to the Lecheum and at first after a short Resistance forced their way into the Castle But the Lacedaemonians and Exiles Valiantly renewing the Fight drove out the Beotians and all with them who were forced to return into the City with the loss of about a Thousand Men. And now the time of Celebrating the Isthmian Games approached and a Contest fell out amongst them concerning the Ordering and Management of the Sports And after much wrangling the Lacedaemonians prevail'd and gave to the Exiles the Authority of ordering that Affair And because almost all the Skirmishes and Encounters in this War happen'd near to Corinth it was call'd the Corinthian War and lasted Eight Years CHAP. X. The Quarrel between the Rhegians and Dionysius Mago the Carthaginian settles Affairs in Sicily Routed at Abacena by Dionysius Rhegium near surpriz'd by Dionysius The Acts of Iphicrates at Corinth Phlias and Sicyon Amyntas lost his Kingdom of Macedonia but was restor'd The Romans take Veii Dedicate a Golden Cup to Apollo Their Ambassadors are taken by the Pirates of the Lipari-Islands but discharg'd by Timasitheus MOreover about this time they of Rhegium quarrelled with Dionysius in Sicily because P. 443. Ant. Ch. 392. Quarrels between the Rhegians and Dionysius he had fortify'd Messina as if he intended thereby some Mischief against them Upon which they receiv'd into their Protection all that were driven out by Dionysius and all others that hated his Government Then they gave Mylas to the late Inhabitants of Naxus and Catana to be inhabited by them and sent Heloris with an Army to besiege Messina and while he in the first place besieg'd the Castle the Townsmen with the Mercenaries of Dionysius drew out and fell upon him routed him and kill'd above Five hundred of his Followers Then they presently set upon
Mylas and took it and and discharg'd all the Naxians that were there * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon terms of mutual Friendship who went to the Sicilian and Grecian Cities some to one place and some to another Dionysius now having made a League with the Cities that lay upon the Sea-Coasts determin'd to pass over with an Army against Rhegium But for the present his Design was retarded by the Sicilians at Tauromenum whom therefore he resolv'd in the first place to reduce Dionysius besieges Tauromenium to which end he marched thither with all his Forces and Encamp'd on that side towards Naxos and continu'd his Siege all Winter in hopes that the Sicilians would leave the Hill because they had not been long there But they having heard their Fathers declare that the ancient Sicilians the former Inhabitants of that Place were expuls'd thence by the Grecians when they arriv'd there and built Naxus they therefore concluded they had just cause both to defend their own Country and to revenge the Injury done to their Ancestors by the Greeks and so they defended the Place with great Resolution In the mean time while the Dispute was hot on both sides * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ant. Ch. 392. the Winter Solstice drew near at hand and Winter coming on apace all the Places near the Castle were full of Snow and Dionysius conceiving that the Sicilians by reason of the strength of the Place and height of the Walls kept but a slender Guard in the Castle he ascends those high and steep Places in a dark and tempestuous Night and with much difficulty by reason of the steepness of the Rock and depth of the Snow at length with a scarr'd Face and half blind with Cold and Snow possess'd himself of one part of the Castle Then presently forcing into another he laid open a Passage for his Army into the City Upon which the whole Power and Strength of the Sicilians ran together and drove the Dionystans out of the City and Castle and he himself by a blow upon his Brigandine in the pursuit was knock'd down and was very near falling alive into the hands of his Enemies And in regard the Sicilians had the advantage of high Ground from whence they gall'd the other above Six hundred of Dionysius's his Men were kill'd and many lost their Arms Dionysius himself Dionysius near killing sav'd only his Corslet After this Misfortune they of Agrigentum and Messina those that sided with Dionysius being at a great distance were altogether intent upon regaining their Liberty and therefore sent back Dionysius's Ambassador who was order'd to them to renew and continue the Confederacy and League that then was between them and the Tyâ—ant About this time Pausanias King of Sparta fled out of his Country by reason of some hainous Crimes laid to his charge by the Citizens when he had reign'd Fourteen Years Agistpolis his Soft succeeded him and continu'd as many years more Then likewise dy'd Pausaniaâ— King of Macedon whom Amyntas treacherously murther'd after he had reign'd only one Year Amyntas who thus thus got the Kingdom held it Four and twenty Years At the End of the Year Demostratus was chosen Archon of Athens and six Military Olymp. 96. 4. Ant. Ch. 391. Tribunes Lucius Titinius Publius Licinius Publius Melius Quintus * Maenius The Acts of Mago in Sicily P. 444. Mallius Gneius Genutius and Lucius Attilius govern'd as Consuls at Rome In their time Mago the Carthaginian General was busie in Sicily endeavouring to settle the Affairs of Carthage there which were then but in an ill Condition since the last slaughter and ruin of their Army To this end he carry'd himself with all Mildness and Humanity towards all the Cities within his Government and receiv'd all others into his Protection that were Enemies to Dionysius and enter'd into Leagues with many of the Sicilians At length he rais'd an Army and march'd against Messina and when he had wasted the Country he return'd with rich Booty and Encamp'd near Abacena a City of his Confederates But Dionysius with his Army march'd up to him and upon his approach both Armies were drawn out in order of Battel upon which there was a sharp and hot Engagement in which the Carthaginians were routed and fled to the City with the loss of above Eight hundred Men And Dionysius return'd to Syracuse But within a few days after he made an Expedition against Dionysius sets upon Rhegium in Italy Rhegium with an hundred Sail well Mann'd and coming upon them on a sudden in the Night he set the Gates on Fire and rear'd Scaling-Ladders to the Walls A few only of the Rhegians at first ran to repulse the Enemy and busied themselves in extinguishing the Fire but by the advice of Heloris the Governor they left the Fire and fell with all their force upon the Enemy and by that means sav'd their City For if they had continu'd Ant. Ch. 391. still in quenching the Flames so small a number could not have kept out the Dionysians till the rest of the Citizens had come in to their assistance For by throwing of Timber and other combustible matter from the Tops of the Houses next adjoining they rather increas'd the Fire Dionysius being thus disappointed in his design wastes and destroys all the Country round about with Fire and Sword but afterwards made a Truce with them for one Year and so return'd to Syracuse In the mean time the Grecians in Italy perceiving that Dionysius his Covetousness and The Grecians confederate in Italy against Dionysius Ambition extended as far as to their Countries enter'd into a general League and appointed a publick Place for their Common Assemblies By this means they hop'd that they should both be able to oppose Dionysius and likewise have an Army always ready to fight the Lucanians who were ever and anon making inroads upon them While these things were doing the Exiles that were in the Lecheum at Corinth being let into the City in the Night endeavour'd to possess themselves of the Walls but were The Lacedaemonians beaten by Iphicrates near Corinth driven out again by Iphicratis and forc'd to fly to the Arsenal with the loss of Three hundred Men. Within a few days after part of the Spartan Army march'd through the Territories of Corinth and were suddenly fallen upon by Iphicrates and some other Confederates who out off the greatest part of them And marching from thence with his Light-arm'd Men against Phlias he engag'd with them that came out of the Town and kill'd above Three hundred of them Hence he made against Sicyon who drew out under Ant. Ch. 391 the Walls and fought him but were beaten and forc'd into the City with the loss of Five hundred Citizens After these things the Argives with all their Forces came against Corinth and took both Corinth taken by the Argives the Castle and City and join'd that Territory to their
That Time and Want would ruin the Carthaginians without Fighting Upon this delay the Syracusians were so enrag'd that they deserted his Camp Hereupon he was in a great Fright and forthwith made free all the Slaves Yet afterwards the Carthaginians sending Ambassadors to treat upon Terms of Peace he made Peace with them Dionysius makes Peace with the Carthaginians and forthwith restor'd the Servants and Slaves to their Masters The Conditions were like the former but something fuller in this That the Sicilians should be Subject to Dionysius and that he should have Tauromenium When the Articles were Sign'd and Confirmed Mago left Sicily and Dionysius after his taking possession of Tauromenium banish'd thence most of the Sicilians and plac'd in their room the Choicest of his Mercenaries Thus stood the Affairs of Sicily at this time And in Italy the Romans took * Rather Phalerium Falerum a City of the Falisci by storm After the End of the Former this Year Nicoteles executed the Office of chief Magistrate Olymp. 97. 2. Ant. Ch. 389. at Athens and three Military Tribunes Marcus Furius Caius Aemilius and Catlus Berus were vested with the Consular Dignity at Rome At this time they of Rhodes that sided with the Lacedaemonians expell'd all the Citizens that favour'd the Athenians and when they got together in Arms to defend their Interest the Lacedaemonian Confederates routed them with the slaughter of many and proscrib'd all the rest that made their Escape And The Lacedaemonians fled to Rhodes because they were afraid lest the Citizens should be contriving some Innovations they sent for Aid from Lacedaemon Upon this the Lacedaemonians setting out seven Gallies sent away Eudocimus Philodicus and Diphila to manage Affairs there who arriving at Samos caus'd the City to fall off from the Athenians Then coming to Rhodes they busy'd themselves in settling and composing Matters there And now the Lacedaemonians seeing their Affairs to succeed and prosper they resolved again to recover the Dominion of the Sea Prepare a Fleet. and to that end prepar'd a Fleet and by degrees brought in more and more Confederates to join with them And for the same purpose they fail'd to Samos Rhodes and Cnidus and getting together Shipping from all Parts they Listed from thence the best Seamen they could get and at length bravely Equipped a Fleet of Twenty seven Gallies P. 447. At that time Agesilaus King of Lacedaemon hearing that the Argives lay Encamp'd at the Siege of Corinth made an Incursion into the Territories of Argos with all the Forces of Sparta except one Regiment and having Plunder'd and Spoil'd the People of their Goods and Cattel and cutting down the Trees all along through the Country he returned to Sparta In Cyprus Evagoras of Salamis a Man of a Noble Family for he was descended from Ant. Ch. 389. the Founders of that City who was then sometime before expuls'd the City by a Sedition Evagoras made King of Salamis but return'd not long after with a small number of Men his Consederates drave Abdemon the Tyrrian Petit-Prince of Salamis a Friend and Allie of the King of Persia out of the City and so at first became King only of Salamis the Greatest and Richest City of Cyprus but in a short time after growing Rich he raised an Army and purpos'd to bring the whole Island under his Dominion To which end he gain'd some Cities by Force and others he wan by fair Promises But the Amathusians Solians and Citians resolving to stand it out sent Ambassadors to Artaxerxes for aid and charg'd Evagoras The King of Persia prepares for War against Evagoras with the Killing of Agyris the Persians Confederate and promis'd to be assistant to the King in getting the Island into his Hands The King therefore both to clip the Wings of Evagoras that he might not grow too strong and for that he consider'd the commodious Situation of the Place for the supply and provision of the Shipping whereby he might defend Asia gave order to send Aid to the Islanders Dismissing therefore the Ambassadors he sent Letters to all the Sea-Port-Towns and their Governors to build with all speed what Ships they could and to furnish them with Tackle and all things necessary for the Use of the Navy He commanded likewise * Hercatomnus Hecatomnus Lord-Lieutenant of Caria to make War upon Evagoras And he himself going through the Cities of the Upper Asia sail'd thence with a great Army to Cyprus And such were the Affairs of Asia at this time In Italy the Romans after they had made Peace with the Falisci began the Fourth War against the Equi and took Sutrium by Storm but lost the Town of Verrugo When this Year ended Demostratus was chosen Archon or Lord-Chancellor of Athens Olym 97. 3. and Lucius Lucretius and * Servilius Sulpitius Ant. Ch. 388. Thimbro sent into Asia Servilius Cossus were Roman Consuls At this time Artaxerxes declar'd Strutha his General and sent him down with an Army to the Sea-Coasts against the Lacedaemonians and they hearing of his March sent Thimbro their General into Asia against him who possess'd himself of the Castle Jonda and of the high and steep Mountain Corossus about Forty * About 5 Mile Stages distant from Ephesus From thence he wasted and spoiled the King's Provinces with Eight thousand Men that he had rais'd in Asia But Struthas who with a great Body of Horse and Five thousand Heavy-arm'd Men and with above Twenty thousand Light-arm'd Encamp'd near to the Lacedaemonians at length when Thimbro was out with a Party and had loaded himself with Plunder on a sudden and by surprise fell upon him and kill'd him and took and kill'd many of his Soldiers and the rest being but few escap'd to the Castle Cnidiniam At the same time Thrasybulus the Athenian General loosing from Lesbos arriv'd with his Fleet at Aspendus and Anchor'd at the River Eurymedon and thô he receiv'd Contributions from them of Aspendus yet some of his Soldiers Ravag'd and Plunder'd the Country P. 448. which highly provok'd the Aspendians in so much that in the Night they set upon the Athenians and kill'd many of them together with Thrasybulus himself which struck Thrasybulus kill'd Ant. Ch. 388. such a Terror into the Captains and Officers of the Fleet that they forthwith return'd to their Ships and sail'd to Rhodes where finding that the City had deserted them they join'd with the Exiles that posess'd themselves of a certain Castle and put themselves in Array against the City But as soon as the Athenians heard of the Death of Thrasybulus they dispatch'd away Argyrius to be General in his room Thus stood the Affairs of Asia at that time CHAP. XII Dionysius his Expedition against Rhegium The War between the Lucanians and Thurians in Italy The Thurians cut off by their own rashness Leptines generously sav'd those that swam to his Ships though he was a Friend to
Forty long Ships or Men of War besides Three hundred Transport Ships for carrying of Corn and Provision He arriv'd at Messina the Fifth day and there refresh'd his Army from thence he sent away Thearides his Brother with Forty Sail to the Lipari Islands for it was reported that Ten Ships of Rhegium lay there Thearides therefore hastning thither found out the Ships in a place fit for his purpose and possessing himself of them with all their Men on board he forthwith return'd to Messina to Dionysius who deliver'd the Prisoners bound in Chains to the custody of the Messinians Then he Transported his Forces to * Or Caulum in Locris P. 450. Heloris made General for the Italians against Dionysius Caulonia and laid close Siege to the Caulonia besieg'd by Dionysius City on every side and batter'd it with his Engines But the Greeks in Italy as soon as they heard of the Landing of Dionysius's Forces rais'd Men and got together an Army from all parts Crotona at that time was very populous and many that fled and that were forc'd out of Syracuse inhabited there The Chief Command and management therefore of the War was committed to them and Heloris the Syracusian was made General of all the Forces He was a valiant Man and they concluded he would be faithful because he hated the Tyrant who had banish'd him out of his Country When he had muster'd all the Confederate Army at Crotona and order'd all things as he thought fit he hasted away with a swift March towards Caulonia hoping by coming upon them suddainly and unexpectedly he should not only raise the Siege but likewise rout them with ease being harass'd and tyr'd out with their continual toil and labour in assaulting the Town His Army consisted of Twenty thousand Foot and Two Ant. Ch. 387. A Fight between Heloris and Dionysius near Caulonia thousand Horse Having marched the greatest part of his way he encamp'd at the River Heloris thereupon Dionysius drew off from the City to meet the Italians Upon which Heloris at the head of Five hundred of the choicest Men in the Army march'd before the rest Dionysius encamping about Forty * Furlongs Five Miles Stages from the Enemy understood by his Spies that the Italians drew near upon which he forthwith very early in the Morning rouz'd his Soldiers from Sleep and commanded them to march forward and about break of day fell upon the Helorians with his Army in good order of Battle giving the Enemy no time to get into a Body so that Heloris was in a great strait and with those he had with him bore the brunt of the Enemies whole Force but in the mean time he sent away some Friends to the Camp to bring up the rest of the Army with all speed who diligently executed their Orders Upon which the Italians hearing in what hazard their General was ran in a great hurry to his assistance But Dionysius with a well-order'd Body of Men doing execution in every place cut off Heloris and almost all his Party tho' they fought with great Resolution and Gallantry For the Italians coming in to their help but scattering and by parties 〈◊〉 Sicilians keeping orderly together easily overcame them However the Crecians for some time despis'd danger and suffer'd Dionysius routs the Italians Ant. Ch. 387. much tho' they saw great numbers of their fellows lie dead upon the spot But when they heard of the death of their General in great confusion they trode down and kill'd one another and at last being totally discourag'd and out of heart they fled out-right Upon which many were kill'd up and down in the fields and the rest betook themselves to a Mount sufficiently fortify'd and very defensible save that it wanted Water Dionysius block'd up the place with his Army and closely guarded it all that day and the following night The next day they that were in the Hill being much incommoded by the heat and by lack of Water sent a Trumpet to Dionysius that they might have liberty to ransom themselves Who at length growing moderate in the height of his good Fortune sent them word that they should lay down their Arms and surrender themselves upon discretion Upon return of these harsh and hard Terms they held out longer for some short time But being grievously press'd by the necessity of Nature and almost Starv'd they surrendred themselves about the Eight Hour Dionysius hereupon numbred them as they came down by striking the ground with a Staff and they amounted to above Ten thousand They were all afraid he would have been as cruel as a wild Dionysius deals nobly with the distressed Italians Beast but he then approv'd himself the mildest of all Men living For he discharg'd all the prisoners without Ransom and made Peace with them and suffer'd the Cities to Govern according to their own Laws For which great Grace and Favour he was highly Honour'd and his Name was so great that they presented him with Golden Crowns And this was the most worthy Action that ever he did almost throughout his whole Life From hence he march'd with his Forces against Rhegium with a design to besiege it He marches to Rhegium to be reveng'd for their slight of him in denying him a Wise from some of their own City The Rhegians were greatly terrify'd at his approach for they had neither Confederates nor Forces of their own sufficient to cope with him besides they foresaw that there was no Mercy to be expected if the City were taken Therefore they sent an Ambassador P. 451. to him to intreat him to shew them Favour and to use them like Men. Upon which he demanded a Tribute of Three hundred Talents and that they should deliver into his hands all their Fleet which were Seventy in number and send out to him an Hundred Hostages all which terms were agreed unto Whereupon he mov'd towards Caulonia and transported all the Inhabitants of that place to Syracuse and incorporated them into the City and granted to them freedom from the publick Taxes for the space of Five Years As for Caulonia it self he raz'd it to Caulonia raz'd the Ground but gave the Territory to the Locrians About the same time the Romans after the taking of the City Lifaeca from the Aequi celebrated the stately Plays which the Consuls had vow'd to Jupiter After the end of the year Pyrrhio executed the Office of Lord Chancelor of Athens Olymp. 98. 1. Ant. Ch. 396. the next and Four Military Tribunes Lucius Lucretius Servius Sulpitius Caius Aemilius and Caius Rufus were invested with the Consular Dignity at Rome Then was acted the Ninety eighth Olympiad wherein Sosippus the Athenian carry'd away the Prize About * Lucius Furius the same time Dionysius the Prince of Syracuse entred * A City of the Brutians in Italy Hipponium with his Army and Transported all the Citizens to Syracuse and when he had raz'd the Town he
make War upon them by them that did agree These Terms were allow'd and so the Lacedemonians rested from War But the Athenians and Thebans with some others were much vex'd and highly concern'd to see the Cities of Asia thus betray'd but not being able to contend with Persia by their own strength they were forc'd to embrace Peace upon the same Terms And now the King being free from the long and tedious War with the Grecians he prepar'd and made ready an Army for the Cyprian War For Evagoras had rais'd a vast P. 453. Army almost throughout all Cyprus taking advantage of Artaxerxes his being engag'd in a War with the Greeks In the mean time Dionysius having continu'd the Siege of Rhegium now for the space of Eleven Months and obstructed all ways and means of Relief he brought the Besieg'd to the utmost extremity through want of all things necessary For it 's reported that at that time a Bushel of Wheat was sold for Five * 15 l. 12 s. 6 d. The miserable condition of Rhegium Ant. Ch. 385. Minas and the Famine was so great that they first eat up their Horses and then all other Beasts of Burden and at length fed upon boild Skins and Leather And at the last they came out of the Town and like Cattle began to eat the Grass that grew under the Walls so that to supply Nature they were forc'd to feed upon those things proper to the Beasts of the Field for want of Man's ordinary Food When Dionysius heard what the Rhegians did he was so far from commiserating them who were sunk in Misery below the common condition of Mankind that he added to their Affliction and put in his Carriage Horses and other Draught Cattle to Graze there where they us'd to feed and so eat up all that poor Provision which Rhegium surrendred was only left for them The Citizens being thus overcome by extream Famine no longer to be born were forc'd to deliver up themselves and their City to the Tyrant's Mercy When he entred he found heaps of Carkasses lying in the Streets who perish'd for want of Bread and those that were alive were like walking Ghosts lean and almost pin'd away by Famine However he got together above Six thousand Prisoners and sent them to Syracuse with Orders that whoever paid a Mina might be redeem'd and for those that were not able he sold them all for Slaves Phyto the Governour he The cruel usage of Phito the Governor of Rhegium bound in Chains and caus'd his Son to be hurl'd into the Sea and fastned Phyto himself to the top of one of his highest Engines that the severity of his punishment might be taken notice of by all and sent one of his Guard to tell him that his Son was drown'd the day before to whom Phito answer'd that his Son was by one day more happy than his Father After this he order'd him to be whip'd through the City and to be scoff'd and scorn'd and undergo all sorts of Cruelty A Cryer the mean time making Proclamation That the Raseal was so severely dealt with because he stirr'd up the City to the War But Phito who had all along thro the Siege approv'd himself a valiant Commander and during Ant. Ch. 385. his whole Life was Esteem'd and Honour'd was not then the least discourag'd at Death but with an undaunted Courage cry'd out That he thus suffer'd because he would not betray the City to Dionysius However God would revenge him of the Tyrant in a short time This admirable Courage and brave Spirit of the Man began to work compassion in some of Dionysius's Soldiers so that they began to murmur Upon which Dionysius being afraid lest Phito should be rescu'd left off tormenting him and order'd the miserable Man with all his Kindred to be drown'd in the Sea Thus suffer'd this worthy Man who deserv'd much better than to undergo so heavy and dreadful a punishment And many Grecians there were who griev'd for his sad misfortune and several Poets in after times made Elegies upon his mournful and lamentable end At the same time when Dionysius lay at the Siege of Rhegium the Gauls who lay beyond the Alps pass'd over those straits with a numerous Army and possest themselves of all the Country lying between the Apenine Hills and the Alps driving thence the Tyrrhenians The Galls enter Italy the natural Inhabitants Some say they were Colonies sent thither from Twelve Cities in * A Province in Italy Tyrrhenia Others say they were Pelasgians who before the Trojan War fled out of Thessaly at the time of Deucalion's Flood and setled themselves in these parts As for the Gauls they were a People that were divided into several Tribes and dwelt in several Countries Those call'd the Senones inhabited the Mountain furthest from the Sea of all the other Mountains and because the Heat was excessive and troublesome to Ant. Ch. 385. P. 454. them they resolv'd to seek for themselves some more commodious Habitations To this end they sent forth the ablest of their young Men well Arm'd to find out some other Seats who making an irruption into * Hetruria rather Tyrrhenia with Thirty thousand Men wasted and spoil'd the Territories of the Caulonians About this time the Romans sent Ambassadors into Tyrrhenia to gain intelligence what this Expedition of the Gauls meant Who when they came to Clusium and saw the Armies Hetruria on both sides drawn up in Battalia ready to engage with more Valour than Prudence they join'd with them of Clusium and sought with the Enemy And one of the Ambassadors by good fortune kill'd one of the Noblest Commanders of the Gauls who when they heard of it sent Ambassadors to Rome to require the Ambassador who had kill'd the Gaul to be deliver'd up to them as one that had begun an unjust War Upon which the Senate would have persuaded the Ambassadors to have accepted Money in satisfaction of the injury But when they refusd it it was Decreed that the Person should be deliver'd Upon this the Father of him who was to be given up into the Enemies hands being then of Consular Dignity and one of the Military Tribunes and being likewise very rich and of great Interest and Account with the Commonalty referr'd the decision of the matter to the People and so easily procur'd the Judgment and Decree of the Senate to be repeal'd From this time the People began to rescind the Decrees of the Senate tho' ever before they always submitted to them Ant. Ch. 385. But the Ambassadors of the Gauls return'd to their Camp and Declar'd what Answer was given them by the Romans Upon which they were in a great Rage and increas'd their Army with new rais'd Forces out of their own Country and forthwith march'd towards Rome with above Seventy thousand Men. When the news came to Rome the Military Tribunes commanded all that were able to bear Arms to List
themselves who marching out of the City pass'd over Tyber and came with all their Forces unto a * Allia Ten Miles from Rome River Fourscore Furlongs from Rome where when they understood that the Enemy was near at hand drew up their Army in this manner Their best Soldiers to the number of Four and twenty thousand they posted all along from the River to the Hills adjoining the rest were plac'd upon the rising Grounds On the other hand the Enemy out winging the Romans their strongest and ablest Soldiers whether on purpose or by chance is uncertain fronted those weaker and unexperienc'd Soldiers on the Hills And now the Trumpets on both sides sounded a Charge Whereupon the Armies ran one upon another with a great shout And those Gauls that set upon them that were upon the Hills presently clear'd the place of them who fled in great confusion to their own Men into the Plain so that by their flight and the hot pursuit of the Gauls they broke and disorder'd their own Army and put them likewise to the Run And while the greatest part of them made to the River and in great precipitation The Romans routed by the Gauls Ant. Ch. 385. and confusion trode down one another the Enemy without intermission kill'd all still that were in the Rear so that the whole Field was cover'd with dead Bodies Some of the stoutest of those that fled to the River swam over with their Arms prizing them as much as their Lives But many of them through the violence of the Stream and the weight of their Arms were drown'd Some with great difficulty after they had fled a long way and in by paths with much a do escap'd However many still pursu'd close by the Enemy who made a great slaughter among them upon the Bank of the River threw away their Arms and swam over Tiber. And tho' the Gauls had cut off so many upon the Shoar yet such was their continu'd Rage that they cast their Darts and Javelins after them that took the Water And many Darts being P. 55. hurl'd amongst shoals of them that were swimming no small execution was done so that some were kill'd forthwith and others so wounded that through loss of Blood and strength of the Current they were spent and carry'd away by the Stream The greatest number of those that escap'd from this sad Overthrow of the Romans took into Veâ—â— lately ruin'd by them and fortifying the Place as well as they could receiv'd the rest that fled thither Those few who swam the River and return'd unarm'd into Rome related how the whole Army was destroy'd which sad News greatly amaz'd all those that were left in the City For the Strength and Flower of the Citizens being now cut off they look'd upon themselves unable in the least to resist And besides Ant. Ch. 385. to aggravate their Misery it seem'd to them impossible to fly with their Wives and Children without the greatest Hazard imaginable the Enemy being so near Therefore many of the ordinary sort remov'd with their whole Families to the neighbouring Towns and Villages But the City-Magistrates encouraging the People order'd that Victuals and all other Necessaries should be brought into the Capitol by which means both the Castle and Capitol was fill'd not only with Meat and Provision but with Silver and Gold and all sorts of rich Garments and Attire Goods of all kinds throughout the whole City being heap'd together in this one Place for they had but three Days time to remove what was moveable and to fortifie the Place For the Gauls spent the first Day according to the Custom of their Country in cutting off the Heads of those that were slain the other two Days they lay quiet in their Camp now close to the City For when they discern'd that the Walls were left bare and undefended and yet heard a confus'd Noise occasion'd by the bringing in of Houshold-Goods and other Things useful into the Capitol they suspected some Stratagem was designing against Rome taken them But the fourth Day when they came to understand the Truth they broke down the Gates and laid all the City in rubbish except a few Houses upon Mount Pallatine And tho' afterwards they press'd upon them in the Capitol with continual Assaults yet they within suffer'd little by it but many of the Gauls perish'd However they stuck The Capitol besieg'd close to the Siege hoping tho' they could not gain the Place by force yet at least in time when all the Provision and Victuals was spent they might possess themselves of the Fort. While the Roman Affairs were thus perplex'd the Tuscans their Neighbours made an Incursion with a great Army into their Territories and wasted and destroy'd all before them But when they had got many Prisoners and much Spoil and Plunder into their hands the Romans that had fled to Veii set upon them on the sudden and put them to flight and not only recover'd all the Spoil but likewise possess'd themselves of all their Tents And by this means being furnish'd with a great number of Arms they arm'd Ant. Ch. 385. their Fellow-Soldiers who hitherto were unarm'd since the late Defeat and got together a Company of Country-Fellows from several Parts and likewise arm'd them For they had a design to raise the Siege of the Capitol but were most perplex'd and concern'd how to give notice of their Purpose to the Besieg'd in regard the Gauls so straitly block'd it up Upon this one Pontius Caminius undertook to get into the Capitol to which end he pass'd on himself alone and privately in the night swam over the River and ascending a steep Rock of the Capitol with great difficulty drew himself up and so came to the Besieg'd and acquainted them that they of Veii were in a Body and that they intended to fall upon the Gauls upon the first Opportunity and having deliver'd his Message he return'd to Veii the same way he came But when the Gauls perceiv'd by the Impressions of a Man's Feet that some Person had lately pass'd that way into the Castle they determin'd to attempt to make an Entry by climbing the Rock in that part And to that end about midnight the Guards being careless trusting to the Strength of the Place some of the Gauls got up to the top but were not taken notice of by the Watch but the Geese dedicated to Juno that fed there seeing them appear P 456. above the Walls presently made a great gagling and noise which so alarm'd the Watch that they all ran to the Place upon which the Gauls now betray'd and afrighted durst not proceed any further In the mean time that famous Man Marcus Manlius hasting to the Defence of the Place cut off the Hand of a Gaul as he was raising himself to recover the Wall and by Ant. Ch. 385. a thrust in his Breast with the Boss of his Buckler cast him down headlong from the top of
Lords of all Greece both by Sea and Land Sparta in its strength For the Thebans were overaw'd by a Garrison the Corinthians and Argives were tyr'd out with Wars one with another the Athenians for their Covetousness and Cruelty exercis'd among those they had Subdu'd were despis'd by all the Grecians On the other hand all were afraid of the Lacedemonians because they were very Populous expert Soldiers and unweari'd in their Attempts Insomuch that the greatest of the Princes in those times I mean the King of Persia and Dyonysius the Tyrant of Sicily Courted the Spartans and were ambitious of their Alliance Afterward when Nico govern'd at Athens and Six Military Tribunes were Created Olymp. 100. 2. Ant. Ch. 377. Consuls at Rome Lucius Papyrius Caius Cornelius Lucius Manlius Caius Servilius Valerius Aulius and Quintius Fabius the Carthaginians enter'd with an Army into Italy and Restor'd the Hipponiats to their City whence they had been Expuls'd and kindly receiv'd * Menenius all the Exiles that came in to them from all Parts Not long after a great Plague happen'd in Carthage which Raging more and more A Plague in Carthage Ant. Ch. 377. swept away abundance of the Inhabitants insomuch that they were in great danger to have lost their Sovereignty For the Africans slighted and deserted them the Inhabitant of Sardinia supposing they had now a fit opportunity Revolted and rose up in Arms against them Moreover a Remarkable Judgment of God fell upon Carthage The Carthaginians kill one another in the Streets at this time for the City was all on a sudden in an uproar fill'd with Tumult Fear and Horrour and many running Arm'd out of their Houses as if an Enemy had entr'd the Place Fought Wounded and Killd one another in the Streets At length the Gods being Appeas'd by Sacrifices and they deliver'd out of their sad Afflictions they presently Subdu'd the Africans and Recover'd Sardinia After these things when Nausinicus chief Governor of Athens and four Military Olymp. 100. 3. An. M. 3594. Ant. Ch. 376. The Boetian War Tribunes Marcus Cornelius Servilius Quinctius Marcus Furius and Lucius Quinctius were Cloth'd with the Consular dignity at Rome the Beotian War so call'd broke out between the Beotians and the Lacedemonians upon the Accounts following The Lacedemonians against all Law and Justice forcibly detain'd the Citadel of Cadmea and had forc'd many Persons of Quality to fly out of their own Countrey The Exiles therefore upon a private Consult among themselves by the help of the Athenians return'd in the Night into their City and in the first place kill'd all those they judg'd sided with the Lacedemonians surprizing them in their Houses when they were asleep then they stirr'd up all P. 470. The Thebans get in a Body to retake the Citadel the Common People to appear for their Liberties upon which the whole City of Thebes readily came in to their assistance and getting into a Body clapt about Cadmea at break of Day In the mean time the Lacedemonian Garrison that was in the Citadel which consisted of no fewer than Fifteen hundred Men sent a Messenger to Sparta to inform them of the Insurrection in Thebes and to desire Aid with all speed However Ant. 376. they from the Bastions in the Citadel beat off the Besiegers killing and wounding many Upon this the Thebans concluding that great Forces would be brought out of Greece to the assistance of the Lacedemonians sent Ambassadors to Athens to put them in mind how they had been assisted by the Thebans at that time when they rescu'd their Commonwealth from the Slavery they suffer'd under the Thirty Tyrants and therefore that they should press them that they would hasten with all the force they had to help them to Reduce Cadmea before any Aid came from Sparta The People of Athens as soon as they heard what was desir'd by the Thebans decreed that without delay a Strong and Considerable Army should be sent to help them The Athenians assist the Thebans to regain their Liberty both to demonstrate their Gratitude for their former Services and likewise hoping thereby so to oblige the Thebans as that they should ever find them fast and constant Friends to assist them at all times against the growing and boundless power of the Lacedemonians For the Thebans were lookt upon not to be Inferior to any in Greece for number or valour of Men. In conclusion the Athenians made Demophoon General over Five thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse who drew out before Day next Morning and hasted away with a swift March that he might be before the Lacedemonians however the People of Athens were ready and prepar'd to March out with all their Forces into Beotia if the Thebans had occasion for them Demophoon with great expedition beyond expectation appear'd in view of them of Thebes and Souldiers came together with the like Zeal and Earnestness from other Cities of Beotia so that the Thebans had now a numerous Army consisting of no less than Twelve thousand Ant. Ch. 376. Foot and about Two thousand Horse and all Chearfully and Readily bestirr'd themselves to Besiege the Citadel The Army divided themselves into parties and assaulted the Place by turns persisting without any Cessation Night and Day In the mean time they in the Castle incourag'd by their Officers bore the Brunt with great Courage hoping to receive speedy Succours from the Lacedemonians And indeed they Valiantly stood it out while they had any Victuals left killing and wounding many of the Assailants having the advantage of the strength of the Fort. But when their Provision grew low and the Lacedemonians lingr'd in sending Relief the Garrison began to Mutiny For the Lacedemonians were for the standing of it out to the last Man but the Auxiliaries from the Confederate Cities who were the greater number were for delivering it up so the Spartans who were but few were forc'd to Surrender the Citadel and being dismiss'd according to Articles return'd to Peleponnesus At length the Lacedemonians The Citadel is surrender'd came with their Army to Thebes but having lost their opportunity through the slowness of their March all was to no purpose But they Try'd three of the Officers of the Garrison by a Council of War and Condemn'd two of them to Die and impos'd so great a Mulct and Fine upon the Third as that he was never able to pay it Afterwards the Athenians return'd into their own Country and the Thebans spent much time in vain in the Siege of Thespis During these affairs the Romans sent a Colony of Five P. 471. hundred Citizens into Sardinia upon Terms of being free from Tribute Afterwards when Callias was Lord Chancellor of Athens and four Military Tribunes Olymp. 100 4. Ant. Ch. 375. Lucius Papyrius Marcus * Publiu Publius †Cornelius Titus * Tiâ—o Cornelius and †Luc. Quinctius Quintus Lucius were honour'd with the
many Noble Exploits in the Wars yet he glory'd more in this than in all others before and by the favour of the Chabrias highly honour'd by the Thebans People procur'd Statues to be erected in memory of the Project representing the thing as it was done The Thebans after the departure of Agesilaus set upon Thespiae and kill'd the Guard which consisted of Two hundred Men but making several Assaults upon the City tho' all in vain they drew off in order to their return with their Forces to Thebes Upon which Phebidas the Lacedaemonian the Governour of Thespiae who kept the Place with a strong Garison made a Sally upon the Thebans in their retreat and through his pressing on too rashly after many Wounds receiv'd and signalizing his Valour he lost his own Life and the Lives of above Five hundred of his Fellows Phebidas Kill'd Not long after the Lacedaemonians march'd against Thebes with the same Army And then again the Thebans possest themselves of some other Places that were of difficult access by which means they did indeed hinder the wasting and spoiling the Country but dar'd not at first to engage with the Enemy in the Plain But upon the appearance of Agesilaus Ant. Ch. 374. in the Van of the Army they began to march slowly towards him and after long time the Armies at length engag'd with great Heat and Fury At the first Agesilaus had the advantage but when he discern'd the whole City of Thebes to sally out upon him he A Fight near Thebes P. 475. The Lacedaemonians are repuls'd A Sea-Fight sounded a Retreat Whereupon the Thebans judging themselves nothing inferior to the Lacedaemonians erected a Trophy and never after stuck to engage with the Spartans And this was the issue of the Fights at Land But about the same time there was a great Fight at Sea between Naxus and Paros upon this occasion Pollis the Lacedaemonian Admiral had intelligence of a great quantity of Corn that was passing by Sea to Athens upon which he made it his Business to lie in wait to surprize the Transport-Ships The Athenians being inform'd of the Design sent out a Fleet to guard the Ships loaden with the Provision and brought them all into the Pireum After this Chabrias the Athenian Admiral sail'd with the whole Fleet to Naxus and besieg'd The Sea-Fight at Naxus it and battering it with his Engines us'd his utmost endeavour to take it by storm But while he was earnest in prosecuting his Design Pollis the Lacedaemonian Admiral came up with his Fleet to the Assistance of the Naxians upon which the Fleets engag'd charging one another in a Line of Battel Pollis had a Navy of Sixty five Sail and Chabrias Eighty three Pollis in the Right Wing valiantly charg'd the Athenians in the Left Commanded by Cedon the Athenian whom he kill'd and sunk his Vessel He fell likewise upon others and broke some of them in pieces with the Beaks of his Ships and put the rest to flight Which Chabrias discerning he ordered some Ships near him to the Ant. Ch. 374. Relief of those that were overpower'd and so rescu'd them He himself with the greatest part of the Fleet under his Command with great Valour broke in pieces and took many of his Enemy's Gallies But however tho' he obtain'd the Victory and put the Enemy's whole Fleet to flight yet he would not pursue remembring the Battel at Arginusa where tho' the Athenians were Victorious yet the People instead of a Reward put the Officers to death only because they did not bury their Parents who were kill'd in that Fight Fearing therefore the like Fate he wav'd the Pursuit and took up the Citizens swimming and floating here and there and so preserv'd those that were alive and order'd the Dead to be bury'd In this Battel the Athenians lost Eighteen Gallies and the Lacedaemonians Four and twenty and Eight were taken with all the Men. Chabrias crown'd with this glorious Victory return'd with great and rich Spoils to the Pireum and was receiv'd by the Citizens with great Honour and Acclamation This was the First Victory at Sea gain'd by the Athenians since the Peloponnesian War for at Cnidus they prevail'd not by the Strength of their own Forces but by the Assistance of the King of Persia While these things were acted in Greece Marcus Manlius was put to death at Rome for aspiring to the Monarchy CHAP. IV. The Treballians make Incursions into Thrace Chabrias the Athenian General Assassinated The Thebans rout the Spartans at Orchomena Artaxerxes seeks to make Peace among the Graecians Peace concluded The Thebans only disagreed The Commendation of Epaminondas Seditions in several Cities of Greece WHEN Chariander was Archon at Athens and Servius Sulpitius Lucius Papyrius Olymp. 101. 1. Act. Ch. 373. * Marcus Cornelius Cornelius Titus and * Titus Quintius P. 476. Treballians make an Inroad into Thrace Are slaughter'd by the Abderites Marcus Quintius Four Military Tribunes were in Consular Authority at Rome the Hundred and First Olympiad was celebrated at Elis and Damon of Thurium bore away the Prize At that time the Treballians in Thrace being in great Scarcity of Corn made an Incursion with Thirty thousand arm'd Men into their Neighbours Territories to get Provision To that end they enter'd the Borders of the Abderites in another part of Thrace and wasted and spoiled the Country without any Opposition and having loaden themselves with abundance of Plunder they return'd so carelesly and disorderly as that the whole City of Abderita falling upon them when they were scatter'd and dispers'd kill'd above Two thousand of them To revenge which the Exasperated Barbarians made a second Inroad into the Abderites Country But they being encourag'd by the late Victory and strengthen'd with the assistance of their Neighbour Thracians drew up in Battalia against the Barbarians The Armies furiously engag'd The Abderites cut off The Abderites rescu'd by Chabrias when on a sudden the Thracians drew off and left the Abderites to themselves Who were presently hemm'd in by the Barbarians and almost every Man cut off As soon as this grievous Slaughter of the Abderites was nois'd abroad and they were now ready to be besieg'd in comes Chabrias the Athenian with his Army and not only delivers the Abderites but drives the Barbarians out of the Country And after he had Chabrias assassinated Ant. Ch. 373. strengthen'd the City with a strong Garison he was basely assassinated the Person by whom not known Upon this Timotheus was made Admiral of the Athenian Fleet and sailing to Cephallenia he block'd up the City with his Navy and wrought upon the Cities of Acarnania to side with the Athenians Presently after he enter'd into League with Acetas The Acts of Timotheus the Athenian General King of the Molossians and now having in his power all the Countries subject to the Cities in those Parts he routed the Lacedaemonians in a Sea Fight at Leucades
Macedonia but the King of Macedon being join'd with the Deserters brought his Forces presently to Larissa Ant. Ch. 367. and so prevented him When he came there the Citizens open'd the Gates to him and so he became Master of all but the Castle which he afterwards took by Force The The City Cranon likewise surrendr'd to him and he promis'd to restore all the Cities to He 's caus'd to Fly by assistance from the Macedonian King the Thessalians But afterwards not valuing his Word or Honour he Garrison'd them and detain'd them all in his own hands But Alexander the Pherean in a great Fright Fled to the City Pherea And this was then the Condition of Thessaly CHAP. VII The Lacedaemonians send Polytropus into Arcadia who is Slain and his Party Routed by Lycomedes An Invasion by Epaminondas and Pelopidas into Peloponnesus Sparta Besieg'd The Antiquity and History of Messina in Greece Pallane taken by the Arcadians A Wall drawn between Cenchrea and Lecheum to hinder the Thebans Inroad into Peloponnesus Epaminondas breaks through into Peloponnesus Assaults Corinth IN Peloponnesus in the mean time the Lacedemonians sent a Thousand heavy Arm'd Men of their own Citizens and Five hundred Deserters from Argos and Beotia into Arcadia under the Command of Polytropus who when he came to Orchomenon in Arcadia put a Garrison into it being a City that favour'd the Spartans But Lycomedes of Mantinea then Commander in Chief of the Arcadians with a Body of Men to the number The Mantenieans March against Orchomenon of Five thousand March'd against Orchomenon and upon their arrival the Lacedemonians drew out their Forces where happen'd a sharp Engagement in which the Lacedemonian General was slain and two hundred more with him The rest by the hot Pursuit of the Enemy were forc'd back into the City However tho' the Arcadians then got the Victory yet they so far fear'd the power of Sparta that they durst not depend upon their own strength in Contending with the Lacedemonians and therefore taking into their Confederacy the Argives and the Eleans they first sent Ambassadours to Athens to desire them to be their Consederates which being deny'd they then Address'd themselves to the Thebans for the same purpose Upon which the Beotians together with the Phocians and Locrians their Confederates drew out their Forces and March'd directly into Peloponnesus under the Command of Epaminondas and Pelopidas For all the other Beotarchs had willingly given up the sole and absolute Command of the Army to those two being Men eminent for Prudence and Valour Ant. Ch. 367. When they entred into the Confines of Arcadia they were met by all the Arcadians Eleans Argives and the rest of their Confederates And now they had an Army of above An Invasion into Peloponesus P. 490. Epaminondaâ— and Pelopidas Fifty thousand Men and after a Council of War had the Generals resolv'd to March forthwith to Sparta and to Wast and Spoil all the Country of Laconia But the Lacedemonians having lost the Flower and strength of their young Men in the Battle at Leuctra and many in several other Fights here and there were thereby reduc'd to a very small number of Fighting Men of their own Citizens And whereas some of their Confederates deserted and others were brought low by the same means as those before they knew not which way to turn themselves So that they were forc'd to seek for Aid The Lacedemonians seek for Aid of the Athenians and Assistance from them I mean the Athenians upon whom they had some time before Impos'd Thirty Tyrants and whose Walls they had Demolish'd and whose City they had decreed to Raze even to the Ground and lay it Open and Common with the rest of the Country for the grazing of Flocks and Herds But necessity has no Law and the Turns of Fortune are invincible through which the Lacedemonians were brought into that strait as to become Suppliants to their most Implacable Enemies for Relief However they were not deceiv'd in their hopes for such was the Brave and generous Spirits of the Athenians that they fear'd not the Power of the Thebans but decreed to Assist the Lacedemonians to the utmost they were able tho' they were now ready even to be swallow'd up and made perfect Slaves To this end they listed in one Day Twelve thousand lusty young Men and forthwith order'd Iphicrates the General to March away to the assistance Iphicrates sent to assist the Spartans Ant. Ch. 367. of the Spartans Accordingly having Men that were very forward he hasts away with a swift March Neither were the Lacedemonians less active or forward but now even when the Enemy were Encamp'd in the Borders of Laconia they March'd out of Sparta with all the Strength they could make which was but small yet with the same Courage and Valour as they had formerly done In the mean time Epaminondas his Army conceiving it very difficult to enter into the Enemies Country and therefore judging it was not convenient to attempt it with the whole Army together they resolv'd to divide their Forces into four Bodies and so to make the Attack in several Places at once The first March'd to the City * Rather Hellasia Sellatia and and drew off the Inhabitants of that Territory from the Lacedemonians The Argives who were in another Body upon their entrance into the Borders of Tageata Engag'd with a Guard that kept that pass and kill'd the Chief Officer Alexander a Spartan and Two hundred more of his Men amongst whom there were some Beotian Exiles The third Body in which were the Arcadians and most in number broke into the Country call'd Sciritis where Iscolas a Man of great Valour and Prudence kept Guard with a considerable Body of Men. This brave and gallant Commander perform'd an heroick Action worthy to be Recorded to all Posterity When he foresaw that both he The brave act of Ischolas and all those with him were sure every Man to be cut off by their Engaging with so great and unequal a number in the first place he lookt upon it as a dishonour to the Spartan Name to desert the Post assign'd him and yet judg'd it to be much for the Service and Advantage of his Country if he could preserve the Soldiers To the admiration therefore of his Valour he contriv'd a way how to answer the ends of both wherein he bravely Imitated the gallant Spirit of King Leonidas in former times at Thermopile For he sent away to Sparta the choicest of his Soldiers that were young and Ant. Ch. 361. lusty to the end they might be helpful to their Country in Fighting now all lay at Stake And he himself with those that were Old kept close together and in a brave defence slaughter'd multitudes of their Enemies but at length being surrounded and hem'd in by the Arcadians they were every Man of them cut off The fourth body of the Eleans having all places more
clear and open before them arriv'd at length at Sellacia For it was order'd that all the Forces should meet together at that place where being all now join'd they march'd towards Sparta and wasted the Country all before them with Fire and Sword And now the Lacedaemonians seeing their ancient Country Liconia that had never known what Waste and Spoil meant for the space of Five hundred years before to be thus cruelly harass'd and destroy'd could no longer forbear but were ready to run upon their Enemy as it were with open mouth But being by some Magistrates that came from the City commanded not to hasten away P. 491. too far out of the Bounds of their Country lest some other should make an inroad into it in the mean time and being likewise advis'd to recollect themselves and think seriously of defending the City with much ado they submitted to the Advice In the mean time Epaminondas having pass'd his Army over the Mountain Taygetus and arriv'd at the River Euâ—ota which was then very high being Winter-time he endeavour'd all he could to get over The Lacedaemonians perceiving how his Troops were disorder'd and dispers'd through the difficulty of the Passage laid hold upon this fit occasion to fall upon them Leaving therefore their Wives Children and Old Men as a Guard for the City they made out against the Enemy in good Order with all the Young and The Thebans attacks by the Spartans Ant. Ch. 367. Strong Men of the Town and by a sudden and hot Charge cut off a great number in their passing the River But the Boeotians and Arcadians valiantly standing their Ground surrounded their Enemies However the Spartans after they had kill'd a great number of the Boeotians at length broke through and return'd to the City leaving behind them remarkable Instances of their Valour Presently after when Epaminondas came up with his whole Army to the Terror of Epaminondas besieges Sparta the Inhabitants to the City the Spartans by the advantage of the Strength of the Places kill'd great numbers of them And now all hands were at work and very earnest to gain the City insomuch as that they seem'd to be in a fair way to take Sparta by storm But the Assailants through their Over-heat and Violence being many of them kill'd and others wounded Epaminondas caus'd a Trumpet to sound a Retreat and so call'd them off Presently after the Thebans made their approach to the City and challeng'd the Spartans to come forth and fight with them or else to acknowledge themselves Inferior and not able to contend with them To whom they answer'd that when they saw their opportunity they would be sure not to decline Fighting though they laid all at Stake The Army therefore now drew off from the Siege and having wasted and spoil'd all Laconia and loaden themselves with rich Prey and Plunder return'd into Arcadia Afterwards the Athenians who came too late and did nothing worth taking notice of March'd back into Attica In the mean while Four thousand Men came in to the Assistance of the Lacedemonians from their Consederates To these they added a Thousand Helots newly Manumitted and set Free and Two hundred Beotian Fugitives and many more from the neighbouring Towns and Villages so that now they were strong enough to Cope with the Enemy And these Forces being kept together and daily Exercis'd grew more and more daring and fit for publick Service in the Field Ant. Ch. 367. But Epaminondas being Naturally inclin'd to things that were Great and ambitious to Messina Rebuilt by Epaminondas Eternize his own praise and Honour perswaded the Arcadians and the other Allies to re-edifie and replenish Messina with new Inhabitants which had been destroy'd by the Lacedaemonians * Above 280 Years Sir Walter Rawleighs History of the World lib. 2. 1. part c. 27. fol. 359. and lay Wast and Desolate many Years for that it was most commodiously Situated for the Invading of Sparta at any time having procur'd their Consent he enquir'd after all the ancient Inhabitants that were living in any Place And enfranchizing many others that were willing to settle themselves there he Repair'd Messina and made it very Populous and divided the Land belonging to the City by Lot amongst the new Inhabitants and fill'd the Country about with stately Seats and beautiful Buildings and so rais'd up a noble Grecian City out of its Ruins to its former State and Grandeur for which he was highly Honour'd I conceive it will not be amiss in this place in regard Messina has been so often taken and Ruin'd If I say something in short of this City from its beginning Anciently the An account of the several States of Messina Family of Neleus and Nestor to the time of the Trojan War possess'd it Afterwards Orestes the Son of Agamemnon and his Posterity enjoy'd it till the Return of the Heraclidae Then Cresphontes chose Messina for his share and his Posterity Reign'd there for some time but they being Ejected it came into the power of the Lacedemonians who became * Cresphontes Lords thereof For after that Teleclytus King of the Lacedemonians was slain in a P. 492. The first Messinian War Olymp. 9. This War began Olymp. 9. 2. in the Reign of Manasses Ended 14 Olymp. 1. Sir Walter Rawleigh's Hist World 356. lib. 2. c. 27. Battle the Messinians at length were subdu'd by the Spartans This War is said to have continu'd Twenty Years and that the Lacedemonians had taken a solemn Oath that they would never return to Sparta till they had taken Messina At that time were Born those call'd the Partheniae who afterwards enjoy'd the City Tarentum The Messinians in after-times being oppress'd by the Lacedemonians * The second Messinian War 39 Years Ant. Ch. 367. Aristomenes stirr'd them up to Revolt and destroy'd many of the Spartans At which time Tyrreus the Poet was sent by the Athenians to the Spartans to be their General But there are others that say that Aristomenes flourish'd in the time of the Twenty years War The last War made upon them was after that terrible Earthquake which almost Ruin'd Sparta and destroy'd all its Inhabitants At that time those that remain'd of the Messinians together with the Helots who Revolted with them Inhabited Ithon because Messina had lain Wast many Years together before that time But being unfortunate in every Encounter they were at length utterly Ruin'd and driven out of their Country and settl'd themselves in Naupachus which was given them to Inhabit by the Athenians And from thence some remov'd to Cephalenia and others into Sicily where they built the City Messina so call'd from them And now the Thebans in the last place by the Advice of Epaminondas who Invited the Messinians from all Places where they were Rebuilt Messina and restor'd to the new Inhabitants all the ancient Territories formerly belonging to the City And thus Great and Various were the Changes and
Turns of Messina The Thebans having dispatch'd all these things in the space of Eighty five Days leaving a strong Garrison for the defence of Messina return'd to their own Country And the Lacedemonians having now unexpectedly rid themselves of the Enemy sent some of the greatest men of their City to Athens and upon a Treaty concerning the Principality it was agreed that the Athenians should be Masters at Sea and the Lacedemonians have the chief Command at Land But afterwards both Cities executed the Sovereignty in Common About the same time the Arcadians Created Lycomedes General and sent him away Pallene taken by Sterm by the Arcadians with five thousand strong and lusty young Men to Besiege Pallene in Laconia who took it by Storm and put above Three hundred Lacedemonians there in Garrison to the Sword And having plunder'd the City and wasted and spoil'd the Country return'd home before the Lacedemonians could send them any Relief The Beotians likewise being desir'd by the Thessalians to Free them from the Tyranny of Alexander the Pherean then but feeble and almost broken sent Pelopidas with a Pelopidas sent into Thessaly strong Army into Thessaly with Orders to Manage affairs there to the advantage of the Beotians When he came to Larissa he possessed himself of the Castle then Garrison'd by Alexander thence he March'd into Macedonia and made a League with King Alexander and receiv'd Philip his Brother as an Hostage and sent him to Thebes And having perfected whatever he thought might be for the Service of the Beotians he return'd into his own Country Things standing thus the Arcadians Argives and Eleans unanimously agreed to make Several Countrys Confederate against Sparta P. 493. War upon the Lacedaemonians and to that end to send Ambassadors to the Beotians to persuade them to join with them in the War They accordingly Consented and sent forth an Army of Seven thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse under the Command of Epaminondas and the other Beotarchs The Athenians hearing of the preparations of the Beotians against Peloponnesus sent an Army against them under the Command of Ant. Ch. 367. Chabrias their General who when he arriv'd at Corinth rais'd Men out of Megera Pellene and Corinth and made up an Army of Ten thousand Men who being join'd with the Lacedaemonians and other Confederates at Corinth their whole Forces were no less than Twenty thousand They made it first their Business to guard all the Passages and to do all they could to prevent the Beotians from breaking into Peloponnesus To this The narrow Pass of Peloponnesus between two Seas Lechaeum lying on the West and Cenchrea on the East end they drew a Wall with a deep Trench from * Cenchrea to * Lechaeum to block up the entrance that Way The thing was done with that quickness and expedition through multitude of Hands and diligence of those Employ'd that the Place was Fortifi'd before the Beotians could reach thither As soon as Epaminondas came up to the Place upon diligent view of the Fortification he discern'd that that part kept by the Lacedaemonians was the Weakest and therefore did all he could to draw them out to a fair Field Battle tho' they were almost three times his Number But when he saw they would not stir but kept themselves within their Epaminondas breaks again into Peloponnesus Fortifications and Trenches he made a fierce Assault upon them Storming them in every Part But the Action was Hottest and Sharpest on both sides where the Lacedemonians were Posted for there the place was of easiest Entrance and most difficult to be kept But Epaminondas having with him the flower of Thebes with much ado beat off the Lacedaemonians and so clearing the Way broke in with his Forces and laid the passage plainly open into Peloponnesus which was an Action nothing Inferior to any he had done before Hereupon he forthwith March'd to Trezene and Epidaurus and Wasted Ant. Ch. 367. and Harrass'd the Country round about but could not take the Cities being very strongly Garrison'd but Sicyon * Pheâ— in Elis. Pheunte and some others submitted to him Then he March'd with his Army against Corinth And having routed the Townsmen in an Encounter he pursu'd them to the very Walls Where some of the Beotians puffed up with their good Success Rashly broke through the Gates into the City upon which the Corinthians in a great Fright shut themselves up in their Houses But Chabrias the Athenian General both Cordially and Faithfully made Head against the Beotians and Drove some of them out of the City making a great slaughter of the rest In the heat of this Action the Beotians approach'd to Corinth with their whole Army in Battalia to the great Terror of the Inhabitants Upon which Chabrias with his Athenians forthwith made a Sally out of the City and having possessed himself of the Hills Adjoyning there bore the brunt of the Enemies Charge On the other side the Beotians encourag'd being strong of Body and of long experience in Feats of Arms doubted not but to Rout the Athenians But the Chabrians by the advantage of the higer Ground and continual Succours coming in to them out of the City so defended themselves that they Kill'd and grievously Gall'd their Assailants and beat them off So that the Beotians after the Loss of a great Number of their Men not being able to do any thing drew off their Forces But Chabrias having thus Baffl'd the Enemy for his Valour Faithfulness and Military Conduct was Cry'd up and greatly Admir'd CHAP. VIII Dionysius sends Gauls and Spaniards to the assistance of the Lacedemonians Pelopidas and Istmenias clapt up by Alexander Tyrant of Pherea The Boeotians pursu'd by the Phereans brought off by Epaminondas then a private Soldier The Fight between the Arcadians and Lacedemonians Dionysius falls upon the Carthaginian Territories in Sicily Dionysius dyes The cause of his death The cruelty of Alexander the Pherean at Scotusa Epaminondas breaks again into Peloponnesus Coos Peopled and Wall'd The end of the Laconick and Beotick War by the Mediation of the Persian King ABout this time arriv'd at Corinth Two thousand Gauls and Spaniards sent by Dionysius the Tyrant to the Lacedemonians from Sicily who had Five Months Pay advance Olymp. 102. 4. Ant. Ch. 366. The Grecians to try their Valour drew them out against the Enemy who so far approv'd themselves stout and valiant Men as that they routed and kill'd many of the Beotians and their Confederates And after they had been very useful in the War and purchas'd Aids arriv'd at Corinth from Dionysius to themselves Praise and Esteem both for their Courage and Service and had been rewarded according to their Merits by the Lacedemonians they were sent back into Sicily at the end of the Summer After these things Philiscus Ambassador from Artaxerxes King of Persia came into Greece P. 494. Artaxerxes sends again to compose Matters in Greece but in
and Populous and upon that account was a Place of great advantage in time of War therefore those that were ambitious to enlarge their Dominion strove always to gain it So that both the Athenians and Philip earnestly contended which of them should prevail to have them for their Confederates But however Philip having taken Potidaea drew out the Athenian Garrison and us'd them with great Civility and suffer'd them to return to Athens For he bore a great Respect to the People of Athens because that City was eminent and famous for its Power and Grandeur He deliver'd up likewise * Pydna in Macedonia Ant. Ch. 356. Pydna which he had subdu'd to the Olynthians and gave them all the Grounds and Territories belonging to it Thence he march'd to †Crenidas in Macedonia call'd Philippi now Philippo Crenidas which he enlarg'd and made more populous and call'd it after his own Name Philippi Besides he so improv'd the Gold-Mines that were in those Parts which before were but inconsiderable and obscure that by building of Work-houses he advanc'd them to bring in a yearly Revenue of above a Thousand Talents So that heaping up abundance of Riches in a short time by the confluence of his Wealth he advanced the Kingdom of Macedonia to a higher Degree of Majesty and Glory than ever it was before For he coin'd Pieces of Gold call'd of him Philippicks and by the help thereof rais'd a great Army of Mercenaries and brib'd many of the Grecians to betray their Country Of all which a particular Account shall be given hereafter in the Course of the History And now we shall bend our Discourse to what follows CHAP. III. Dion's March and Entry into Syracuse Dionysius comes to the Island part of Syracuse Assaults the Wall erected from Sea to Sea Is beaten by Dion Alexander of Phaerea murdered by his Wife and his Two Brothers Philip relieves the Thessalians from the two Brothers A Gathocles was Archon at Athens and Marcus Fabius and Caius Publius or Poetelius were Consuls at Rome when Dion the Son of Hipparinus landed in Sicily to pull Olymp. 105. 4. Ant. Ch. 355. An. M. 3615. down the Tyranny of Dionysius This Dion to admiration overturn'd the greatest Dominion in Europe with the most inconsiderable Force that ever any did before him For who would ever believe that a Man who landed only with Two Ships of Burden should overcome a King who was furnish'd with Four hundred * Long Ships Gallies had an Army of an Hundred thousand Foot and Ten thousand Horse and was provided with Arms Money and Provision suitable and sufficient to supply so many and great Forces as we have related And who over and besides all that we have said was possess'd of the Greatest of all the Greek Cities so many Ports and Arsenals Castles so strongly fortify'd and unexpugnable and such a number of potent Auxiliaries But that which much forwarded the Successes of Dion was his great Spirit and valorous Resolution and the Good will and Kindness the People whom he came to set free bare towards him And that which was more than all these the Sloth and Esseminateness of the Tyrant and the Hatred of his Subjects All these things concentring in one Moment of Time they produc'd incredible Effects not to have been imagin'd But to leave off Prefacing we shall now come to relate Affairs more particularly Dion therefore loosing from Zazynthus near to Cephalenia arriv'd at Minoa as it 's call'd in the Territory of Agrigentum This City was built by Minos formerly King of Crete at such time as he was entertain'd by Cocales King of the Sicanians in his seeking after Daedalus At this time this City was in the hands of the Carthaginians whose Governour Paralus Dion's Friend was chearfully receiv'd by him Upon this Encouragement he unloaded his Ships of Five thousand Arms and intrusted them with Paralus desiring him to furnish him with Carriages to convey them to Syracuse And he himself with a thousand Mercenaries Ant. Ch. 355. that had join'd him makes to the same Place In his March he prevail'd with the Agrigentines Geloans some of the Sicanians and the Sicilians that inhabited the midland the Camarineans likewise and Madinaeans to join with him in freeing the Syracusians from their Slavery and with these he march'd forward to give a Check to the Tyrant In his March arm'd Men flocking in to him from all Parts in a short time he had an Army of above Twenty thousand Men. And besides these many Grecians and Messenians were sent for out of Italy and all with great chearfulness came readily to him As soon as Dion came to the Borders of the Syracusian Territories a Multitude of unarm'd Men both out of the City and Country met him For Dionysius out of Fear and Jealousie of the Syracusians had disarm'd many He was by chance at that time at the Cities he had lately built in * The Coasts of the Adriatick Sea Adria with a great Army In the mean time the Officers that were left to guard the City endeavour'd in the first place to retain the Citizens in their Duty and to prevent their Defection but when they saw they could not by all the means they could use bridle the impetuous Rage of the People they got together all the foreign Soldiers and all others within the City that favour'd the Tyrant's Party and having compleated their Regiments resolv'd to fall upon the Rebels Then Dion distributed the 5000 Arms among the Syracusians that were unarm'd and the rest he furnish'd as well as he could as Arms came to his hands He then call'd them all together to a Publick Assembly and told them that he was come to restore the Sicilians to their Liberty and to that end commanded such Officers to be created as were fittest to be made use of for that purpose and for the utter ruin of the Tyranny Upon which they all cry'd out with one unanimous Voice That Dion and his Brother Megacles should be chosen Generals and invested with absolute Power and Command And so without delay from the Assembly having first dispos'd the Army in order of Battel he march'd streight to the City and none appearing in the open Ant. Ch. 355. Field to oppose him he confidently entred within the Walls and through * One of the Four Parts of Syracuse the other are the Island thâ—n Tyche and Neapolis Achradina march'd on into the Forum and there encamp'd none daring to oppose him For there were no fewer with Dion in his Army than Fifty thousand Men. And all these with Coronets upon their Heads entred into the City led by Dion Megacles and Thirty Syracusians who alone of all the Exiles in Peloponnesus were willing to run the same common Fate with their Fellow-Citizens At this time the whole City exchang'd Slavery for Liberty and Fortune turn'd Sorrow the Companion of Tyranny into pompous Mirth and Jollity And every House was full of
force of Arms. But the Aleuadae as they are call'd Persons famous for the Nobleness of their Birth conspir'd to oppose the Tyrants But not being able to perfect so great a Business of themselves they procur'd the Assistance of Philip King of Macedon who return'd into Ant. Ch. 355 Thessaly and subdu'd the Tyrants and restor'd the Cities to their Liberty and carried himself with the greatest demonstrations of Kindness imaginable towards the Thessalians so that ever after in all his Wars not only he but his Son Alexander had them to be their constant Friends and Confederates Among the Writers Demophilus the Son of Ephorus the Historian who continu'd the Demophilus Calisthenes Dyillus History of the Sacred War left imperfect by his Father began at the time when the Temple of Delphos was seiz'd and robb'd by Philomele the Phocian That War continu'd Eleven Years till such time as the Sacrilegious Robbers of that Temple were miserably destroy'd Calisthenes likewise comprehended in ten Books the Affairs of the Graecians bringing down his History in a continual Thred to the Spoiling of the Temple by the Wickedness of Philomele And Dyillus the Athenian begins his History from this Sacrilege and gives an Account of the Affairs of Greece and Sicily in those Times in Seventeen Books CHAP. IV. The first Rise of the Brutii in Italy Dionysius his Admiral invades the Leontines A Fight at Sea between Heraclides and Philistus Admirals one of Dionysius the other of Dion A Faction in Syracuse Dion leaves the Syracusians Their sad Condition Reliev'd by Dion WHen Elpinus bore the Chief Magistracy of Athens and Marcus Popilius Laenos Olymp. 106. 1. Ant. Ch. 354. An. M. 3594. Isackson's Com. and Cneius Manlius Imperiosus were invested with the Consular Dignity at Rome the Hundred and Sixth Olympiad was celebrated in which Porus of Malia was crown'd with Victory In Italy a promiscuous Multitude got together about Lucania * from several parts of the Country most of them Servants that had run away from their Masters At first they The first Rise of the Brutii in Italy employed themselves in Robbing and Stealing presently by a common Practice of skulking in the Fields and making Incursions they learnt the Use and Exercise of Martial Discipline and Feats of War And prevailing in several Encounters against the Inhabitants they increas'd to a vast Body and Number of Men. In the first Place they took and plunder'd the City Trojana then seizing upon Arponius and Thurium and many other Cities they formed themselves into a Common-wealth and because they had many of them been Servants they assum'd the Name of * Brutii And thus the Nation of the* Brutii grew up in Italy At this time in Sicily Philistus Dionysius his General Sailed to Rhegium and transported 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather Brettians for they were call'd Brutii by the Romans as a Brutish People above Five hundred Horse to Syracuse And joining to these a greater Body of Horse and Two Thousand Foot he invaded the Leontines who had fallen from Dionysius 〈…〉 Surprizing therefore the Walls secretly in the Night he possess'd himself of part of the City upon which follow'd an Hot Engagement and by the help of the Syracusians who came into the Aid of the Leontines Philistus over-power'd with number was forc'd out again In the mean time Heraclides Dion's Admiral being left in Peloponnesus and hinder'd by Storms and contrary Winds so that he could not arrive at Sicily time enough to be assistant to Dion in his return into his Countrey and to be helpful in rescuing the Syracusians from Slavery arriv'd at length with Twenty Sail of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Long Ships Ant. Ch. 354. Galleys and Fifteen hundred Soldiers Who being a Man of Noble Birth and of great Esteem and judg'd worthy of so great a Trust he was declar'd Admiral by the Syracusians and he and Dion joining Head and Hand together manag'd the War against Dionysius About the same time Philistus being made Lord High-Admiral by Dionysius and having a Fleet of Sixty Sail well provided entred the Lists in a Sea-fight with the Syracusians who A Fight at Sea between Dion's Admiral and Dionysius his Admiral had a Navy not fewer in number than the Dionysians Whereupon there was a sharp Fight in which the Valour of Philistus at the first prevail'd But at length being surrounded by the Enemy the Syracustans from all parts making it their great business to take him alive he to avoid the Disgrace and Miseries usually attending upon a State of Captivity kill'd himself after he had serv'd the Tyrant to the utmost of his Power and had signaliz'd his Faithfulness above all the rest and chiefest of his Friends The Syracusians being Victors drew the mangled Body of Philistus through the whole City and at length cast it out to the open Air without Burial Dionysius having now lost the most Valiant of all his Friends and knowing not where to find another fit for the Place sent Ambassadors to Dion with an Offer at first of half the Kingdom and presently after consented to give up the Whole But when Dion answer'd That it was but just he should surrender the Castle to the Syracusians upon having only some Money and some marks of Honour conferred upon him The Tyrant hereupon said He was ready to deliver up the Castle to the People upon Condition that he and Ant. Ch. 354. the Mercenaries with all the Treasure they had got might pass over to Italy Dion's Advice was That the Terms should be accepted But the People being wrought over to a contrary Opinion by the importunate Orators opposed Dion for that they doubted not but to take the Castle by Storm Dionysius hereupon committed the Custody of the Castle to the Stoutest of the Mercenaries but he himself having brought aboard all his Treasures and Houshold-Goods without being discover'd set sail and Landed in Italy In the mean time the Syracusians were divided into Factions while some were for Heraclides A Faction in Syracuse to have the Chief Command in the Army and likewise the Sovereign Power because he was judg'd a Person that was not ambitious of the Tyranny But others were for intrusting the Chief Power and Authority in the Hands of Dion Moreover there were great Arrears due to the Soldiers that came out of Peloponnesus to the Assistance of the Syracusians The City therefore being very low in Money and the Soldiers defrauded of their Pay they gather'd themselves into a Body being Three thousand valiant Men all old and expert Soldiers far excelling the Syracusians in Courage These mov'd Dion to go along with them and leave the Syracusians that they might be revenged of them in due time as a Common Enemy Which he at first deny'd but the present Exigency of Dion leaves the Syracusians Affairs requiring it he at length took upon him the Command of the Foreigners and joining himself to them marched to
where the King was who receiv'd him as his Friend but order'd the Hundred Noblemen as Authors of the Rebellion to be darted to death Presently after when Five hundred more of the Chiefest of the Sidonians came to him Ant. Ch. 349. with all the Badges of Submission imaginable he call'd Tennes back and ask'd him whether he was able to deliver the City into his Hands for he earnestly desir'd to possess himself of the Place upon any Terms whatsoever rather than upon Treaty to the end that the utter Ruin of the Citizens might be a Terror unto the rest when Tennes assur'd him he was able to effect it the King being still implacable caus'd all the Five hundred who carry'd Olive-Branches before them as Suppliants for Mercy and as Tokens of Submission to be shot to death with Darts Afterwards Tennes readily perswades the Egyptian Mercenaries to receive him and the King within the Walls and so by this treacherous Tennes the Betrayer of Sidon put to death by the King who made use of his Treason Sidon taken It s miserable Condition according to the Prophecy of Ezek. 28. 21. Contrivance Sidon came again into the Hauds of the Persians Then the King judging that Tennes could do him no further Service caus'd his Throat to be cut likewise In the mean time the Sidonians had burnt all their Shipping before the King came lest any of the Inhabitants consulting their own particular Safety should get away by Sea At length when the Sidonians saw that the Enemy was entred and many Thousands of Men ranging here and there and dispers'd all over the City they shut themselves up with their Wives and Children in their Houses and set them on fire and so all consum'd together It 's said there were above Forty thousand with Houshold-Servants that perish'd in these Flames After this Destruction of the Sidonians by which the whole City and Inhabitants were consum'd to Ashes the King sold the Rubbish and Relicts of the Fire for many Talents For being the City was very Rich there was found a vast Quantity of Gold and Silver melted down by the Flames Thus sad was the Calamity under which the Sidonians suffer'd The rest of the Cities being terrify'd with this Destruction Presently surrender'd themselves to the Persians A little before this Artemesia the Princess of Caria died having Ant. Ch. 349. govern'd Two Years Idreius her Brother succeeded in the Principality and reign'd Seven Years In Italy the Romans made a Truce with the Prenestines and entred into a League with the Samnites and cut off the Heads of Two hundred and sixty in the Forum of those that sided with the Tarquins In Sicily Leptines and Callipus the Syracusians being furnish'd with a considerable Army besieg'd Rhegium which was still held by a Garison of Dionysius the Younger and having forc'd out the Garison they restor'd the Rhegians to their * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 own ancient Government CHAP. IX Evagoras beheaded in Cyprus Artaxerxes marches against Aegypt and gains all Aegypt by the Policy of Mentor Lost many of his Men at the Lake of Sorbon Mentor advanc'd Mentor's Stratagem to subdue Hemias Prince of Aterne Zena raz'd by Philip. The King of Aegypt Abdicates his Kingdom and flies to Aethiopia AFterward Apollodorus being Chief Magistrate at Athens and Marcus Valerius and Olymp. 107. 3. Ant. Ch. 348. An. M. 3598. Caius Sulpitius Roman Consuls all the Cities of Cyprus surrender'd themselves to the Persians excepting Salamis which was then besieg'd by Evagoras and Phocian and which Protogoras King of Salamis stoutly defended In the mean time Evagoras endeavour'd to regain the Kingdom of his Ancestors and contriv'd to be restor'd to his Ancient Right by the help of the Persian King But being Ant. Ch. 348. afterwards accus'd before Artaxerxes who thereupon reliev'd Protogoras he laid aside all hopes of being restor'd and having afterwards clear'd himself of all that was laid to his Charge he was intrusted with the Government of a larger Province in Asia which he so misgovern'd that he was forc'd to fly again into Cyprus where being seiz'd he had his Head struck off But Protogoras voluntarily submitting himself to the Persian King Evagoras beheaded kept the Kingdom of Salamis without any Rival for the time to come In the mean time the King of Persia after the Ruine of Sidon being join'd with the Artaxerxes marches against Aegypt Forces that came from Argos Thebes and the ancient Cities march'd with his whole Army against Aegypt When he came to the * Sorbon is the Lake of Sorbon Great Lough or Lake through ignorance of the Places he lost part of his Army in the Boggs there call'd Barrathra But in regard we have before in the First Book spoken of the Nature of this Lake and the strange Things there happening we shall now forbear to repeat them Having pass'd these Gulphs he came to Pelusium the first Mouth of the River Nile where it enters into the Sea Here the Graecians lay close to the City but the Persians Encamp'd forty Furlongs off In the mean while the Aegyptians in regard the Persians had given them a long time to prepare all things necessary for the War had made strong Defences and Fortifications at all the Mouths of Nile especially at Pelusium because it was the First and most conveniently situated where Five thousand Men were in Garison under the Command of Philophoron The Thebans above all the Graecians had a Desire to evidence their Valour and to that end they first of all valiantly attempted to force the Trench which was both Straight and Deep and carried it but as soon as they had gain'd it those of the Garison made a Sally upon which there was a sharp Engagement insomuch as the Dispute was very hot on both sides and continu'd all the Day the Night scarcely putting an end to the Contest The next day the King divided the Greeks into three Brigades every one had a Greek The Persian Army divided into three Brigades Ant. Ch. 348. Commander with whom was join'd a Persian Officer such as was most esteem'd for Valour and Loyalty The First Brigade was of the Baeotians under the Command of Lacrates a Theban and Rosaces a Persian This Rosaces was descended from some of those seven Persians who depos'd the Magi and was Governor of Ionia and Lydia He led a great Body both of Horse and Foot all of Barbarians The Second Brigade was of the Argives Commanded by Nicostratus with whom was Aristazanes a Persian who was employ'd as an Envoy in all the King 's special Affairs and next to Bagoas the Trustiest and Chiefest of his Friends He had Five thousand Soldiers and Fourscore Galleys under his Command The Third Brigade was led by Mentor he who betray'd Sidon who formerly commanded the Mercenaries His Collegue was Bagoas a bold Fellow and none more ready in of executing any Villany in whom the King put great Confidence
He commanded the Greeks that were the King's Subjects and a great Body of Barbarians besides a considerable Navy The King kept the rest of the Army with himself and was very careful in Managing and Overseeing the whole Concern of the War The Army of the Persians thus divided Nectabanus the King of Aegypt though he Nectabanus King of Persia was far short in Number neither valu'd the Multitude nor the Division of the Persian Troops For he had in his Army Twenty thousand Graecian Mercenaries as many Africans and Threescore thousand Aegyptians by them call'd Warriors and besides these was furnish'd with an incredible Number of River-Boats fitted to fight in the River Nile Moreover he had defended that side of the River towards Arabia with many Castles and Garisons exactly fortify'd with Trenches and Strong Walls and was prepar'd with Plenty of all other things necessary for the War But through Imprudence and want of good Advice he lost all The chief Cause of the Miscarriage was his Ignorance how to manage Warlike Affairs and his security upon the account he had before beaten the Ant. Ch. 348. Persians for at that time of his Success having had most expert Commanders Diaphantus the Athenian and Lanius the Spartan who were both Valiant and Experienc'd Soldiers all things succeeded according to his Heart's desire But being now conceited of his own Sufficiency and Ability to Command and Order the Army he would admit of no other Assistant and therefore through want of Skill and Experience nothing was manag'd to advantage as became an Expert-Commander Having therefore strongly Garison'd the Towns he himself with Thirty thousand Aegyptians Five thousand Graecians and half of the Lybians kept the Passages which lay most open and easie to Invasions Things thus ordered on both sides Nicostratus who Commanded the Argives having got some Aegyptian Guides whose Wives and Children the Persians kept as Hostages through a certain Cut or Ditch pass'd over with his Fleet to a Place as far out of fight as he could and having landed his Men there Encamp'd Those who kept the Neighbouring Aegyptian Garisons as soon as they came to know where the Enemy were thus Encamp'd speedily made out against them with no less than Seven thousand Men under A Fight between the Aegyptians and the Graecians on the Persians side Cleinus kill'd the Command of Cleinius of the Isle of Coos who drew up his Men in Battalia in order to fight them On the other side those lately Landed likewise put themselves into a Posture of Defence Whereupon was a sharp Engagement in which the Grecians on the Persians side so gallantly behav'd themselves that they kill'd Cleinius the General and above Five thousand of the rest of his Army Upon hearing of this Defeat Nectabanus was in a terrible Fright for that he believ'd the rest of the Persian Troops would easily pass over the River Being therefore afraid lest the Enemy would bend all his force against Memphis the Seat-Royal he made his chief Care and Concern to secure this Place and thereupon march'd away with the Army he had to Memphis to prevent the Besieging of it Ant. Ch. 348. In the mean time Lacrates the Theban the Commander of the First Brigade pushes on the Siege of Pelusium and having drain'd the Water out of the Trench and turn'd it another way he rais'd a Mount and there plac'd his Engines of Battery against the City And after a great Part of the Walls were batter'd down the Pelusians rais'd up others in their stead and speedily made high Wooden Towers These Conflicts upon the Walls continu'd for some days during which time the Graecians that defended the Place stoutly oppos'd the Assailants But as soon as they heard of the King's departure to Memphis they were so afrighted that they sent Messengers to Treat upon Terms of Surrender Whereupon Lacrates agreeing with them upon the Sacred Tye of an Oath That upon delivery up of Pelusium they should return to Greece Pelusium surrender'd with whatever they brought with them out of the Town they surrender'd the Place Then Artaxerxes sent Bagoas with a Garison of Persians to take Possession of Pelusium whose Soldiers as soon as they enter'd the Town took away from the Grecians as they were going out many of those things that they brought along with them Being thus abus'd they took it hainously and with great Complaints call'd upon the Gods as Witnesses and Revengers of Perjury and Breach of Faith Lacrates being stirr'd up to just Indignation by this base Dealing fell upon the Barbarians and kill'd some of them and put the rest to flight and so protected the Greeks thus injur'd contrary to the Agreement confirm'd by Oath And though Bagoas who fled amongst the rest and return'd to the King accus'd Lacrates for what he had done yet the King adjudg'd that Bagoas his Soldiers were dealt with according to their desert and punish'd those Persians that were Authors of the Rapine And in this manner came Pelusium into the Hands of the Persians But Mentor Commander of the Third Brigade recover'd Bubastus and many other Cities to the Obedience of the Persian King by his own Stratagem For whereas all these Cities were Garison'd by two sorts of People Grecians and Aegyptians Mentor caus'd a Ant. Ch. 348. Report to be spread abroad That Artaxerxes would receive all those most graciously and pardon them that of their own accord should give up their Cities into the King's Mentor gains Bubastus and other Towns by Policy Hands and on the other Hand That all those that he should take by force should fare no better than Sidon He commanded also That all the * Gates of the Camp Gates should be open'd and that all that would should be permitted to go away So that all the Aegyptian Captives in the Camp being gone without any Opposition the Report was in a short time spread abroad through all the Cities of Aegypt Whereupon all the Towns were presently fill'd with Seditions through Quarrels and Dissentions between the Aegyptians and the Foreign Auxiliaries For all Parties strove who should be most Active and Forward in betraying their several Garisons every one aiming at his own Advantage by an Interest in the favour of the Conqueror And the first that began was Bubastus For as soon as Mentor and Bagoas Encamp'd before the City the Aegyptians unknown to the Graecians promis'd to Bagoas by one of their own Country sent to him to Surrender the City if they might be all Pardon'd This being smelt out by the Greeks they pursu'd and seiz'd upon him that was sent and by Threatning and Affrighting him got out the whole from him as the Thing in truth was Upon which being highly enrag'd they fell violently upon the Aegyptians kill'd some wounded others and drove the rest into a narrow Corner of the City They that were thus assaulted gave intelligence to Bagoas of what was done and intreated him thaâ—
with Timoleon to the Island that was peculiarly Consecrated to them Timoleon therefore and all those with him were very chearful upon the Apprehension that the Gods favoured their Enterprize and thereupon Ant. Ch. 343. Timoleon dedicated one of the best of his Ships to the Goddesses and ordered that it should be call'd the * Or called Ceres and Proserpina Sacred Ship of Ceres and Proserpina And now when the Fleet came safe as far as Metapontum in Italy there arrived a Galley which had the Carthaginian Ambassadors on board who upon a Conference with Timoleon charged him upon his Peril not to begin any War or so much as set his Foot upon Sicily But he being incouraged by them of Rhegium who promised to join with him loosed with all hast from Metapontum designing by his speed to prevent the Report of his Coming For he was in a great Fear left the Carthaginians who were much stronger at Sea should block up his Passage into Sicily Therefore he made away with all speed to Rhegium The Carthaginians having a little before received Intelligence that a great War was likely to break out through all Sicily carried themselves with all Civility towards the The Carthaginians prepare for War in Sicily Confederate Cities and putting an end to all Quarrels entred into Leagues of Amity and Friendship with the Princes of the Island especially with Hicetas General of the Syracusians who was the most Potent At length the Carthaginians having raised great number of Forces both by Sea and Land transported them into Sicily under the Command of Hanno their General They had with them a Hundred and fifty Sail of Long Ships a Land Army of Fifty thousand Men Three hundred Chariots and Two thousand * The Army of Carthaginians in Sicily Carts or Carriages drawn by two Horses apiece and besides these a great number of Arms of all sorts and Engines of Battery and an infinite Store of Corn Provision and all other Things necessary for War The first City they set upon was Entella and having wasted and spoiled the Lands round about they shut up the Inhabitants Entella besieged by a close Siege The Campanians possessed the City at that time and being terrified with the Multitude of their Enemies sent for Aid to the other Cities who hated the Carthaginians but none of them came in to them except them of Galeria who sent them a Thousand Armed Men who were intercepted by the Carthaginians and cut off every Man The Campanians who inhabited Aetna at first prepared to help them of Ant. Ch. 343. Entella upon the account of their Consanguinity but hearing of the Slaughter of the Galerians they judged it more Adviseable to sit still Dionysius at that time had regained his former Sovereignty over the Syracusians Hicetas therefore led a great Army thither and encamped at Olympus fortifying himself with a Breast-work and a Trench and drew Dionysius and Hicetas up against Dionysius then playing the Tyrant in the City But he protracted the Siege for some time through want of Provision and marched away to Leontum from whence he first moved But Dionysius pursued him and fell upon his Rear which occasioned the whole Army to ingage For Hircetas wheeled about fought and routed him killing Three thousand of his Mercenaries upon the Spot and put the rest to Flight and pursuing them so hotly that he fell pell-mell with him into the City and so possessed himself Hicetas takes Syracuse of the whole City of Syracuse except the Island And thus went Matters between Hicetas and Dionysius at that time But Timoleon arriving at Rhegium the third Day after the taking of Syracuse lay with his Fleet in the Port next to the City At that time came into Port Twenty Carthaginian Gallies The Rhegians favouring Timoleon called an Assembly and proposed Terms of Compounding Matters so that the Carthaginians supposing Timoleon would be persuaded Ant. Ch. 343. to return home were not careful to place sufficient Guards Timoleon therefore himself not giving the least Ground to suspect his Flight kept close to the Court but ordered that Nine of his Ships should set Sail and make away with all the hast they could In the mean time while the Thoughts of the Carthaginians were intent upon the Speeches of the Rhegians which were lengthen'd out of Purpose and Design Timoleon privately Timoleon escapes from Rhegium by a Wile withdraws himself and makes to the Ship that was left and hoises up Sail and away he goes The Carthaginians thus deluded endeavoured to pursue him but because he was got too far off and Night approached Timoleon with his whole Fleet arrived safe at Tauromenum Andromachus the Prince of that City who always was a Friend to the Syracusians courteously received the Refugees and was greatly serviceable to them in their avoiding of the Pursuers Hicetas afterwards with an Army of Five thousand Men came against Adriana and encamped near the City But Timoleon drawing some Regiments out of Tauromenum marched from thence having with him at the most but a Thousand Men. And going out of the Town in the Twilight he reached Adriana the next Day there he set up the Hicetians at the very time they happened to be at Meat and broke in upon their Camp and killed Three hundred and took Six hundred Prisoners and possessed himself of the Camp To this Stratagem he added another for he made straight away with all speed to Syracuse and dispatching his March with all speed he broke into the City on a sudden and by the swiftness of his March came there before those that fled And these were the Transactions of this Year Lycisco executed the Office of Archon at Athens and Marcus Valerius and Marcus Popilius Olymp. 109. 1. Ant. Ch. 342. An. M. 3604. were created Roman Consuls when the Hundred and Ninth Olympiad was celebrated wherein Aristolocus the Athenian won the Course This was likewise the first time that the Romans entred into a League with the Carthaginians In Caria Idreius Prince of the Carians died after he had reigned Seven Years whom Ada both his Wife and Sister succeeded and governed Four Years In Sicily Timoleon being strengthened with the Confederacy of them of Adranita and Tynderita greatly increased his Army In the mean time there were great Confusions in Syracuse by reason that Dionysius had got Possession of the Island Hicetas Achradina and the new City and Timoleon the rest of the City and lastly the Carthaginians had entred the great Harbour with a Fleet of an Hundred and fifty Sail and lay near encamped with an Army of Fifty thousand Men. And now Timoleon was in great Perplexity being invironed by so many Enemies when on a sudden the Tables were turned First Marcus Prince of Catana with a great Army came in to the Assistance of Timoleon Afterwards many of the Forts and Castles out of love of Liberty sided with him and presently the Corinthians
their backs after receiving many Wounds there perish'd And many though they were never toutch'd by the Enemy's Sword yet through Fear and the Throng and Difficulties of passage over the River being press'd in heaps one upon another there breath'd out their last And that which contributed no little to the common Destruction the River was swollen to that excessive heighth that many especially such as attempted to swim over the Water with their Arms were drown'd In conclusion Two thousand and five hundred who made up the Sacred Brigade of the Carthaginians and for Valour Ant. Ch. 338. and the Glory of their Arms and greatness of their Estates excell'd all the rest fought valiantly and were cut off every Man Of the rest of the common Soldiers there were slain at least Ten thousand and above Fifteen thousand taken Prisoners Many of the Chariots being broken in pieces in the Fight only Two hundred fell into the hands of the Grecians but all the Bag and Baggage The greatest part of the Arms were lost in the River But a Thousand * Coats of Mail. Brigandines and Ten thousand Shields were brought into the Tent of Timoleon of which some were hung up in the Temples at Syracuse and others distributed among the Confederates others were sent to Corinth and order'd to be dedicated to Neptune And although very rich Spoils were taken for that the Carthaginians abounded in Gold and Silver * At Flaggens Cups c. Plate and other Furniture of great value according to the Grandeur and Riches of their Country yet he gave all to the Soldiers as the Reward of their Valour The Carthaginians that escap'd with much ado got to Lilibeum in such Fear and Consternation that they durst not go on board their Ships in order to return to Africa as if through the Anger of the Gods they should be swallow'd up by the Libean Sea As soon as the News of this Overthrow was brought to Carthage their Spirits were mightily broken and they expected that Timoleon would invade them with his Army upon the first Opportunity Therefore they forthwith recall'd Gescon the Brother of Hanno from his Banishment and being a stout Man and an experienc'd Soldier created him General But looking upon it not Adviseable for the future to venture the Lives of the Citizens they resolv'd to hire Soldiers out of other Nations and especially from among the Graecians not doubting but that many would List themselves by reason of the large Pay promis'd by the rich Carthaginians They sent likewise Ambassadors into Sicily with Orders to strike up a Peace upon any Terms whatsoever After the end of this Year Lysimachides was created chief Governor of Athens and Quintus Servilius and Marcus Rutilius bore the Office of Consuls at Rome Then Timoleon Olymp. 110. 2. Ant. Ch. 337. An. M. 3606. as soon as he return'd to Syracuse in the first place expell'd those as Traytors out of the City who had deserted him through the Instigation of Thracius These being transported into Italy they seiz'd upon a Sea-Port Town of the * Brutii Brettians and plunder'd it Upon which the Brutians were so enrag'd that they forthwith came against them with a great Army took the Town by Storm and put every Man of them to the Sword And such was the miserable End of these Deserters of Timoleon as the just Punishment of their former Villany Afterwards he took Posthumius the Tyrant and put him to Death who had infested the Seas with his Piracies and came at that time into the Port of Syracuse as a Friend He receiv'd likewise with all Demonstrations of Kindness Five thousand Persons whom the Corinthians had sent over to plant new Colonies The Carthaginians now by their Ambassadors having earnestly su'd to him for Peace he granted it to them upon these Terms That all the Greek Cities should be set free That the River Lycus should be the Bound between the Territories of both Parties and That the Carthaginians should not for the future assist any of the Tyrants against the Syracusians Having afterwards subdu'd Hicetas he order'd him an Honourable Burial and took Aetna by Storm and put all the Campanians to the Sword And he so terrifi'd Nichodemus the Tyrant of the Centorippians that he fled out of the City Then he forc'd Apoilonides who Lorded it over them of Agyra to Abdicate Ant. Ch. 337. the Government and the Inhabitants thus freed he inroll'd them as Citizens of Syracuse To conclude having rooted up all the Tyrants throughout the whole Island and freed the Cities from their Oppression he receiv'd them all into his Protection and they became his Confederates Then he caus'd Proclamation to be made throughout all Greece That the Senate and People of Syracuse offer'd Houses and Lands to all who were willing to be Members of the Commonwealth of Syracuse Upon which many came flocking over as to the Possession of a new Inheritance At length Forty Thousand new Planters had their Shares by Lot in those Lands that yet remained undivided within the Territories of Syracuse and Ten thousand were allotted to Agyra being a very large and pleasant Country Not long after he caus'd all the ancient Laws of Diocles for the Government of the Syracusians to be review'd and amended Such part of them as concern'd private Commerce and Inheritances he alter'd not but those that related to the Administration of the Publick Government and the Commonwealth he amended as he thought most expedient Cephalus a Corinthian a Learned and Prudent Man was chiefly concerned in this Emendation and Correction of the Laws When this Business was finish'd he translated the Leontines into Syracuse and greatly enlarg'd Camarina with Multitudes of Inhabitants And to sum up all he brought Things to that pass throughout all Sicily now through his Care in perfect Peace and Tranquility as that the Cities in a very short time abounded in Wealth and all Earthly Blessings For through the Seditions and Intestine Wars which Sicily labour'd under for a long time together and the many Tyrants that set up for themselves it was brought to that miserable Condition that the Ant. Ch. 337. Cities were depopulated and the Lands lay wast and untill'd and no Crops to be had for the Supply of Daily Food But now that there were many Plantations of Colonies bless'd with a constant Peace and the Land was every where manur'd and improv'd by the Labour of the Husbandman it began to yield all sorts of Fruits which being vented with great Advantage to the Merchants the Inhabitants grew exceeding rich in a very short time And this abundance of Wealth occasion'd in that Age many stately Structures to be erected up and down in Honour of the Gods As one among the rest near to the Island of Syracuse called The House of Sixty Beds built by Agathocles for Greatness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Beauty excelling all the Works in Sicily and because as it were in Contempt
the Strangers that were Inhabitants were order'd to defend the Walls And the Thebans themselves though they were far inferiour in Number were resolv'd to fight those Macedonians commanded by the King that were ready to make the Assault And now all the Women and Children ran to the Temples to make Supplication to the Gods to deliver them from the Ruin that threaten'd them When the Macedonians drew near the Trumpets sounded a Charge upon which both Armies set up a great Shout and Ant. Ch. 333. every one charg'd that Battalion to which he was appointed By Day-break the Darts The Battel between the Thebans and Alexander flew one at another and those being quickly spent they fell to it with their Swords Hand to Hand so that the Fight presently was very sharp and bloody For the Macedonians through their Number far exceeding the other and the fierceness of their Charge put the Enemy hard to it On the other side the Thebans heing stronger body'd Men and us'd to Martial Discipline by their continual Exercises in the Schools and more resolv'd than the other resolutely went through all Difficulties whatsoever so that many were wounded and multitudes kill'd on both Sides In the Heat of the Battel a Man might have heard Shouts for Victory and Groans of Dying Men at one and the same time and the Macedonians often calling out one to another not to stain the Glory of their former Victories by any base Act of Cowardise in the present Engagement and the Thebans pressing theirs not to suffer their Parents Wives and Children to be miserable Captives and all their Families expos'd to the rageful Lust of the Macedonians but that they would remember the Battels at Leuctra and Mantinea and the noble Actions for which they were famous all the World over So that the obstinate Resolution of both Parties occasion'd the Issue of the Battel to be very doubtful a long time Alexander perceiving how the Love of Liberty inflam'd the Courage of the Thebans and that the Macedonians began to faint commanded the Reserves to relieve them that were ingag'd Upon which the Macedonians coming with a fierce and sudden Charge upon the Thebans now even tir'd out bore them down and kill'd multitudes of them However the Thebans would not yield the Enemy the Day but stood to it with that Obstinacy that they slighted all Misfortunes and their Valour so strengthen'd their Resolution that they cry'd out That the Macedonians must own themselves worsted by the Thebans Ant. Ch. 333. And this is to be observ'd of them That when all others being still press'd upon by their Enemies with fresh Supplies one after another are wont to flag they only are the more Couragious even when their weary'd Enemy is reliev'd by fresh Reserves While the Armies were thus resolutely engag'd the King spy'd a Portal without any Alexander's Army enters Thebes Guard and sends away Perdiccas with some Regiments in order to possess himself of the Place and so to break into the City Perdiccas having presently executed the King's Command the Macedonians through this little Gate forthwith rush'd into the City And though the Thebans had a good while before worsted the Enemy's first Battalion and were now ingag'd with the second and full of Hopes of a perfect Victory yet when they understood that the Enemy had possess'd themselves of part of the City they forthwith retir'd within the Walls And then both the Horse and Foot hasted back with all speed into the City and trod many of their Fellow-Citizens under Foot who there perish'd and while they made into the City in this Trepidation and Confusion many were kill'd by running upon their own Weapons in the strait and narrow Passages and by falling into the Trenches And in the midst of this Distraction the Garison out of the Castle of Cadmea issu'd forth like a rapid Torrent upon the Backs of the Thebans and fell upon them as they were in this Disorder and Confusion and cut them down in Heaps The City being thus taken multitudes of all sorts of Cruelties were acted within the Walls For the Macedonians by reason of that Insolency of the Common Crier were inrag'd against the Thebans beyond what the Law of Arms would allow and with many Threats in their Mouths flew upon the miserable People and without all Pity or Compassion put all to the Sword that were in their way However among all these Calamities the Ant. Ch. 333. Courage of the Thebans and their Love to their Liberty was such that they were so far from minding the Preservation of their Lives as that when they met any of their Enemies they would provoke them of their own accord to kill them For after the City was taken not a Theban ask'd any Quarter from a Macedonian not a Man that sordidly The Cruelties in Thebes bow'd down at the Feet of the Conqueror Neither had the Enemy any Pitv notwithstanding the Valour of the miserable People nay the whole Day though it was long was judg'd too short to satiate their most cruel Revenge The whole City was plunder'd poor Children Boys and Girls were dragg'd up and down calling upon their Mothers by their Names with most lamentable Outcries And to comprehend all in a few Words whole Families with all their Kindred were hurried away and the whole Body of the People brought under miserable Slavery The Bodies of some of the Thebans as they lay wounded upon the Ground though they were upon the point of Expiring yet clasping their Enemy in their Arms breath'd out their Last with a sort of Joy and Content that their Enemy dy'd with them Others though they had but a meer Trunk of a Spear to lean upon yet sought with whomsoever they met and so by that last Attempt made it evident how far they preferr'd their Liberty before their Lives And though there was so great a Slaughter made that every part of the City was fill'd with dead Carkasses yet none that saw the miserable Condition of these poor Wretches pitied them For even the Grecians as the Thespians Plateans Orchomenians and some others who hated the Thebans and who then bore Arms under the King broke in with others into the City and amongst these dreadful Slaughters executed their Ant. Ch. 333. Malice upon them So that many sad Spectacles of most inhumane Cruelty might be seen throughout the whole City Graecians butchering Graecians without all Compassion and those of the same Language Blood and Nation without any Regard to any of these Obligations knock'd on the Head one by another At length when Night came the Houses were pillag'd Women young and old were dragg'd out of the Temples whither they had sled and most vilely and filthily abus'd There were kill'd of the Thebans above Six Thousand and Three thousand made Captives and a vast Treasure carry'd away Above Five hundred Macedonians were slain whom the King took care to bury Presently after the King caus'd the
he was ready to second his stroke Clitus Sirnam'd Niger posts up and cuts off the Hand of the Barbarian The Kinsmen of the two Brothers now both fallen came round about them and at the first ply'd Alexander with their Darts and then fell to it hand to hand and ran through all hazards that they might kill Alexander And though he was inviron'd with imminent Hazards and Dangers of his Life yet the throng of his Enemies did not at all daunt him For though he had receiv'd three strokes through his Breast plate and one Cut upon his Helmet and had his Buckler which he brought from the Temple of Minerva thrice pierc'd through yet he stirr'd not a Foot but stood his ground against all Hazards and Difficulties with undaunted Resolution In the mean time other brave Commanders fell round about him among whom the most remarkable were Artyaxes and Pharnaces the Brother of Darius and Mithrobarzanes the Commander of the Cappadocians so that many great Officers being kill'd and all the Troops of the Persians routed and broken by the Valour of the Macedonians the first that fell in upon Alexander were forc'd to take to their Heels And after them all the rest Ant. Ch. 332. In this Battel by the Confession of all the Valour of Alexander was cry'd up above all others and he reputed the chief Instrument of the Victory The Thessalian Horse manag'd their Troops with that Dexterity and fought with that brave Resolution that next to the King they were most highly applauded and gain'd exceeding Honour and Reputation After the Horse was routed and fled the Foot running one in upon another in confusion fought a while but amaz'd and dejected with the flight of their Horse they likewise turn'd their Backs and made away There were kill'd in the Persian Army above Ten thousand Foot and at least Two thousand Horse and above Twenty thousand taken Prisoners After the Battel the King buried those of his that were slain with great Solemnity by these Honours to encourage his Soldiers to fight the more readily When he had refresh'd his Army he march'd forward through Lydia and came to Sardis which with the Cittadel and all the Provision and Treasure therein were voluntarily surrender'd to him by * Or Mithrenes Mithrinnes the Governor In the mean time those Persians that had escap'd out of the Battel fled together with their General Memnon to Miletus before which the King afterwards came and assaulted it continually for several days together still relieving his Men from time to time with Miletus besieg'd fresh Supplies The Besieged at first easily defended themselves from the Walls in regard the City was full of Soldiers and plentifully furnish'd with Weapons and all other things necessary for the enduring of a Siege But as soon as the King began fiercely to Ant. Ch. 332. batter the Walls with his Engines and violently to push on the Siege both by Sea and Land and the Macedonians had forc'd their way through a Breach of the Walls putting their Enemies to flight in that part the Milesians forthwith prostrated themselves as suppliants at the King's Feet and gave up themselves and the City to his Mercy Some of the Miletus taken Barbarians were kill'd by the Macedonians others fled out of the City and the rest were all taken He dealt kindly and mercifully with the Milesians but for others he sold them all for Slaves And now having no further use for his Navy and being likewise chargeable to maintain he dismiss'd his Fleet except a few Ships which he detain'd for the Conveying of his Engines of Battery and other Instruments useful for the Besieging of Towns Among which were Twenty Vessels from Athens There are some who say that this Discharging of the Fleet was a prudent part of a General in Alexander For Darius being on his march and therefore very likely that a great Battel was to be fought he conceiv'd that the Macedonians would fight with more Resolution when they saw there was no possibility of flight And the very same Project he contriv'd at the Battel of Granicum where he so order'd the matter that the River should be at his Soldiers back to the end that none might have a Thought of flying since the River threatned certain destruction to them that attempted it In following times Agathocles King of Syracuse follow'd this Example of Alexander and so gain'd a glorious Victory For having transported a small Army into Africa he set all his Ships on fire to take away all hope from his Soldiers of escaping by flight by which means being forc'd of necessity to stand to it courageously he overcame many thousands of the Carthaginians drawn up against him After the taking of Miletus both Persians and Mercenaries with their chiefest Commanders came flocking to Halicarnassus This was then the greatest City in Caria in which Halicarnassius was a Palace of the Kings adorn'd with most curious Turrets and Cittadels About the same time Memnon sent away his Wife and Children to Darius as well for Ant. Ch. 332. their security as to induce the King having such considerable Hostages in his hands to intrust him with more confidence in the Management of the War Which happen'd accordingly for Darius presently sent Letters to all the Inhabitants of the Sea Coasts of Asia to be observant in every thing to all the Commands of Memnon Being made therefore General of the whole Army he provided all things necessary for the Defence of Halicarnassus against a Siege In the mean time the King sent away his Engines of Battery and Corn and Provision by Sea to Halicarnassus and he himself with his whole Army march'd into Caria and where ever he came he gain'd upon the Cities by his smooth Tongue and courteous Behaviour The Greek Cities especially tasted of his Grace and Favour for he gave all Liberty to govern according to their own Laws and order'd they should be free from Tribute declaring that he had undertaken a War against the Persians for the Rights and Liberties of the Grecians When he was upon his March he was met by a Noble Woman call'd Ada of the Lineage Ada meets Alexander of the King of Caria who upon discourse with him concerning the Right of her Ancestors intreated him to restore her to the Kingdom of her Grandfather which he gave up to her and bid her take it as her own by which bounty to the Woman he gain'd the Hearts of the Grecians and all the Cities sent their Ambassadors to him presenting him with Crowns of Gold promis'd and offer'd to serve him in all things to the utmost of their Power Alexander now Encamps near to the City and forthwith assaults the Town in a furious Ant. Ch. 332. Halicarnassus besieg'd and terrible Manner For at the very Beginning his Soldiers by turns storm'd the Walls without any intermission so that the Conflict continu'd whole days together Afterwards he brought up all sorts
Ground Halicarnassus taken Then he order'd part of his Army to march further up into the Country in order to force other Provinces to his Obedience these Forces valiantly brought under the Power of Alexander all the Nations as far as to the Borders of the Greater Phrygia and forc'd Ant. Ch. 332. them to find Provision for their Army Alexander himself subdu'd all the Sea Coast of Asia to Cilicia gaining many Cities by Surrender and taking several Forts and Castles by Storm amongst which there was one that was taken after a wonderful manner which by reason of the Rarity of the Thing is not to be pass'd over In the utmost Borders of Lycia the Marmarensians who inhabited upon a great Rock and well fortifi'd set upon the Rear of Alexander's Amy in their March thither and slew many of the Macedonians and carry'd away a great number of Prisoners and Carriage-Horses At which the King was so inrag'd that he resolv'd to besiege the Place and us'd his utmost Endeavour to gain it But the * Or Marmarians Marmarensians trusting to their own Valour and the Strength of the Place manfully endur'd the Siege for they were assaulted two Days together without any intermission and were assur'd that the King would not stir thence till he had taken the Rock The ancient Men therefore at the first advis'd the Younger to forbear standing it out with such Violence and to make Peace with the King upon as good Conditions as they could which when they deny'd and all resolv'd to part with their Lives and the Liberties of their Country together the graver Men then advis'd them to kill all the old Men Women and Children and that those that were strong and able to defend themselves should break through their Enemies Camp in the Night and flee to the next Mountains The young Men approv'd of the Councel and The strange Resolution of the Marmarians thereupon an Edict was made That every one should go to his own House and Eat and Drink plentifully with his Wife Children and Relations and then expect the Execution of the Decree But some of the young Men who were more considerate than the rest who were about Six hundred in the whole judg'd it more Advisable to forbear Ant. Ch. 332. killing their own Kindred and Relations with their own Hands but rather set the Houses on fire and then to sally out at the Gates and make to the Mountains for their Security This was presently taken to and the Thing put in execution and so every Man's House became his Sepulchre And the young Men themselves broke through the midst of their Enemies and fled to the Hills near at hand And these were the chief Things done this Year CHAP. III. Mytelen taken by Memnon Darius his General His Successes He dies Charidemus the Athenian unjustly put to Death by Darius Alexander falls sick recover'd by Philippus Alexander seizes Alexander of Lyncestas upon his Mother's Letters Alexander takes Issus The memorable Battel at Issus where the Mother Wife Two Daughters and Son of Darius were taken Alexander's noble Carriage towards them Darius's Letters and Offers to Alexander Darius prepares another Army BUT in the following Year wherein Nicocrates was chief Governor of Athens and Olymp. 3. 4. Ant. Ch. 331. An. M. 3617. Cesus Valerius and Lucius Papirius succeeded in the Consular Dignity at Rome Darius sent a great Sum of Money to Memnon and declar'd him General of all his Forces Hereupon he rais'd great Numbers of Men from all Parts and fitting out a Navy of Three hundred Sail set himself with all diligence to the prosecution of the War To that end he brought in Chius to join with him Then he sail'd to Lesbos and presently took Antissa Mythimnus Pyrrhus and Erissus But for * Mitylene besieg'd and taken by Memnon in the Island Lesbos Mitylene and †Lesbos a City in Lesbos Lesbos because it was much larger and strongly Garison'd and well provided he gain'd it not without many Assaults and the Loss of many of his Men though he took it at length with much ado The Fame of this Action being presently nois'd abroad many of the Cyclade Islands sent Ambassadors to him to make Leagues with him Then there was a Report spread abroad that Memnon with his whole Fleet was intending to invade Eabaea which put all the Cities into a great Consternation And some of the Graecians being come into the Confederacy of the Persians were hearten'd in hopes of a change of their Affairs for the better Besides Memnon had corrupted many of the Greeks with Money to sail in the same Bottom with the Persians But Fortune put a stop to the Progress of this Man's Success for he fell sick of a mortal Distemper and dv'd and by his Death the Memnon dies Affaris of Darius went backward For the * Of Persia King hop'd to have transferr'd the whole Weight of the War out of Asia into Europe But when he heard of the Death of Memnon he call'd his Friends together and ask'd their Advice Whether he should send a General with the Army or go himself in Person and try his Fortune with the Macedonians Some were of Opinion for the King to go himself for that they said the Persians would then with more chearfulness venture their Lives But Charidemus the Athenian who was in great Esteem for his Valour and Prudence as a General for under Philip he gain'd a great Reputation and was his chief and principal Adviser in all his weighty Affairs advis'd Darius not to lay the Kingdom rashly at stake but still to continue Lord of Asia and keep the Government in his own Hand and to appoint an Experienc'd General to manage the Concerns of the War And he told him that an Hundred thousand Men of which Number a Third Part to be Mercenaries out of Greece were sufficient for the Expedition and engag'd that he would see the Thing accomplish'd The King at the first agreed to what he said But his Friends peremptorily rejected this Advice suspecting that Charidemus sought for the chief Ant. Ch. 331. Command out of design to give up all into the Power of the Macedonians Hereupon Charidemus was in such a Rage as that he call'd them all Cowards With which Words the King was much more offended than before and whereas Anger never suffers a Man to consider wisely before hand Darius orders him to be bound in a Belt which is the manner of the Persians and delivers him to his Guard to be put to Death Who when he was leading to Execution cry'd out That the King would in a short time repent of what he had done in this Matter and would be punish'd for that unjust Judgment against him by the loss of his Kingdom Thus fell Charidemus from the top of all his Hopes and Expectations Charidemus unjustly put to Death by Darius through the unseasonable Liberty of his Tongue But the King as
Battel at Issus But to return to the Kings themselves Darius with all his Army being thus routed fled and by changing from time to time one Horse after another the best he had he made away with all speed to escape out of the Hands of Alexander and to get to the Governors of the Upper Provinces But Alexander with the best of his Horse and chiefest of his Friends pursu'd him close at the very Heels earnestly longing to be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord of Darius But after he had rid Two hundred Furlongs he return'd at midnight into the Camp and having refresh'd his weary Body in the Baths went to Supper and then to his rest In the mean time one came to the Mother of Darius and told her that Alexander was return'd from the pursuit of Darius and had possess'd himself of all the rich Spoils of his Tent. Upon which there was given up a great Shriek and Lamentation amongst the Women and from the multitude of the Captives lamenting with the Queen at the sad News all places were fill'd with Cries and Lamentations The King understanding what Sorrow there was among the Women sent Leonatus one his of Courtiers to them to put an end to their Fears and to let Sisygambres the Mother of Darius know that her Son was alive and that Alexander would have respect to their former Dignity and that to confirm the Promise of his Generosity by his Actions he would come and discourse with them the Day following Whereupon the Captives were so surpriz'd with the sudden and happy Turn of their Fortunes that they honour'd Alexander as a God and their Ant. Ch. 331. Fears were turn'd into Exultations of Joy The King as soon as it was light with Hephestion one of the trustiest of his Friends Alexander's great Humanity towards the Persian Captives went to visit the Queens When they entred in regard they were both habited alike Sisygambres taking Hephestion for the King because he was the more comely and taller Man fell prostrate at his Feet but the Attendants by the Nods of their Heads and Pointing of their Fingers directed her to Alexander whereupon being much asham'd and out of Countenance by reason of Mistake she salutes Alexander in the same manner she had done before the other Upon which he lift her up and said Mother trouble not nor perplex your self for that Man also is Alexander By which courteous and obliging Title of Mother to a grave and honourable Matron he gave a clear Demonstration of the Respects and Civilities he intended towards them all Having therefore own'd her for a Second Mother he presently confirm'd his Words by his Actions For he order'd her to be cloath'd in her Royal Robes and restor'd her to all the Honours becoming her former State and Dignity For he gave her all her Attendants and Houshold Servants and Furniture allow'd her by Darius and added also as much more of his own Bounty He promis'd likewise to dispose of the young Ladies in Marriage far better than if their Father had provided Husbands for them and that he would educate the King's little Son as carefully and honourably as if he were his own Then he call'd him to him and kiss'd him and taking notice that he was not at all dash'd nor seem'd to be in the least afrighted turning to Hephestion and those about him This Youth but Six Years of Age says he carries in his Countenance Marks of a stcut and brave Spirit above his Age and is better than his Father He further declar'd That he would take care of the Wife of Darius that nothing should be wanting to her in order to the support and maintenance of her Royal State and former Prosperity Many other kind and gaining Expressions he us'd insomuch as the Ladies fell a weeping in Showers of Tears Ant. Ch. 331. out of Transports of Joy upon account of the Greatness of their unexpected Felicity After all he at length put forth to them his Right Hand to kiss upon which not only they who were immediately honour'd with those Kindnesses set forth his Praiâ—e but even the whole Army cry'd up his incomparable Grace and Clemency And indeed I conceive that amongst the many Brave and Noble Acts of Alexander none of them were greater than this nor more worthy by History to be handed down to Posterity For storming and taking of Cities gaining of Battels and other Successes in War are many times the Events of Fortune more than the Effects of Valour and Virtue but to be compassionate to the miserable and those that lie at the Feet of the Conqueror must be the Fruit only of Wisdom and Prudence For many by Prosperity grow high-crested and are so far swell'd with Pride by the favourable Blasts of Fortune that they are careless and forgetful of the Common Miseries of Mankind so that 't is common to see many to sink under the weight of their prosperous Successes as an heavy Burden they are not able to bear Therefore though Alexander was many Ages before us who are now living yet the remembrance of his Virtue justly challenges Honour and Praise from all those that succeed him in future Generations As for Darius being now got to Babylon he musters up his broken Troops that were escap'd from the Battel of Issus and though he had receiv'd so great an Overthrow yet he was not at all discourag'd but writ Letters to Alexander whereby he advis'd him to use his Good Fortune and Success moderately and offer'd him a great Sum of Money Ant. Ch. 33â— for the Ransom of the Captives He promis'd likewise to give up to him all that part of Asia with the Cities which lay on that side within the * This was all Narolia Course of the River †Now Casilimer in Paphligonia Halys if he were willing to be his Friend Whereupon Alexander call'd a Council of War and laid before them such Letters as he judg'd most for his own Advantage but conceal'd the true ones By which Contrivance the Ambassadors were dismiss'd without any effect of their Embassie Darius therefore concluding that Things were not to be compos'd by Letters sets himself wholly to make preparation for War To which end he arm'd those Soldiers that had loft their Arms in the late unfortunate Battel and rais'd others and form'd them into Regiments He sent likewise for those Forces he had through Haste left behind him in the Upper Provinces when he first began his Expedition To conclude he was so earnest and diligent in recruiting his Army that they were now twice as many as they were at Issus for they made up a Body of Eight hundred thousand Foot and Two hundred thousand Horse besides a vast multitude of hook'd Chariots These considerable Actions were the Events of this Year CHAP. IV. Alexander marches towards Egypt Besieges Tyre Prodigies of Tyre The Tyrians bind Apollo with Golden Chains The Inventions of the Tyrians to defend
together for their remaining Liberties But the Athenians in regard they had receiv'd many Kindnesses and Marks of Honour from Alexander beyond all the rest of the Cities continu'd quiet and firm in their Duty But many of the Peloponnesians and some others entred into the League and inroll'd their Names as Soldiers for the Army so as according as every City was able they sent forth the choicest of their Youth and rais'd an Army of Twenty thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse The Management of the whole War was left to the Lacedaemonians who were resolv'd to lay all at Stake and made Agis General Antipater hearing of the Defection of the Greeks compos'd all Matters relating to the War in Thrace as well as he could and march'd with all his Forces into Greece having no less than Forty thousand Greek Auxiliaries as Confederates Hereupon a great Battel was fought wherein Agis though he behav'd himself with great Valour and Resolution was kill'd and at length the Lacedaemonians having stood to it stoutly for a long time upon their Confederates giving Ground likewise retreated towards Sparta There fell of the Lacedaemonians and their Confederates in this Battel above Five thousand and Three hundred Of those with Antipater Three thousand and Five hundred There was one Thing very Remarkable concerning the Death of Agis Having fought with great Gallantry and Resolution and receiv'd many Wounds he was carry'd off by the Soldiers in order to be brought back to his own Country but being surrounded by the Enemy and finding no likelihood to escape he charg'd his Soldiers forthwith to be gone and preserve themselves for the further Service of their Country He himself remain'd and with his Sword in his Hand fought it out upon his Knees and kill'd several of the Assailants till at length being shot through the Body with a Dart he there dy'd after he had reign'd Nine Years Thus far for Europe we shall now return again to the Affairs of Asia CHAP. VII Alexander comes to Babylon The Wealth found there Views his Troops at Sitacana The Riches there Thence goes into the Country of the Uxians Marches towards Persepolis A Company of maim'd Greeks met Alexander His Bounty to them He takes Persepolis gives it up to the Plunder of the Soldiers The Riches of the Cittadel of Persepolis Alexander's Feast at Persepolis Persepolis burnt at the Instigation of Thais Darius murder'd DArius being routed at Arabela fled towards the higher Provinces to the end that he might both by the distance of the Place recruit himself and likewise have more time to raise a new Army He came first to Ecbatane where he stay'd for some time and there receiv'd his broken Troops that came in to him and arm'd again such as had lost their Arms. He sent likewise for the Militia out of the Neighbouring Provinces and dispatch'd Messengers to the Lord-Lieutenants and Commanders in Bactria and the upper Praefectures wishing them to abide firm to him in their Faith and Loyalty Ant. Ch. 328. In the mean time Alexander after he had buri'd those that were kill'd in the Battel enter'd Arbela where he found abundance of rich Furniture of the Kings and vast Treasures of the Barbarians amounting to Three thousand Talents of Silver But because he judg'd that the Air thereabouts must needs be infected through the Stench of the Bodies that lay there slain he presently remov'd his Camp and came with all his Alexander comes to Babylon Forces to Babylon where he was chearfully receiv'd by the Inhabitants and splendid Entertainment afforded to the Macedonians And there his Army was refresh'd after the many Toils and Difficulties they had undergone And thus in the Confluence of all Things desirable and free and noble Entertainment of the Citizens he continu'd in the City above Thirty Days Then he made Agatho of Pydna Governor of the Castle with a Garison of Seven Hundred Macedonians To Apollodorus of Amphipolis and Menetes of Pelea he gave the Government of Babylon and of all the Prefectures as far as to Cilicia and order'd them to raise what Forces they could and gave them a Thousand Talents for that purpose He made Mithrinas who betray'd the Castle of Sardis Lord Lieutenant of Armenia Of the Monies that he found in Babylon he gave to every Horseman * About 19 l. Six Minas to every Auxiliary Five to each of the Macedonian Phalanx Two and to every Foreign Mercenary Two Months Pay The King removing from Babylon as he was in his March there came to him Recruits from Antipater Five hundred Macedonian Horse and Six thousand Foot Six hundred Recruits come to him Thracian Horse and Three thousand Five hundred Trallians From Peloponnesus Four thousand Ant. Ch. 328. Foot and almost a Thousand Horse Among these were sent Fifty of the Sons of the King 's special Friends from Macedonia design'd by their Fathers to be of the King's Life-Guard Having receiv'd these he march'd forward and came after Six Decampments into the Province of Sitacina And here he stay'd several Days in regard the Country abounded in all Things necessary for the Life of Man and for that he had a mind his Soldiers should refresh themselves after their tedious March And had a Purpose likewise to take a more exact View and Account of his Troops and to inlarge the Commands and Governments of his Captains and Commanders and so to strengthen his Army both by the Number of Soldiers and Valour of their Officers All which he forthwith put in Execution and making choice of the most Deserving with the utmost Care possible he advanc'd many from very considerable Places of Trust and Authority to much higher Preferments by which means he both promoted his Officers and gain'd their Hearts and Affections at the same time He took care also for the better Government of the Common Soldiers and by many new Inventions put every thing into a better Order and Posture than they were before To conclude when he had so manag'd every thing as that he had gain'd the Love of the whole Army and made them in all Points observant to his Commands and was assur'd for Valour they would give Ground to none he march'd forward in order to finish by fighting what further remain'd When he came to the Province of Susiana he presently without any difficulty gain'd the Possession Ant. Ch. 328. of Susa the Royal City the most beautiful Palace of the Universe which was voluntarily surrender'd to him by Abuletes the Lord Lieutenant of the Province But some Writers Enters Susa have said That this was done by order from Darius himself to them that otherwise would have been both Loyal and Faithful to his Interest and that this was done by the Persian King for this end that Alexander being taken up with Matters of such great Moment as taking Possession of famous and noble Cities and loading himself with vast Treasures Darius might gain more time for the raising of fresh
of all the Elephants in that Tract and receiv'd the Indians into his Protection Thence he mov'd to the River Indus where being furnish'd with some Ships of Thirty Oars a piece with them he made a Bridge over the River and continu'd in that place Ant. Ch. 326. for thirty days space to refresh his Army and there offer'd magnificent Sacrifices to the Gods After he had pass'd over his Forces there hapned something unusual and remarkable One Taxilis who formerly reign'd in that Country being lately dead his Son Mophis succeeded him this Mophis some time before had sent an Ambassador to Alexander when he was in Sogdiana to offer him his Assistance against the Indians that were then preparing to oppose him and likewise promis'd to deliver up his Kingdom into the King's hands When the King was Thirty Furlongs distant Mophis and his Friends march'd towards him with a well-appointed Army and Elephants adorn'd and fitted for Battel When Alexander saw so numerous an Army advance he believ'd the Indian had made a Cloak of his Promises to cover his Fraud by that means to surprize the Macedonians at unawares therefore he commanded the Trumpets to give the Sign of Battel and drew up his Army in Battalia and advanc'd towards the Indians But Mophis being inform'd of the sudden Commotion that was amongst the Macedonians easily judging what was the occasion commanded his Army to make an halt and he himself with a few in his Company posts away and presently undeceives the Macedonians by delivering up himself and his Army which was the Strength of the Kingdom into the Power of the King who was so well pleas'd with what the Barbarian had done that he restor'd him to his Kingdom and ever after found Taxiles for so he was call'd his constant and faithful Friend and Associate And these were the Transactions of this Year CHAP. X. Alexander overcomes Porus. How Apes are taken Strange Serpents for Venem Large Trees Marches against the Andrastians Catheri and against Sophithes The Custom of them under Sophithes Indian Dogs Entertain'd by Phigeus The Macedonians refuse to march against the Gandarides Alexander leaves Monuments behind him at the River Hyphasis Nicea built and Bucephalis The Ibori present Alexander Routs the Agalassians In danger in the River Indas by Whirlpools Marches against the Oxidracans and Mallians The King leaps off the Wall into the Town A Duel between Coragus and Dioxippus The Sambestae submit to Alexander and the Sodrans and Massanians Subdues Musicanus Porticanus and Sambus Poison'd Weapons The King's Dream Comes into the main Ocean Comes into Gedrosia The Savageness of the People His Army near perishing in Gedrosia Comes into Carmania Punishes the Bormcial Goremours Nearchus returns Islands cover'd at high Tides The strange Death of Calanus Alexander marrieth Statira Harpalus his Luxury He seizes with his own Hand them that mutiny'd AT the time when Chremes was Lord Chancellor at Athens and Publius Cornelius and Olymp. 113. 2. Ant. Ch. 325. An. M. 3623. Aulus Posthumius executed the Consulship at Rome Alexander after he had refresh'd his Army in the Province of Taxilis march'd against Porus Prince of the Neighbouring Indians who had in his Army above Fifty thousand Foot Three thousand Horse above a Thousand Chariots and an Hundred and thirty Elephants and was confederated with another Neighbouring King call'd Embisarus not inferior in Power to Porus. Alexander's Battel with Porus. Alexander understanding that he was not above 400 Furlongs distant from Porus advanc'd with a Resolution to fight him before the other join'd him Porus perceiving him to approach drew up his Horse in two Wings His Elephants so accountred as to terrifie his Enemies he plac'd at equal distances one from another in the Front and lin'd them with his arm'd Men who were commanded to guard and defend them from Darts and Arrows in the Flank The whole Army drawn up thus in Battalia seem'd like a City For the Elephants stood like so many Towers and the Soldiers plac'd among them resembled the Walls Alexander on the other hand observing how his Enemies were drawn up so dispos'd and order'd his own Men as the present Circumstances of his Affairs then requir'd The Horse engag'd in the first place and thereupon almost all the Indians Chariots were presently broken in pieces Afterwards the Elephants being made use of by the mighty Bulk of their Bodies and their great Strength bore down and trod underfoot Ant. Ch. 325. many of the Macedonians others were catch'd up in their Trunks and toss'd into the Air and then fell down again with great violence upon the Earth and so miserably perish'd Many likewise were so rent and torn by their Teeth that they died forthwith However the Macedonians with invincible Courage indur'd all the Hardships wherewith they were press'd and with their * The Macedonian Pikes Sarissas kill'd the Soldiers that guarded the Elephants So that now they fought upon equal Terms and not long after the Beasts being ply'd with Darts on every side and not being able longer to endure the many Wounds they receiv'd their Riders were not able to rule them insomuch as they furiously rush'd backwards and broke in upon their own Regiments and trode many of them underfoot which caus'd great disturbance and consusion Upon which Porus mounted upon the Bravest Elephant seeing how things were like to be commanded Forty of those that were not as yet startled and affrighted to be plac'd round about him And with these he made so desperate and sierce a Charge that he made a sad Slaughter amongst the Macedonians especially being a Man of the strongest Body of all those that were with him for he was five Cubits high and in bulk proportionable so that his Breast-plate was twice as big as any of the rest of the most strongest Men amongst them and he threw a Dart with as great force as if it had been shot out of an Engine But this extraordinary Strength of Porus did not at all terrifie the Macedonians that were plac'd in the front against him Alexander therefore commanded the Archers and light-arm'd Men with all their Darts and Arrows to make at Porus himself who did as they were commanded So that such a multitude of Archers were got in one Body together and such Showers of Darts and Arrows pour'd out upon him that they could not possibly miss their Mark Porus overcome Porus at length having fought with great Valour and Resolution by multitude of Wounds lost so much Blood as that his Spirits fail'd him and he fell down from his Beast to the Ground Upon which it being presently spread abroad that the King was dead the rest of the Indians fled and thereupon a great Slaughter was made amongst ' em Thus Alexander having gain'd this glorious Victory at length commanded his Trumpets Ant. Ch. 325. to sound a Retreat But there were kill'd in this Battel above Twelve thousand Indians amongst whom were Two Sons of
breeds and pastures an innumerable Company of Horses for they say That there had been here an Hundred and sixty thousand Horses that ran at Pasture up and down in the Country but at the coming of Alexander there were only Sixty thousand He encamp'd herefor the space of Thirty Days Thence in seven Encampments he came to Echatana in Media This City is * About 30 Mile Hephestion dies Aelian Var. Hist l. 7. c. 8. Two hundred and Ecbatana fifty Furlongs in compass and is the Metropolis of all Media where abundance of Treasure was laid up Here he staid some time and refresh'd his Army and spent his time in Feasting Drinking and Stage-Plays at which time Hephestion one that he lov'd above all others fell sick of a Surfeit and died Whose death the King bore very grievously and committed his Body to Perdiccas to be carry'd to Babylon because he intended to bury him with great Pomp and State While these things were acting in Asia Greece was full of Tumults and Seditions whence broke out the War call'd the Lamian War upon this occasion After the King's Order The Lamian War to the Lords Lieutenants of the Provinces to disband all Mercenary Soldiers and the execution of those Commands many Foreiguers that were cashier'd went stragling over all Asia and for want of Subsistence robb'd and spoil'd the Country till they all came into one Body at Tenarus in Laconia So likewise all the Governors and Commanders of the Persians that were left got together what Men and Money they could and came all to Tenarus and there join'd their Forces together There they created Leostenes an Athenian Ant. Ch. 324. a brave Spirited Man General of the Army who then call'd a Council of War and after Consultation had concerning the Management of the War dispos'd of Fifty Talents to pay the Mercenaries and provided Arms sufficient for the present occasion He sent likewise Ambassadors to the Aetolians who were disaffected to the King to join with them in Arms. And thus Leostenes was altogether taken up in necessary Preparations for a War of the greatness of which he had then a clear and evident Prospect Alexander now march'd against the Cosseans who refus'd to submit to his Government This People are a very Warlike Nation and inhabit the hilly and mountainous Parts of The Cosseans invaded Media and therefore confiding in their own Valour and the Fastnesses of their Coun-Country never would be brought of admit to any foreign Prince to reign over them and were never subdu'd during all the time of the Persian Empire And at that time they were so very high that they slighted the Valour of the Macedonians The King first gain'd the Passes and then wasted a great part of the Country of Cosea and getting the better in every Engagement kill'd many of the Barbarians and took many more Prisoners At length the Cosseans being worsted and beaten in every place and greatly concern'd at the multitude of the Captives were forc'd to redeem their Country by the loss of their own Liberty and so giving up themselves to the Will of the Conqueror they obtain'd Peace upon condition they should be Loyal and Obedient for the time to come Thus Alexander conquer'd this Nation in the space of forty Days and after he hadbuilt some Cities atthe most difficult Passes in the Country he march'd away Socicles was now Archon at Athens and Cornelius Lentulus and Quintus †Publius Popilius Roman Consuls when Alexander after the Conquest of the Cosseans march'd thence towards Babylon Olymp. 113. 4. Ant. Ch. 233. An. M. 3625. He always rested a while between every Decampment and to ease his Army mov'd very slowly When he was about Three hundred Furlongs from Babylon the * Caldean Priests Marches towards Babylon Caldean Astrologers Caldeans as they are call'd who were famous for Astrology and us'd to prognosticate future Events by the Observation of the Stars and by that means knew that the King would die presently after he enter'd into Babylon pick'd out some of the most ancient and expert of those of their Profession and order'd them to signifie the Danger to the King and with all the Arguments they could use to dissuade him from entring into the City and to let him know that he might avoid the Danger if he would rebuild the Sepulchre of Belus which the Persians had destroy'd and alter his Purpose and pass by the City Belephentes was the leading Man of the Caldeans that were sent away but he was afraid to address himself to the King and therefore privately imparted all to Nearchus one of the King 's familiar Friends and desir'd him that with all speed he would acquaint the King with the whole Business Alexander was much concern'd when Nearchus told him what the Caldeans had prognosticated and more and more considering and pondering in his Thoughts the Skill and Reputation of the Man was in no small Consternation At length he sent away many of his Friends to the City but he himself turn'd aside another way and pass'd by Babylon and encamping Two hundred Furlongs distant from the place he there rested At this all were in admiration whereupon many Philosophers came to him Ant. Ch. 323 as well those that were Followers of Anaxagoras as other Grecians When they came to understand the cause of his Fear they earnestly oppos'd what was said with many Philosophical Arguments by which he was so convinc'd and chang'd that he contemn'd all sorts of Divination whatsoever and especially that of the Caldeans that was every where so famous Therefore now as if his Spirit before wounded had been cur'd by the Arguments of Philosophers he entred Babylon with his Army where as before the Soldiers were kindly entertain'd by the Citizens and the Plenty of Provision was such that all Enters Babylon gave up themselves to Ease and Voluptuousness And these were the things acted this Year CHAP. XII Ambassadors come to Alexander from all Parts He buries Hephestion with great State The Prodigies before Alexander's Death His Death Darius's Mother starves her self AGesias was now Chief Magistrate of Athens and Caius Poetelius and Lucius Papirius Olymp. 114. 1. Ant. Ch. 322. An. M. 3625. Ambassadors comâ— to Alexander from all parts Thâ— African â—â—â—ar at far as Cadiâ— Consuls at Rome when the Hundred and fourteenth Olympiad was celebrated in which Micinas of Rhodes was Victor At this time Ambassadors came to Alexander almost from all Parts of the World some to congratulate his Victories others to tender him Crowns others to make Leagues and Alliances with him and many brought him very Rich and Noble Presents And some there were that came to clear themselves from false Accusations For besides those sent from the Cities States and Princes of Asia many Ambassadors addrest themselves to the King from Europe and Africa Out of Africa the Carthaginians and the Phoenicians of Lybia and all bordering upon the Sea
Thessaly with a Design to divide Antipater's Army P. 648. The Aetolians invade Thessaly They had Twelve thousand Foot and * Four hundred rather Four thousand Horse commanded as General by Alexander an Aetolian In their March they besieg'd the Locrians in Amphissa and harrass'd their Country and took some of the neighbouring Towns and Villages They routed likewise Polycles Antipater's General and kill'd him with a great number of his Men. Of the Prisoners they took some were sold for Slaves and others were ransom'd Afterwards they broke into Thessaly and brought over many there to join with them in the War against Antipater insomuch as they made up in the whole a Body of Five and twenty thousand Foot and Fifteen hundred Horse while they were taking in the Cities the Acarnanians bearing a Grudge to the Aetolians invaded Aetolia wasted and spoil'd the Country and besieg'd Ant. Ch. 320. the Cities When the Aetolians heard what Danger their Country was in they left the rest of their Forces in Thessaly under the Command of Menon of Pharsalis and they themselves speedily march'd back with their own Soldiers into Aetolia and struck such a Terror into the Acarnanians that they presen◠reliev'd their Country While they were thus employ'd Polyspherchon who was left General in Macedonia came into Polyspherchon routs the Aetolians Thessaly with a brave Army and fought and routed the Enemy killing Menon the General and cutting off most of his Army and so recover'd Thessaly As for the Affairs of Asia Arrhideus and Pytho Protectors of the Kings leaving the River Nile came with the Kings and the whole Army to †Triparadisus call'd by Pliny Nat. Hist Paradisus l. 1. c. 23. The Triple Garden Triparadisus in ** Higher Syria or Caelo Syria Higher Syria There * Wife of Arrhideus one of the Kings of Macedon Ant. Ch. 320. Euridice the Queen taking upon her to intermeddle and pry too curiously into Matters that concern'd her not and to controul the Protectors Pytho and his Friends hereby became much disgusted and perceiving that the Macedonians were more observant to her Commands than to theirs they call'd a Council and gave up the Protectorship Whereupon the Macedonians chose Antipater Protector with absolute Authority A few days after Antipater going to Triparadisus found Eurydice stiring up the Macedonians to a Sedition against him whereupon there arose no small Mutiny in the Army Antipater hereupon call'd a General Council and so argu'd and canvass'd the Business with them that he allay'd the Spirit of the People and brought Eurydice through fear of him into a better Temper After these Things were over Antipater made a second Division of the Provinces and allotted to Ptolemy that whereof he was then in Possession For it was not Practicable to remove him because it appear'd Ptolemy had gain'd Aegypt as a Conqueror Syria he gave to Laomedon of Mitylene and Cilicia to Philoxenus Of the other Provinces he The Provinces again divided by Antipater assign'd Mesopotamia and Arbelitis to Amphimachus the Province of Babylon to Seleucus and Susiana to * For Antigines Captain of the Silver Targateers Antigonus because he was the first that set the Wheel a going in order to overthrow Perdiccas To Peucestas he granted Persia to Tlepolemus Carmania to Pithon Media and to Philip Parthia Aria and Drangana he allotted to Stasandrus the Cyprian Bactriana and Sogdiana to Stasanorus of Solium born in the same Island Parapamisada to Oxyartas the Father of Rhoxana whom Alexander marry'd and India bordering upon Parapamisada to Pithon the Son of Agenor Of the Kingdoms next adjoyning that which border'd upon the River Indus continu'd under the Power of Porus that which lay to Hydaspes remain'd with Taxilis For these Kings were not to be Dispossess'd but with the Royal Army and a skilful and expert General As to the †The Lesser Asia P. 649. Northern Provinces he gave the Government of Cappadocia to Nicanor and the Greater Phrygia and * Cilicia for Lycia Cilicia to Antigonus to hold them as he did before Lastly to Cassander he assign'd Caria to Clitus †For Lydia Lycia and to Arrhideus Phrygia at the Hellespont Antigonus he appointed General of the Royal Army and commanded him to pursue and destroy Eumenes To Antigonus he also join'd Cassander and Clearchus that if he secretly projected any thing he Ant. Ch. 320. might be discover'd He himself march'd with the Kings and his Troops towards Macedonia that he might conduct the Kings back into their own Country Antigonus therefore being declar'd absolute Commander of Asia drew out the Forces out of their Winter-Quarters to fight with Eumenes and to that end furnishing himself with Antigonus routs Eumenes all necessary Preparations for the War he march'd towards Eumenes who then lay in Cappadocia where one call'd Perdiccas one of his chief Commanders had deserted him and lay encamp'd with Three thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse that follow'd him about three days March distant But Eumenes sent out Phenices of Tenedos with Four thousand good Foot and a Thousand Horse against him who with a swift March fell upon the Rebels on a sudden in the Night when they were asleep and took Perdiccas and all his Army Prisoners about the second Watch of the Night Eumenes put to Death the chief Ringleaders of the Defection and spar'd the rest of the Soldiers and mix'd them amongst his own and by this means gain'd all their Affections After this Antigonus by a Correspondence with one Apollonides General of the Horse on Eumenes his side by large Promises so effected the Business that he prevail'd with him to betray Eumenes and come over to him in the heat of the Fight Eumenes was then encamp'd in Cappadocia Ant. Ch. 320. in * In the Country of Orcynia on Cappadocia Ush Ann. 300. Places very convenient for Engagement with Horse Antigonus therefore made thither with his whole Army and possess'd himself of the higher Ground under the Foot of the Mountains He had at that time above Ten thousand Foot of whom most were Macedonians brave and valiant Men and Two thousand Horse and Thirty Elephants Eumenes had no less than Twenty thousand Foot and Five thousand Horse Presently a sharp and bloody Battel was fought in which Antigonus through the sudden and unexpected Desertion of Apollonides with his Horse and going over to the other side got the Day killing Eight thousand Men of the Enemy upon the place and possessing himself of all their Bag and Baggage so that the Eumeneans through the Slaughter that was made were in a Consternation and by the loss of all their Carriages were brought to an utter Desperation Hereupon Eumenes design'd to fly into Armenia to perswade some Eumenes flies to Nora of the Inhabitants to join with him in Arms but being prevented by a swift Pursuit and perceiving his Men to run away from him to Antigonus he
to cut off all ways and means of Retreat to Alcetas this done those upon the Tops of the Mountains by the Advantage of the steepness and difficulty of the Places easily put the Phalanx to flight Hereupon Alcetas his Men being surrounded with the Multitude of their Enemies and all Passes block'd up between them and their Foot they look'd upon themselves all as dead Men. Therefore seeing no other Remedy or Means left to escape Alcetas with the Loss of Multitudes of his Men at length with much ado broke through his Enemies and got to the Foot Hereupon Antigonus marching down from the Hills with his whole Army and his Elephants the Enemy who were far inferior in Number were mightily terrify'd For all the Confederates were not above Sixteen thousand Foot and Nine hundred Horse whereas the Forces of Antigonus besides Elephants were above Forty thousand Foot Ant. Ch. 319. and Seven thousand Horse Those therefore with Alcetas considering that they should meet with Elephants in the Front and be surrounded with Multitudes of Horse and forc'd to engage with Foot far exceeding them both in Number of Men and in the Skilfulness of their Arms and besides had the Advantage of the higher Ground fell into Confusion and Amazement nay the Enemy hasted and came upon them so fast that they were not able to draw up their Men in due order of Battel so that the whole Army was presently broken in pieces and Attalus Docimus and Polemo and many other Commanders were taken Prisoners But Alcetas with his Life-Guard his Children Alcetas receiv'd into Termessus and those Pisidians that sided with him got into Termessus a City of Pisidia Then Antigonus came to an Agreement with the Captains his Prisoners and the rest he dispos'd of among his own Troops using them with all Humanity and by this means greatly encreas'd his Army But about Six thousand Pisidians valiant Men resolv'd to stick to Alcetas and promis'd they would never desert him upon any Terms whatsoever For they lov'd him intirely for the Reasons following For When Alcetas after the Death of Perdiccas had no Confederates in Asia he determin'd by some acts of Kindness or other to engage the Pisidians because he knew he should thereby gain a Warlike People that had a Country very difficult to enter and full of strong Forts to be his Confederates Therefore in every Expedition he always bestow'd special P. 652 Ant. Ch. 319. Marks of Honour upon them above all the rest of his Confederates For he so divided the Spoil of his Enemies that the Half was ever allotted to them Moreover by his Familiarity and Freedom in Converse daily Invitations of the most eminent Persons amongst them to his Table and by his Bounty and Liberality in bestowing upon them many large Gifts and Rewards he ingross'd to himself the Love of all So that now having anchor'd all his Hopes and plac'd his chiefest Confidence in them he was not frustrated in his Expectation For when Antigonus encamp'd with his whole Army before Termessus and demanded Alcetas to be deliver'd up to him and the Elders of the City had determin'd to give him up all the young Men got together and resolv'd to run all Hazards and the utmost Extremity for his Preservation The Elders indeed at first endeavour'd to disswade the young Men and draw them off from their former Resolve wishing them not to involve their Country in War for the sake of one Macedonian But when they saw that they could not allay the Heat of the young Men they secretly consulted together and in the Night sent away a Messenger to Antigonus and by him faithfully promis'd That they would deliver Alcetas up to him either dead or alive To this end they desir'd him That by assaulting the City for some Days he would decoy the young Men to sally out and while he was skirmishing with them to feign a Flight by this means when the young Men were out of the City and busy in Pursuit they should have an Opportunity to accomplish their Design Antigonus assented hereunto and drew Ant. Ch. 319. off from the City at a further Distance and so egg'd on the young Men to Skirmishes and light Pickeerings The * Or Aldermen Elders now discerning Alcetas left alone they employ'd the faithfullest of their Servants and the most active Men of the City that were not engag'd with him and with them in the Absence of the young Men set upon him but could not take him for he kill'd himself with his own Hand lest he should fall alive Alcetas murder'd into the Power of the Enemy But they laid his Body upon a Bier casting over it a course Cloth and carry'd it out of the Gates and unknown to them that were skirmishing deliver'd it to Antigonus By this Device they freed their Country and prevented a War but they could not avoid the Fury of the young Men. For when they return'd and understood what was done through that ardent Love and Affection they bore Alcetas they were so enrag'd at their Governors that they first possess'd themselves of a part of the City and resolv'd to set the Houses on fire and after to issue out with their Arms and betake themselves to the Mountains and wast and destroy all the Country round belonging to Antigonus But afterwards they alter'd their Purpose as to the burning of the City and began by robbing and spoiling miserably to lay waste a great part of the Enemy's Country In the mean time Antigonus having receiv'd the Body of Alcetas us'd it with all the Disgrace and Contumely imaginable for the space of three Days together and then beginning to putrify contemptuously cast it out without any Burial and so march'd out of Pisidia But the young Men of Termessus bearing still a Love and Respect to the abus'd Body of the Dead took it up and decently bury'd it He was of so kind and obliging a Nature Ant. Ch. 319. that there was something singular in him of Love and Respect to all those that deserv'd well and therefore he was ever towards such unchangeable in his Love and Affection Antigonus having left Pisidia made towards Phrygia with his whole Army When he came to the City of the Cretiens Aristodemus the Milesian brought him the News of Antipater's Death and that the chief Command together with the Protectorship of the Antipater's Death Kings was devolv'd upon Polysperchon the Macedonian He was pleas'd with the News and now his Hopes were exalted for he made it his Business to Rule and Govern all the Affairs of Asia and to gain the Absolute and Sovereign Command there without stooping to any And thus stood the Affairs of Antigonus at this time In Macedonia while Antipater was seiz'd with a grievous Sickness and old Age making way for his Dissolution the Athenians sent Demades who was look'd upon as one P. 653. that had manag'd Things with the Macedonians with a great deal
the Siege and to let Arrideus know That the City was ready to submit to any thing he thought fit except the receiving of a Garison But in the mean time they secretly arm'd all their young Men and Slaves that were fit for Service and so lin'd the Walls round with Men for the Defence of the Town But Arrideus still pressing the matter for the receiving of a Garison the Ambassadors answer'd Ant. Ch 319. That they would acquaint the Citizens with his Demands which he consented unto and so discharg'd them and being thus freed they spent all that Day and the Night next following in Preparations for the holding out of the Siege Being thus deluded he lost the Opportunity of accomplishing what he design'd For the Cyzians in regard the City was very strong and well guarded on the Land side for it was a Peninsula and being P. 655. Masters likewise at Sea they easily repuls'd the Enemy Moreover they sent to them of Byzantium for Soldiers and Darts and all other Things that were necessary and useful against an Assault All which were speedily and readily sent to them whereby their Hopes were so reviv'd that they were the more encourag'd to stand it out to the utmost They presently likewise put forth their Long Ships to Sea and fail'd along the Coast and took in those that were in the Fields and brought them back to the City Having therefore thus increas'd the number of their Soldiers after the killing a great many of the Besiegers they forc'd the Enemy to raise the Siege whereupon Arrideus cheated by this Stratagem of the Cyzians after a fruitless attempt return'd into his own Province In the mean time Antigonus lying at Celena was inform'd of the Siege at Cyzicum and therefore resolv'd to lay an Obligation upon that City then in danger to be ruin'd to Antigonus goes to vaise the Siege at Cyzicum Ant. Ch. 319. favour him in his future Designs To that end he detach'd out of his whole Army Twenty thousand of his best Foot and Three thousand Horse and with these march'd away with all speed to the Aid of the Cyzians but came thither a little too late And so though he made a show of a great Kindness to the City yet he was wholly frustrated in his Design But he sent Ambassadors to Arrideus to expostulate Matters with him first Why he dar'd to besiege a Greek Confederate City without any Provocation Then to charge him with open Rebellion and with a Purpose to make himself absolute Lord and Sovereign of the Province Lastly To command him to depart out of the Province and thence-forward to live a private Life and content himself with one only City for his Subsistence Arrideus hearing these Demands of the Ambassadors and charging them with Insolency told them he would not leave the Province but that he would Garrison all his Cities and was resolv'd to decide the matter with him by the Sword In pursuance of what he had said having every where fortified his Towns and Cities he sent away a General with part of his Army commanding him to join with Eumenes and to free the Fort from the Siege and Eumenes from the Straits and Difficulties wherein Eumenes got out of Nora by Antigonus his Order The Acts of Antigonus Ant. Ch. 319. he then was and to persuade him to be his Confederate in the War Antigonus in the mean time eager to be reveng'd on Arrideus sent away some of his Forces against him and he himself march'd with a numerous Army towards Lydia with a Purpose to depose Clitus the Lord-Lieutenant of that Province who having before intelligence of his march Garison'd all his principal Cities and he himself sail'd over into Macedonia to inform the Kings and Polysperchon of the Revolt and Impudence of Antigonus and to crave their Aid and Assistance Antigonus at his first approach had Ephesus deliver'd up to him by the Assistance of some in the City Afterwards when Aesculus the Rhodian arriv'd at Ephesus with four Ships wherein were Six hundred Talents of Silver sent out of Cilicia to the Kings in Macedonia he seiz'd upon the Money alledging he had occasion to use it for the raising and listing Soldiers By which Act he sufficiently declar'd to the World That he was altogether designing his own Interest and was an apparent Enemy to the Kings After this he besieg'd those Cities that stood out some of which he took by Assault and others he gain'd by fair Words and Promises Having now related the Acts of Antigonus we shall pass over to those Things that happen'd to Eumenes This Man had the frequent Experience of sudden Turns and Eumenes his various Fortunes Changes of Fortune being sometimes in low and other times again beyond all Expectation in very prosperous Circumstances In former times when he assisted Perdiccas and the Kings he gain'd the Province of Cappadocia and those Places that as Members belong'd to it where he liv'd in the height of Prosperity commanding both Men and Money at his Pleasure For he conquer'd P. 656. Ant. Ch. 317. Craterus and Neoptolemus two famous Captains who then Commanded the before-unconquer'd Troops of the Macedonians and kill'd them both in the Fight So that now he seem'd to be invincible when on a sudden his Fortune was so chang'd that he was routed by Antigonus in a great Battel and forc'd to fly with a few Friends to a very little Fort for shelter Being then shut up and hemm'd in with a double Wall he had no Friend left that could help him in his Distress but after he had been coop'd up a Year together now utterly despairing of Deliverance unexpectedly and on a sudden appear'd an opportunity of Freedom from all his Troubles For Antigonus who a little before had straitly besieg'd him and earnestly sought to take away his Life the Scene being chang'd now seeks to him to be a Partner with him in his Concerns and so upon a mutual Stipulation upon Oath between them he was freed from the Pressures and Hardships of the Siege And thus after a long time being unexpectedly deliver'd he continu'd a while in Cappadocia where he again got together his old Friends and his former Fellow-Soldiers that were dispers'd and scatter'd up and down in the Country and was so wonderfully belov'd that many of his Associates and Companions in the same Hopes and Expectations presently flock'd to him ready to join in Arms and be observent to all his Commands To conclude within a very few days he had got together above Two thousand Soldiers who chearfully listed themselves besides those five hundred Friends who indur'd the Siege with him in the Fort And by the Assistance of Fortune he was at length rais'd to that height that he gain'd the Kings Forces and defended the Interest of the Kings against all that dar'd to deprive them of their Sovereign Authority But we shall give a more exact account of these Matters shortly hereafter in
a publick Decree tobring Polysperchon besieged Megalopolis but was bassed with great loss in every thing into the Town that was in the Fields Then taking an account of their strength they found that in ancient Citizens Strangers and Servants they were in number Fifteen thousand who were able to bear Arms They forthwith therefore form'd some into Regiments others they appointed to work in the Fortifications and to some were allotted the care and charge of Guarding of the Walls so that at one and the same time some were employ'd in drawing a deep Trench round the City some carrying Earth out of the Fields and others repairing and making up the Breaches in the Walls others hammering of Arms and others were busy in making of Darts and Artillery So that the Dangers which threatned and the forwardness of the Inhabitants put the whole City in action For the Greatness of the Kings Army and the wonderful strength of the Elephants that attended them was nois'd abroad in every place And now all things were ready and prepar'd when Polysperchon approach'd with his Army and Encamp'd near Ant. Ch. 318. the City dividing his Forces into two Camps one of Macedonians and another of Confederates and then brings to the Walls wooden Towers of that height as to overtop them and upon the Towers Men placed with all sorts of Weapons and with these he drave them off who were placed upon the Rampiers P. 665 In the mean time the Walls being Undermin'd and the Props and Supporters set on fire three of the largest Towers were overwhelm'd and tumbled down with the ruin of the like number of Turrets plac'd between them This great and sudden Destruction caus'd the Macedonians to set up a shout and the strangeness of the thing amaz'd the Besieg'd And now the Macedonians rush through the Breach into the City and the Megalopolitans before in parties now all together having the advantage of the Difficulty of the Place occasion'd by the Rubbish made up to one part and bravely bore the Brunt of the Enemies attack and beat them off Then they cast up another Work of Earth to guard the Breach and working Night and Day without any intermission rais'd another Wall between them and the Enemy which was presently compleated for being they were furnish'd with every thing that was necessary and had many Hands at work the Megalopolitans quickly repair'd the damage sustain'd As for those that assaulted them from their Wooden Towers they ply'd them with their Engines of Artillery and with Darts and Stones out of Bows and Slings gall'd and wounded many of their Enemies After many were kill'd and wounded on both sides till Night approaching Polysperchon sounded a Retreat and drew off his Men into the Camp The next day he remov'd the Rubbish before the Breach to make way and passage for the Elephants for he thought by the strength of these Creatures to break through into Ant. Ch. 318. the City But the Megalopolitans by the help and conduct of Damides who in the Wars under Alexander experimentally knew the Nature and Use of the Elephants altogether baffl'd the Enemy For he making use of his own Reason and Industry against the Beasts Strength and Violence made their strong Bodies Useless and Unserviceable for in a Damides spoils the Elephants of Polysperchon at Megalopolis by a Stratagem great number of Planks he drave sharp Spikes and then strew'd them here and there in deep Trenches cover'd with Earth so as that the Points of the Spikes might not be seen and thus over these he left the Passage into the City But he suffer'd none of the Soldiers to stand in the Front but plac'd a great number of Darters and Archers and Engines of Artillery in the Flank Polysperchon therefore having clear'd the Place and now approaching with the throng of his Elephants an unexpected misfortune befell them For none appearing in Front to oppose them the Indians press'd them forward to make their way into the City who by the great weight of their Bodies press'd down upon the Spikes so that their Feet being wounded and even pierc'd through they were so founder'd that they were neither able to go forward or return back And besides showers of all sorts of Darts and Arrows being poured upon them from the Flankers some of the Indians were kill'd and others so wounded that they were not able to do any further service In the mean time the Elephants through the multitude of Darts and the strange and unusual Wounds by the Spikes were so cruelly tormented that they forc'd back Ant. Ch. 318. through their own Men and trode down many under foot At length the strongest and most formidable amongst them fell down others became altogether Unserviceable and some kill'd many of their own Men. Upon this Success the Megalopolitans were greatly encourag'd but Polysperchon wish'd he had never undertaken the Siege and because he could stay no longer there he left part of the Army to carry it on and betook himself to matters of more necessary consequence Then he sent away Clitus the Admiral with the Fleet Commanding him to P. 666. lie upon the Coasts of the Hellespont to stop the Passage of the Forces out of Asia into Europe and to join with Arrhideus who had fled to the City of the Ganians being Enemy to Antigonus After he had pass'd over the Hellespont and taken in the Cities of the Propontis he strengthen'd his Army with the Forces of Arrhideus Nicanor the Governor of Munychia on the other side being sent away with the whole Fleet by Cassander sail'd to those Parts where Clitus lay He join'd likewise with the Navy of Antigonus so that he had a Fleet of above a Hundred Sail. Hereupon there was a Fight at Sea near * Now Constantinople Ant. Ch. 318. Byzantium wherein Clitus was Conqueror A Sea-fight between Clitus and Nicanor Clitus Victor and sunk Seventeen of the Enemy's Ships and took no fewer than Forty together with all their Men. The rest got into the Haven of Chalcedon Clitus being thus successful suppos'd the Enemy by reason of this great loss durst never engage more at Sea But Antigonus having intelligence of this Defeat of the Fleet by his Industry and admirable Conduct presently repair'd it For having sent for several Transport Ships in the Night from the Byzantians on these he put on board Darters Slingers and other light-arm'd Men sufficient for the present design and in the Night transported them to the other side who before Day setting upon the Enemy at Land who had left their Ships and were there Encamp'd put Clitus and his Men into great Terror and Confusion who in that sudden Fear and Amazement leap'd into their Vessels so that through the cumber of their Luggage and multitude of Prisoners the Tumult and Disorder exceeded In the mean time Antigonus had fitted out some * Men of War Long Ships and Mann'd them with many of his
Itch of Monarchy before the Romans reduc'd it into the Form of a Province For the Cities deceiv'd by the Flatteries of the Orators advanc'd inconsiderable Men to that height till they became absolute Lords over the deluded Multitude But the Advancement of Agathocles to be Prince of Syracuse is above all others Agathocles the most singular and remarkable For he began at first in very mean and unlikely Circumstances but at last he involv'd not only Syracuse but all Sicily and Lybia it self in Blood and Slaughter He was so mean and low in the World in his Original that he follow'd the Trade of a Potter from whence he rose to that height of Power and Cruelty that he Lorded over the greatest and richest Island in the World and for some time gain'd the greatest part of Africa and some Parts of Italy and fill'd the Cities of Sicily with Butcheries and Oppressions None of the Tyrants that ever were before him committed the like Villany or exercis'd such barbarous Cruelty upon their Subjects For as for his own Kindred he put them all to Death Root and Branch and so plagu'd the Cities that he sometimes butcher'd all that were at Men and Women's estate and would would cut the Throats of Multitudes of poor Innocents for the Faults of a few without any difference or distinction and then presently would murder whole Cities Men Women and Children But because this Book with others that follow comprehend the Tyranny of Agathocles omitting any further Preface relating thereunto we shall now connex things coherent with those that were before related first allotting to everything we treat of its due and proper time In the preceding Eighteen Books we have endeavour'd to set forth whatever was done in the known Parts of the World from the beginning of Time to the Year next before the From the taking of Troy 866 years Reign of Agathocles to which time from the Taking of Troy are computed Eight hundred sixty six Years In this Book beginning with the first of his Reign we shall end with the Battel P. 671. fought by Agathocles with the Carthaginians containing an account of Affairs for the space of Seven Years CHAP. I. Agathocles his Parentage and Education His Rise His Stratagems His bloody Massacre at Syracuse He gains the Sovereign Power The Affairs of Italy Olympias returns into Macedonia by Polysperchon's means The Armies revolt to her Her Cruelties She murders Euridice and Arrideus her Husband Affairs in Asia Eumenes and Seleucus Eumenes join'd by many of the Captains The number of their Forces He comes to Susa Attalus and others imprison'd by Antigonus in a strong Castle seeking to escape are afterwards besieg'd and taken IN the Rule of Demogenes Chief Magistrate of Athens and when Lucius Plotius and Olymp. 115. 4. Ant. Ch. 315. An. M. 3633. Manius Fulvius were Roman Consuls Agathocles became Tyrant of Syracuse That things as they were severally done may be more clearly and distinctly understood we shall premise a few things concerning the foremention'd Prince Carsinus of Rhegium being banish'd from his Country dwelt at Thermis in Sicily which City was then in the hands of the Carthaginians This Man married a Woman of that Place who when she was big with Child us'd often to be troubled with strange Dreams The Parents of Agathocles Being therefore much perpiex'd in his Mind concerning this Embrio he intrusted this Affair with some devout Carthaginians who were then going to Delphos and desir'd them to enquire of the Oracle concerning this Child who faithfully performing what they were enjoyn'd the Oracle gave this Answer That that Child would bring dreadful Calamities upon the Carthaginians and all Sicily The Father being terrify'd with this Prediction expos'd the Child in the open Fields and left it with some to watch to observe its end After several days it still continu'd alive and the Guard upon it growing remiss and careless the Mother in the mean time stole the Child away in the Night but durst Ant. Ch. 315. not bring it back to her own House for fear of her Husband but intrusted it with her Brother Heraclides and call'd it Agathocles after the Name of her own Father Where being brought up he grew very Beautiful and of Strength of Body above what was usual at his Age. When he came to be seven years old Carsinus was invited His Education by Heraclides to * Invited to a Feast at a Sacrifice Sacrifice and there seeing Agathocles playing with other Children about the same Age he greatly admir'd both his Strength and Beauty and when his Wife told him That the Child which he so expos'd if he had been brought up would have prov'd as Manly a Child as that he then saw he answer'd that he was sorry for what he had done and then fell a weeping Whereupon the Woman perceiving that what she had done would be very pleasing and agreeable to her Husband she discover'd to him the Truth of the whole matter whereat he was mightily pleas'd and took away his Son and out of fear of the Carthaginians remov'd with all his Family to Syracuse but being but a poor Man he taught his Son then a Child the Potter's Trade at which time Timaleon the Corinthian having routed the Carthaginians at the River Cremissus made all free of the City that would come in to him amongst whom Carsinus with Agathocles were inroll'd as Citizens and Carsinus died a little time after The Mother of Agathocles had in a certain place set up her Son's Statue in Stone upon which a Swarm of Bees fastned and began to make their Wax-Combs upon the Hips of the Statue which remarkable Passage being related to those who apply themselves to Studies of that kind all unanimously agreed That when he came to be a Man he would Ant. Ch. 315. be famous which happen'd accordingly For Demas a Nobleman of Syracuse falling Agathocles a Catamite to Demas in love with Agathocles first supply'd him liberally with every thing he had occasion for so that he began in some measure to taste of Plenty afterwards being created †Demas General of the Agragentines he advanc'd him to be a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Captain of 1000. Colonel in the room of one that was then lately dead He was indeed very remarkable and of great Esteem before he was an Officer upon the account of the Strength of his Body for in the time of Training and Military Exercise he bore so great a weight of Armour and carry'd such mighty Weapons that no other Man was able to bear But now since he was made a Military Tribune his Fame spread abroad much more than it did before for he was eager to fight daring in Action and bold nay impudent in his Harangues to the People Demas afterwards fell sick and died and having left all his Estate to his Wife Agathocles marry'd her and Agathocles his rise so was esteem'd
great respect for Agathocles upon the account of the many instances of his kindness towards them throughout the whole War On the other hand they hated the Six hundred who had been a part of the Oligarchy in Syracuse and no less abhorr'd the People who forced them into Obedience There were Three thousand of them that were thus very ready with Heart and Hand to overturn the Democracy To these he join'd some of the Citizens who by reason of their Poverty envy'd the Power and Pomp of the great Ones When every thing was ready he order'd the Soldiers to meet him at spring of Day in a Body at * Near Syracuse Timoleontium and he himself in the mean time sent for Pisarchus and Decles Ant. Ch. 315. who seem'd to be the most leading Men among the Six hundred pretending to discourse with them concerning some Matters relating to the Publick Good When they came to him accompany'd with forty of their Friends he pretended he was to be betray'd by them and thereupon seiz'd them all and accus'd them to the Soldiers declaring that for his love to the People he was likely to be hurried away to destruction by the Six Agathocles Cruelties in Syracuse hundred and sadly bewail'd his Miserable State and Condition at which all the Soldiers were so enrag'd that they cry'd out that Revenge should be presently taken without any further delay upon the Authors of such Injustice Upon which he commanded the Trumpets to sound a Charge and order'd his Soldiers to kill those that were the Ring-leaders of the Mischief and spoil and plunder the Six hundred and all those that sided with them of all their Goods and Estates Hereupon all being now eagerly set upon Ravage P. 674. and Spoil the whole City was fill'd with Horror and Confusion for the most Innocent of the Citizens not dreaming of any Massacre design'd against them ran out of their Houses into the Streets to see what the Ground was of the Uproar whereupon the Soldiers partly through their Covetousness to enrich themselves and partly through Madness and Rage fell upon the Naked People that through Ignorance had no Arms Ant. Ch. 315. to defend themselves and put them all to the Sword For the Soldiers having secur'd all the Narrow Lanes and Passes in the City the Citizens were inhumanly Murder'd some in their Houses and others in the Streets and many altogether Innocent not accus'd of the least Fault were knock'd on the Head while they were asking the reason why they were to be kill'd For the common Soldiers having now all in their Hands made no difference betwixt Friend and Foe but he was sure to be reputed an Enemy where most was to be gotten by his Fall so that then you might see the whole City fill'd with Violence Murders Slaughters and all kinds of Wickedness For some out of former grudges spar'd not to load those they before hated with all sorts of Disgrace having now full sway to do whatever they pleas'd others judging it an act of Prudence to enrich themselves by the Butcheries of them that were rich spar'd no means nor omitted any contrivance to destroy them For some broke down the Gates of the Out-Courts others by Ladders ascended the House Tops and some fought with them that defended themselves from the Roofs of the Houses Nay there was no safety even to them who fled to the Temples under the shelter of the Gods but Piety towards the Gods was crusht and born down by the Cruelty of Men And these things Greeks against Greeks in their own Country and Kindred against Kindred in a time of Peace without any regard Ant. Ch. 315. either to the Laws of Nature or Leagues or Reverence to the Gods dar'd thus audaciously to commit Upon which account not only Friends but even Enemies themselves and every sober Man could not but pity the miserable Condition of these distressed People All the Gates were shut up and above Four thousand were kill'd in one day for no other fault but that they were in greater esteem than others Of those that endeavour'd to fly some in running to get out of the Gates were laid hold on others who cast themselves over the Walls escap'd to the next Towns Some through Fear and Inconsiderateness leap'd off the Walls and broke their Necks After all there were thrust out of the City as Exiles above Six thousand of whom the greatest part fled to Agrigentum where they were receiv'd and entertain'd with that Humanity as was agreeable to their present Condition But those of Agathocles his Faction who spent the whole day in Butchering of the Citizens were not sparing in committing their Rage and Villanies upon the Women but thought they should be reveng'd upon them that escap'd Death if they could but abuse their Kindred and Relations in the most Vile and Beastly manner imaginable For that it was very reasonable to think that it would be more bitter than Death it self to Husbands and Parents to think of the Abuses of their Wives and the Ravishings of their Daughters But from hence we must forbear composing a Tragedy as is very usual Ant. Ch. 315. with other Writers especially to stir up compassion towards them that are involv'd in such horrible Sufferings because none will expect an express account of every Particular when the whole is so ready and clear to be understood For they that durst impudently at Mid-day murder Innocents in the open Streets and Market place have no need of a Writer to set forth what they did in the Houses in the Night and how they behav'd themselves towards Wives and young Maids then in the power of their Enemies without any guard or defence to protect them But Agathocles after he had glutted himself with the slaughter of the Citizens two whole Days brought together all the Prisoners and releas'd Dimocrates upon the account of an old Friendship between them But as to the rest such as were his greatest Enemies he put to Death and banish'd the other Then calling a common Assembly he accus'd the P. 675. Six hundred and those who had favour'd the Oligarchy declaring that he would purge the City of all those that affected a Monarchy and restore the People to perfect Liberty and that he would henceforth stand upon equal ground with them all and live a private Life free from further Cares and Toils Upon saying of which he threw away his Generals Ant. Ch. 315. Coat and put on a Jacket and so went his way making a shew of himself as but one of the Common People He did this dissemblingly to act the Part of a Commoner being in the mean time very well assur'd that there were many in the Assembly that were Brethren in Iniquity with himself who would never suffer the Generalship to be devolv'd upon any other Hereupon those that had robb'd the oppress'd People of their Goods immediately cry'd out and with a loud Voice wish'd him
not to desert them but to take upon him the intire and absolute Management of all Affairs At first he seem'd to be very shy but Agathocles gains the Sovereign Command being afterwards more earnestly prest by the Multitude he told them he was willing to accept of the chief Command as General provided he should not be join'd with any other Collegue for he should never be content to be accountable as the Law then was for the Miscarriages and Irregularities of those that should be join'd with him in Commission Hereupon the People having agreed that the whole Power should be in him alone they voted him General with full and absolute Authority so that for the future he plainly acted the Part of a Monarch and manag'd the Affairs of the whole City The Syracusians as yet * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Without Hernts Tame and Quiet some curb'd by Fear and others kept down by Force durst not discover as a thing vain and to no purpose the Heart-burnings that were among them But many of the Poorer sort and those that were in Debt were much pleas'd with Ant. Ch. 315. this Revolution For Agathocles had promis'd in the Senate that all former Debts should be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caus'd to be cut off remitted and made Void and that Lands should be allotted and shar'd out to the Poor After he had finish'd these things he order'd that none for the future should be kill'd or otherwise abus'd But on the contrary changing his former course he carry'd himself with a great deal of mildness towards the People encouraging many with Rewards and not a few with large Promises and courting all with smooth words he no little winded himself into the favour and good Opinion of the People And though he was advanc'd to so high a pitch of Honour yet he put not on a Diadem nor suffer'd the Attendance of a Life-Guard nor admitted any difficulty of access to his Person which is the common practice almost of all Tyrants But he made it his business chiefly to look after the Publick Revenue and the making and providing all sorts of Weapons and Arms He built likewise other long Ships to encrease and strengthen his Fleet And lastly brought many of the Cities and Towns in the Heart of the Country to stoop to his Authority And thus then stood the Affairs of Sicily In Italy this was the Ninth year of the War of the Romans with the Samnites before The Affairs of Italy which time there had been very sharp Battels and Engagements between them but then except some Incursions into the Enemies Country there was little or nothing done worth taking notice of only some Forts were taken and the Country harrass'd But in Apulia * The Romans Ant. Ch. 315. they wasted and spoil'd all ** Now Capitania in the Kingdom of Naples Daunia and having conquer'd the †Canutii in France now callâ—d Chartres Canutii receiv'd of them Hostages There were added likewise two other Tribes to the former the one of Falernia and the other of Ufentina While these things were acting the Crotonians made Peace with the Brutians but the War being continuâ—d another year with the Exiles who were expell'd by the People for their conspiring with Heraclides and Sosistratus of which we have given a particular Account in the * No such Account appears there P. 676. former Book they created Parones and Menedemus their Generals In the mean time the Exiles went to Thurium and there listed Three hundred Mercenaries and endeavour'd in the Night to have broke into the City But being repuls'd by the Crotonians they Encamp'd in the Confines of the Brutians but within a short time after they were every Man cut off by a much stronger Party who sallied out of the City against them And now having given an account how things went in Sicily and Italy we shall pass to the things done in other Parts of Europe Eurydice being Queen-Regent in Macedonia as soon as she heard that Olympias was preparing for her return sent an Express to Cassander then in Peloponnesus wishing him to Affairs in Macedonia hasten to her Aid and Assistance and in the mean time by her Bribes and Promises she brought over the most active and stirring Men among the Macedonians to favour her in her designs But Polysperchon got an Army together and being join'd with Aeacides of Epirus he brought back Olympias with * His Name was Alexander the Son of Roxana Ant. Ch. 315. Olympias returns into Macedonia Alexander's Son into the Kingdom And hearing that Eurydice was at Evia in Macedonia with an Army aiming to make an end of all by one Battel he makes swiftly after and presently as soon as the Armies Encamp'd one over against the other on a sudden the Macedonians in reverence to Olympias and calling to mind the many Advantages and Kindnesses they had receiv'd at the hands of Alexander turn'd about whereupon King * Aridaeus call'd Philip. Philip with all his Servants were presently taken †Euridice the Wife of Philip. Eurydice likewise together with Polycles one of her Counsellors were afterwards taken being before return'd to Amphipolis Olympias having thus gain'd the custody of both the Kings and likewise the Kingdom without Blood us'd not her good Fortune with that Humanity as she ought to have done But at the very first imprisoning both Eurydice and Philip her Husband she us'd them very cruelly For she coop'd them both up in a very straight and narrow Place where through a little narrow Hole every thing for their necessary use was deliver'd in to them And for many days together she thus against all Law and Conscience exercis'd her Rage and Revenge upon these miserable Princes But when she perceiv'd that the Macedonians spoke ill of her out of Pity and Commiseration She cruelly Murders Euridice and Arrideus her Husband Ant. Ch. 315. towards those that were thus miserably dealt with she deliver'd Philip to certain Thracians after he had reign'd Six Years and Four Months to be stabb'd with Ponyards But Eurydice she order'd to be more severely dealt with because she was to free of her Tongue that she was still blabbing it out that she was fitter to rule the Kingdom than Olympias And therefore she sent to her a Sword a Rope and a Cup of Poison bidding her chuse which she would to dispatch her self with neither valuing the former State and Dignity of the Injur'd Lady nor commiserating the common lot of Mankind And therefore she came at length to experience the same turns of Fortune her self and came to an end every way worthy her Cruelty For Eurydice in the presence of the Person that brought her the Instruments of her Death pray'd the Gods that she might have the like Present sent to her and then having bound up the Wounds of her Husband as well as the shortness of time would permit she wrapp'd him up and so
Trumpets sounded a Charge and the whole Army set up a shout for the Onset The Elephants in the first place fought one with another then the Horse Charg'd on both sides The Field was very Large Sandy and Waste so that so much Dust was rais'd by the Trampling of the Horses as that a Man could not see what was done though but at a small distance from him Which Antigonus observing sent forthwith away some Median Horse and a Body of Tarentines to set upon the Baggage of the Enemy For he hop'd by reason of the Dust that was rais'd as the thing in truth prov'd that they would not be discern'd and that if he got possession of the Carriages he should easily bring the whole Army into his power Hereupon those that were sent forth secretly slipping by the Enemies Wing set upon the Pages * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Drudges Scullion Boys and others that were with the Baggage and about five Furlongs distant from the Place of Battel There they found a Multitude of Useless and Unserviceable Rabble and a very small Guard in the Place so that they were presently put to flight and the rest all fell into Eumenes his Carriages taken the Enemies hands In the mean time Antigonus charging the Enemy with a strong Body of Horse so terrify'd Peucestes Governor of Persia that he with his Horse got out of the Dust and drew Fifteen hundred more after him But Eumenes though he was left Ant. Ch. 314. but with a very few in the out Skirts of the Wing where he was yet counted it base to flag or fly judging it more honourable to be Faithful to his word in the Quarrel of the Kings and to die in an honest and just Cause with Resolution made a fierce Charge upon Antigonus so that now there was a sharp Dispute between the Horse where the Eumeneans excell'd the other in Heat and Resolution but the Antigontans them in Num. and Multitude and many fell on both sides At which time the Elephants fighting one with another the Leader on Eumenes his side engaging with one of the Stoutest of the other was there slain Hereupon Eumenes perceiving his Horse to be worsted on P. 694. every hand withdrew with the rest of the Horse out of the Fight and pass'd over to the other Wing and join'd himself to those with Philip whom he had order'd to make a leisurely Retreat And thus ended the Engagement between the Horse But as to the Foot the Argyraspides or Silver Shields in a full Body flew with that Violence upon the Enemy that some they kill'd upon the spot and they rest they put to flight For they were not to be withstood who though they engag'd with the Enemy's Ant. Ch. 314 main Battel yet they signaliz'd both their Valour and Dexterity to that degree that they kill'd above Five thousand without the loss of one Man and put the whole Nota. Foot to flight though they were far more in number than themselves When Eumenes understood that all the Carriages were taken and that Peucestes was not far off with the Horse he endeavour'd to get all to rally in a Body together again and to try their Fortune in a second Engagement with Antigonus For he concluded if he prevail'd he should not only recover his own Carriages but likewise possess himself of the Enemy's But Peucestes would not hear of fighting any more but got further off so that Eumenes was forc'd to yield the Day Then Antigonus dividing his Horse into two Bodies he himself with one sought how to intrap Eumenes observing which way he made the other he delivered to Pitho with Orders to fall upon the Argyraspides who then were forsaken by their Horse who forthwith setting upon them as he was commanded the Macedonians drew up in form of a Square and got safe to the River exclaiming against Peucestes as the Cause of the routing of the Horse When Eumenes came up to them in the Evening they consulted together what was then fittest to be done The Governors of the Provinces were for returning with all speed into the Higher Provinces but Eumenes was for staying where they were and fighting and in regard the Enemies main Battel was broken and cut off and that they were then equal in Horse on both sides But the Macedonians seeing that they had lost their Carriages Wives and Children and whatever was dear to them declar'd they would neither do the one or the other And so at that time without agreeing in any thing they parted But afterwards the Macedonians secretly corresponding with Antigonus Eumenes baseâ—ly deliver'd up by his own Men. seiz'd upon Eumenes and deliver'd him up into his Hands And having receiv'd their Carriages and Faith taken for security they all march'd away together Whose Example the Governors of the Provinces and most of the other Captains and Soldiers follow'd forsaking their General chiefly consulting their own Safety and Preservation Antigonus having thus strangely and unexpectedly possess'd himself both of Eumenes and his whole Army seiz'd upon Antigenes Captain of the Argyraspides and put him alive into a Coffin and burnt him to Ashes He put to death likewise Eudamus who brought the Elephants out of India and Celbanus and some others Who upon all occasions appear'd against him But for Eumenes he put him in Prison and took time to consider how to dispose of him For he had in truth an earnest desire to have gain'd so good a General to his own Interest and to have oblig'd him upon that account but because of the great Kindness and strict Correspondency which pass'd between him and Olympias and the Kings he Ant. Ch. 314. durst not absolutely rely upon him for but a while before though he had deliver'd him out of the straits he was in at Nora in Phrygia yet he presently upon it fell in and sided with the Kings and therefore upon the pressing Importunity of the Macedonians he put him to Death But in respect of his former Familiarity with him he caus'd his Body to be burnt and his Bones to be put into an Urn and deliver'd to his nearest Friends Amongst those that were Wounded and Prisoners was Hieronymus of Cardia Historiographer P. 695. who having been ever in great Esteem with Eumenes during his Life after his Death found great Favour also with Antigonus Antigonus returning into Media with his whole Army spent the rest of the Winter in a Town not far from Ecbatane where stood the Palace-Royal of that Province He distributed The dreadful Earthquake in the Kingdom of Rhages Strabo Jays Two thousand Towns and Cities his Army here and there all over that Province and especially in the Country of Rhages so call'd from the Calamities it had miserably suffer'd in former times For being heretofore full of Rich and populous Cities there hapned such terrible Earthquakes in those Parts that both Cities and Inhabitants were swallow'd up altogether not
Noses of them which not a little troubled the Minds of his new Associates and those that join'd with him in the carrying on of the Work For it was very apparent that the Enemy now being Master at Sea would be sure to waste and spoil those who out of kindness to Antigonus had join'd with their Adversaries But Antigonus bid them be of good chear for before the end of Summer he said he would be at Sea with a Fleet of Five hundred Sail. Agesilaus in the mean while return'd with his Embassy out of Cyprus and brought word that Nicocreon and the most potent Kings of that Island had already confederated Ant. Ch. 313. with Ptolemy Nevertheless that Citticus Lapitbius Marius and Cyrenites would join with him Whereupon he left Three thousand Men under the Command of Andronicus to maintain the Siege against Tyre and he himself march'd with the rest of the Army against Antigonus be sieges Tyre Gaza and Joppe which stood out against him and took them by force and such of Ptolemy's Men as he found there he took and distributed them among his own Regiments and plac'd Garisons in both those Cities to keep them in Obedience Which done he return'd to his standing Camp about Tyre and prepar'd all necessaries for a Siege against it At the same time Aristo who was intrusted by Eumenes to carry Craterus his Bones delivered them to Phila to be buried who was marry'd first to Craterus and at that time to Demetrius the Son of Antigonus who was a Woman of excellent Parts and Prudence for by her prudent Behaviour and Carriage towards every Soldier in the Army she was able The Praise of Phila the Wife of Demetrius to qualify and moderate those that were most Turbulent and she put forth the Daughters and Sisters of those that were Poor at her own Charge and prevented the Ruine of many that were falsly accus'd It s reported that Antipater her Father who was the most prudent Prince that Govern'd in this Age was us'd to consult with Phila his Daughter in the most weighty Affairs while she was but yet a Girl But the Prudence of this Woman will more fully appear in the following Narration and when things tended Ant. Ch. 313. to a Revolution and the fatal Period of Demetrius his Kingdom And thus stood the Affairs of Antigonus and Phila at this time Amongst the Captains sent away by Antigonus Aristodemus pass'd over to Laconia and having got leave of the Spartans to raise Soldiers got together Eight thousand out of Peloponnesus Aristodemus raises Forces for Antigonus in Peloponnesus and upon Conference with Polysperchon and Alexander join'd them both in a firm League of Amity with Antigonus and made Polysperchon General over the Forces in Peloponnesus but prevail'd with Alexander to pass over into Asia to Antigonus Ptolomeus another of his Captains going into Cappadocia with an Army and there Ptolomey a Captain of Antigonus raises the Siege of Amisus in Cappadocia finding the City of Amisus besieg'd by Asclepidorus a Captain of Cassander's rais'd the Siege and secur'd the Place and so having sent away Asclepidorus packing upon certain Conditions recover'd that whole Province to Antigonus and marching thence through Bithynia came upon the back of Zibytes King of the Bithynians whilst he was busie in besieging of two Cities at once that of the Assarenians and the other of the Calcedonians and forc'd him to raise his Siege from both and then falling to Capitulations both with him and the Cities that were besieg'd after Hostages receiv'd remov'd thence Ant. Ch. 313. towards Ionia and Lydia for that Antigonus had written to him to secure that Coast with Two other Cities raised by him in Bithynia P. 704. all possible speed having intelligence that Seleucus was going into those Parts with his Fleet whither indeed he came and besieg'd Erythras But hearing of the Enemies approach left it and went away as he came Mean while Alexander the Son of Polysperchon came to Antigonus who made a League with him and then calling a general Antigonus his Policy Council of the Army and the Strangers there resident declar'd unto them how Cassander had murder'd Olympias and how villainously he had dealt with Roxana and the young King and that he had forc'd Thessalonices to marry him and that it was very clear and evident that he aspir'd to the Kingdom of Macedonia Moreover that he had planted the Olynthians the most bitter Enemies of the Macedonians in the City call'd after his own Name That he had rebuilt Thebes that was raz'd by the Macedonians Having thus incens'd the Army he made and wrote an Edict That Cassander should be taken as an open Enemy unless he raz'd the two Cities releas'd the King and Roxana his Mother and return'd them safe to the Macedonians And lastly Unless he submitted to Antigonus as General and sole Protector of the Kingdom and free all the Greek Cities and withdraw all the Garisons out of them When the Army had approv'd of this Edict by their Suffrages he sent Courriers away to publish it in all places For he hop'd that by this Means all the Grecians in expectation of having their Liberties restor'd would be his Consederates and readily assist him in the War and that all the Governors of the Higher Provinces who before suspected him as if he design'd to deprive the Posterity of Alexander of the Kingdom now that Ant. Ch. 313. it clearly appear'd that he took up Arms in their behalf would observe all his Commands of their own accord Having dispatch'd all these Matters he sent back Alexander with Five hundred Talents into Peloponnesus with his hopes rais'd in expectation of mighty Matters And he himself with Shipping had from Rhodes and others he had lately built set sail for Tyre where being now Master at Sea he so block'd it up for thirteen Months together that no supply of Victuals could be brought thither and thereby reduc'd the Inhabitants into so Tyre deliver'd to Antigonus great distress that at length upon suffering the Soldiers to march away with some small things that were their own the City was surrender'd to him upon Terms and he plac'd a Garison in it for its Defence In the mean time Ptolemy hearing what a Declaration Antigonus with the Macedonians had made concerning the Liberty of the Grecians made the like himself as desirous that Prolemy proclaims Liberty to the Grecians all the World should take notice that he was no less zealous for the Liberty of Greece than Antigonus was For both of them well considering of how great moment it was to their Affairs to gain the good Will of the Grecians strove one with another which should oblige them most by Acts of Grace Then he join'd to his Party the Governor of Caria who was a Man of great Power and had many great Cities under his Command And thô he had before sent Three thousand Soldiers to
and that the Enemy was surrounding them at their backs they were forc'd likewise to give way and be gone The whole Carthaginian Army being thus put to flight the Barbarians made toward Carthage whom Agathocles pursu'd but a little way and then return'd and took the Pillage of the field In this Battle were slain Two hundred Grecians and not above a Thousand Carthaginians though some have written above Six Thousand Amongst other rich spoiles there were found many Chariots in the Carthaginians Camp in which were carri'd above Twenty thousand pair of Fetters and Manacles For concluding that they would easily overcome the Greeks they agreed together to take as many Prisoners as they could and threw them into the Dungeons setter'd hand and foot but God I conceive purposely sets himself by meer contrary Events to cross the expectations of such who proudly before hand resolve what shall absolutely be done Agathocles having now Routed the Carthaginians both beyond their and even his own expectation blockt them up within their Walls and thus we see Fortune whose common Course it is to make Chequer-work of good and bad success of Routs and Victories in their several turns now humbled the Conquerors as well as those that were before conquered For the Carthaginians after they had beaten Agathocles in Sicily in a great Battle besieg'd Syracuse and now Agathocles having Routed them in Africa Besieges Carthage And that which was most to be admir'd was that this Prince was beaten by the Ant. Ch. 308. Barbarians in the Island when all his Forces were with him whole and intire but now is Victorious in the Continent over the Conquerors with a piece of a broken and shatter'd Army The Carthaginians therefore concluding that this miserable misfortune was brought upon them by the Gods they all betook themselves to Prayers and Supplications to the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All sorts of Prayers Deity especially thinking that Hercules the Tutelar god of their Country was angry at them they sent a vast sum of Mony and many other rich Gifts to Tyre For in as much as they were a Colony which came out from them they us'd in former Ages to send the Tenth part of all their Revenues as an Offering to that God But after that they grew wealthy and their Revenues very great they began to flack in in their Devotion and sent thither but a small pittance to their God Being therefore brought to repentance by this remarkable Slaughter they remembred all the Gods in Tyre they sent likewise out of their Temples to the Images of Golden Shrines in order to Supplications supposing they should prevail the more in averting the Anger of the God by sending sacred gifts to pacifie him They gave just cause likewise to their God Saturn to be their Enemy for that in former times they us'd to sacrifice to this god the sons of the most eminent persons but of later times they secretly bought and bred up Children for that purpose And upon strict search made there were found amongst them that were to be sacrific'd some Children that were chang'd and put in the place and room of others Weighing these things in their Minds and now seeing that the Enemy lay before their Walls they were seiz'd with such a pang of Superstition as if they had utterly forsaken the Religion of their Ant. Ch. 308. P. 740. Fathers That they might therefore without delay reform what what was amiss they offer'd as a publick sacrifice Two hundred of the Sons of the Nobility and no fewer than Three hundred more that were liable to censure voluntarily offered up themselves Cruel Superstition for among the Carthaginians there was a Brazen Statue of Saturn putting forth the Palms of his Hands so bending towards the Earth as that the Boy that was laid upon them in order to be sacrific'd should slip off and so fall down headlong into a deep fiery Furnace Hence it 's probable that Euripides took what he fabulously relates concerning the sacrifice in Taurus where he introduces Iphigenia asking Orestes this Question 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But what Sepulchre will me dead receive Shall th' Gulf of Sacred Fire then me have The ancient Fable likewise that is common among the Grecians that Saturn devour'd his own Children seems to be confirm'd by this Law among the Carthaginians But after this change of affairs in Africa the Carthaginians sent to Amilcar into Sicily The actions at Syracuse to hasten over to their assistance with all speed and order'd that all the Beaks of Agathocles his Ships should be carri'd to him When the Messengers arriv'd he commanded them not to say any thing of the Routing of their Forces but to noise it abroad among the Soldiers that Agathocles his Fleet and Land Army were both utterly destroy'd And he himself sent away some that were newly come from Carthage to Syracuse together Ant. Ch. 308. with the Iron Beaks to demand the delivery up of the City and to tell them that all their Forces were cut off by the Carthaginians and their whole Navy burnt and that if they would not believe them the Beaks of their Vessels there shew'd were a sufficient evidence of the truth of what they related when they that were in the City heard of this overthrow of Agathocles many believ'd it But the leading men of the City minding to keep private a matter that was yet uncertain and to prevent Tumults forthwith dismist the Messengers and sent them away They cast out of the City likewise the Kindred and friends of the Exiles and Eight thousand at least of others that seem'd to be uneasie under the Government whereupon when so great a Number on a suddain were forc'd to leave the place of their Birth the City was full of Confusion Lamentation and crying of Women running up and down in the Streets neither was there any House at this time that had not its share of weeping and mourning For they who favour'd the Tyrant bewail'd the Ruin of Agathocles and the loss of their Sons others wept for those of their friends who they suppos'd were all cut off in Africa others griev'd and mourn'd for them that were compell'd to forsake their Houses and the Gods of their Fore-fathers and who were neither suffer'd to stay nor could get well out of the City by reason of the Siege And besides these most grievous and bitter sufferings which they labour'd under they were forc't to fly with their Wives and drag along with them their little young Children But Amilcar courteously receiv'd and secur'd the Exiles and march'd to Syracuse with his Army as if he should forthwith possess himself of the City Ant. Ch. 380. upon the account of the place being destitute of Inhabitants and the misery those were in as he heard who were left behind However he sent Messengers before and promis'd pardon to Antandrus and all those that sided with him if he
would deliver up the City into his hands Upon which there was a Council of War call'd of those Captains that were in the greatest Authority where after many bandings and debates pro and con Antander who was naturally a poor spirited Man and of a weak head and much below the courage and resolution of his Brother was for delivering up of the Town But Eurymnon the Etolian whom Agathocles had left to assist his Brother in Advice and Counsel was of another Opinion and prevail'd with them all to hold out till they had certain Intelligence of the Truth Whereupon Amilcar coming to understand the resolution of the Townsmen prepar'd all his Engines with a full Resolution to batter down the Walls Agathocles after the late Battel built two Ships of Thirty Oares a piece and in one of them put on board the best of his Rowers with Nearchus one of the most faithful Friends he then had with him and sent them away to Syracuse to give an account of his P. 741. Victory Having therefore the Wind fair the Fifth day in the Night they arriv'd in the Harbour of Syracuse and at break of Day Crown'd with Garlands and singing the * Pean a Song of Praise to Apollo for the Victory Pean all along as they sail'd they made for the City which being perceived by the Carthaginian Guard-Ships they pursu'd them with all their might and the other being not far before them there was great striving among the Rowers on both sides While the Sea-men were thus contending both Besiegers and Besieg'd understanding the Matter ran down to the Port and each fearful of the event call'd out and encourag'd every one their own Men. And now the Ship was upon the point of falling into the hands of the Pursuers upon which the Barbarians gave a shout but the Citizens not being able otherwise to assist pray'd to their Gods for the Preservation of their Men on board The Pursuers being now ready to board her not far from Land she got within a Darts cast of the Shore and by the help of the Syracusians who came in to her relief narrowly escap'd the Danger Amilcar perceiving that the Citizens upon the account of the late Contest and the sudden arrival of the Intelligence expected were all flock'd down to the Port and thereupon conceiving part of the Walls were left Naked order'd the stoutest of his Soldiers to rear up Scaling-Ladders who finding there no Guards mounted the Walls without being discern'd and had almost possess'd themselves of an entire Part lying between two Towers when they that us'd to go the Round came just then to the Place and so discover'd them Upon which they fell to it and the Citizens came flocking in before any Relief could be brought to the Assailants so that some were kill'd outright and others were thrown down Headlong over the Walls At which Amilcar was so mortify'd that he drew off his Forces from the City and sent away Five thousand Men to the Relief of Carthage While these things were in action in Sicily Agathocles being now Master of the Field Ant. Ch. 308. Acts of Agathocles in Africa took some Forts and Castles near to Carthage by Storm and other Cities some out Fear and some through hatred of the Carthaginians voluntarily surrender'd themselves Having fortify'd his Camp near Tunis he left there a sufficient Guard and mov'd towards the Towns lying upon the Sea-Coasts And first he took by Storm the New City but dealt very favourably with the Inhabitants Thence he march'd to Adrymetes and besieg'd it and Confederated with Elymas King of Lybia News whereof being brought to the Carthaginians they bent all their Arms against Tunis and possessed themselves of Agathocles his Camp and with their Battering Rams press'd upon the City with continual Assaults Agathocles receiving Intelligence of the slaughter of his Men leaving the greatest part of his Army to carry on the Siege and taking with him his Life-guard and a small Body of Men secretly march'd up to the Top of a Mountain whence he might view both the Country of the Adrymetines and likewise the Carthaginians that besieg'd Tunis In the Night he commanded his Soldiers to kindle Fires and with them to take up a large Tract of Ground to the end the Carthaginians might think he was making towards them with a strong Army and that the Besieg'd might conclude that fresh Forces in vast numbers were come up to him for his Assistance both being deceiv'd by this Stratagem were suddenly caught in the Snare for they who besieg'd Tunis fled and left their Engines behind them and the Adrymetines surpriz'd with Fear surrender'd the City which was gain'd upon certain Ant. Ch. 308 Terms agreed upon but Thapsus he afterwards took by Storm And several other Cities he took in this Tract some by Force and others upon Conditions Having at length gain'd in the whole above Two hundred Towns and Cities he resolv'd upon an Expedition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the Higher Libya To that end he rais'd his Camp and march'd on many days Journey Then the Carthaginians march'd out with those Forces besides others which were sent out of Sicily and besieg'd Tunis a second time and recover'd a great part of the Country that was then in the Hands of the Enemy When Couriers came from Tunis and gave an account what the Carthaginians had done Agathocles forthwith return'd Being come within Two hundred Furlongs of the Enemy he Encamp'd and commanded his Soldiers not to kindle any Fires Then making a sudden March in the Night about spring of Day he fell upon those as were Wasting and Harrassing the Country and disorderly roving up and down and kill'd above Two thousand of them and took many Prisoners which was a great Step to his many Successes afterwards For the Carthaginians being reinforc'd by their Aids from Sicily and strengthned by their Confederates in Africa thought they had been too strong for Agathocles But after this Misfortune the Hearts of the Barbarians were quite down for he had overcome Elymas the King of Libya who had deserted him and kill'd likewise the General with a great number of the Barbarians And thus stood Affairs in Ant. Ch. 308. Sicily and Africa at this time In Macedonia Cassander came in to the Assistance of Autoleontes King of the †Peonia is a part of Macedonia Peonians Acts of Cassander in Macedonia who was then in War with the Autariats and rescu'd him out of the Streights and Dangers he was in at that time and transplanted the Autariats together with their Wives and Children that were then with them to the Number of Twenty thousand and plac'd them near the Mountain ** Orbelus a Mountain in Macedonâ—s Orbitaus While he was thus employ'd Ptolemy Antigonus his General in Peloponnesus who was * Autariats a People of Dalmatia intrusted by him with an Army in these Parts took a Pique against Antigonus thinking he was not rewarded
Alarms and vain and needless Fears which often occasions great Mischief and Prejudice And at that time the Passes being strait and rough the Drivers of the Carriages and other Servants and Attendants of the Army that were not of any Ant. Ch. 307. form'd Companies quarrell'd one with another for the Way and not being able to move forward by reason of the Throng some fell to down-right Blows so that many on each side coming in to help their several Parties a great Tumult Noise and Clamour ran through the whole Army Upon which the Syracusians who were posted at Euryclus understanding the approach of the Barbarians by their tumultuous March and having the higher Ground fell in upon the Enemy Some from the high Places where they were posted gall'd them as they came on with their Darts and Arrows and some prevented them by gaining the necessary Passes and so block'd up their Way Others drave those that fled Headlong down the Rocks for by reason of the Darkness of the Night and want of Intelligence they thought the Enemy was coming upon them with a mighty Army so that the Carthaginians by reason of the Disturbance and Tumult amongst their own Men * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Ignorance of the Ways and straitness of the Passages were at a stand and confounded and at last fled outright And because there was no room to give way great numbers of them were trodden under Foot by their own Horse and part of the Army fought one with another as if they had been Enemies led into the Error by the Darkness of the Night Amilcar indeed at the first receiv'd the Enemy's Charge with great Resolution and call'd out to the Colonels and Commanders to stand to it and valiantly bear the Brunt with the rest But afterwards being deserted by his Soldiers through the Consternation that was amongst them having much ado to save his Life * For that some made away even upon the appearance of the Enemy especially being penn'd up and in amaze through their Ignorance of the Places he fell into the hands of the Syracusians Here a Man may justly observe the Inconstancy of Fortune and the surprizing Events Men are overtaken with contrary to what they expected For Agathocles not inferiour to any for Valour and who had the Command of a great Army in the Battel at Himera was not only beaten by the Barbarians but lost the best and greatest part of his Army But those that were left and penn'd up within the Walls of Syracuse with a small handful of Men that had been before beaten not only routed the Army of the Carthaginians by whom they were besieg'd but took Amilcar the General one of the noblest of the Citizens of Carthage Prisoner And that most to be admir'd is that a small Body of Men by an Ambuscado and the Advantage of the Place should utterly rout Ant. Ch. 307. an Army of an Hundred and twenty thousand Foot and Five thousand Horse So that it 's very true what 's in every Body's Mouth Many things are vain and to no purpose in P. 748. War After this Flight the Carthaginians scatter'd and dispers'd far one from another scarce got together the next day But the Syracusians returning to the City with much Spoil deliver'd Amilcar to them that were resolv'd to revenge themselves of him They remembred what was foretold by the Augur That he should Sup in Syracuse the next day the Truth of which the Deity now confirm'd by the Event The Kindred therefore of them that were slain led Amilcar bound through all Parts of the City and after they had most horridly tormented him kill'd him with the greatest Scorn and Contempt imaginable Then the principal Men of the City sent his Head to Agathocles with an Express Amilcar Head sent 〈◊〉 Africa to give him an Account of the late Victory But the Army of the Carthaginians after their Defeat though they came to understand what was the Cause of such great Calamities and Misfortunes yet were scarce after all Ant. C 〈…〉 freed from their Fears And because they wanted a General Quarrels arose between the Barbarians and the Grecians The Exiles therefore and the rest of the Greeks made Dinocrates General over themselves And the Carthaginians intrusted the supream Command with those that were next in Dignity to the late General At this time when the Agrigentines The Agrigentines seek to Command Sicily perceiv'd that Sicily was now in that Condition as that it might be easily gain'd they began to seek after the Sovereign Command of the Island themselves For they suppos'd that the Carthaginians were not able to deal with Agathocles in the War and that Dinocrates who had none but a company of Fugitives about him might be easily vanquish'd and that the Syracusians who were grievously press'd for want of Provisions would not so much as attempt to gain the Sovereign Command And lastly that which was of greatest weight was That inasmuch as they took up Arms to free all the Greek Cities they concluded that all would readily concur both upon the account of the Hatred they bore against the Barbarians and the Natural Love and Regard they all had to the Laws of their own Country They created therefore Xenodicus General and sent him forth to the War with a considerable Army who forthwith makes to Gela and by some of his own Friends was in the Night let into the City and so gain'd both the Town more Forces and a great deal of Money at one and the same time The Geloans having thus 〈◊〉 Ch. 307. recover'd their Liberty join'd in the War with the whole Strength and Power of the City and most readily put to their helping Hands for the restoring all the Cities to their ancient Laws This Attempt of the Agrigentines being nois'd abroad throughout the whole Island a sudden itch of Liberty spread over all the Cities And first the Enneans sent Agents and deliver'd up their City to the Agrigentines who freeing this City march'd on to Erbessus a Garison of the Carthaginians Here was a sharp Engagement but the Citizens coming in to the Assistance of the Agrigentines the Garison was expuls'd and many of the Barbarians kill'd and Five hundred laid down their Arms and gave up themselves While the Agrigentines were busi'd in these Affairs some of Agathocles his Soldiers in Syracuse having taken Echetla wasted and harrass'd the Country of the Leontines and Camareans This Calamity grievously afflicted the Cities because the Country was laid wast and all the Corn and Fruits destroy'd Whereupon Xenodicus the General march'd into those Parts and drave the Enemy out of the Country of the Leontines and Camarenians and then retaking Echetla which was a very strong Fort he restor'd the Democratical Government to the City and struck a Terror into the Syracusians To conclude he march'd up and down to the several Garisons and Cities and freed them from the Carthaginian Government
Postpones the true pleasure of the thing at too great a distance from the first Relation Bomilcar therefore picking out a select number of Men in the * Neopo 〈…〉 New City as it 's call'd not far distant from the Old Carthage dismist all the rest then having call'd togther Five hundred of the Citizens who were * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 privy to his Design and about a Thousand Mercenary Soldiers he declar'd himself sole Monarch of the Carthaginians Then he divided his Troops into Five Bodies and set upon the City killing all that he met in the High-ways upon which an incredible Terror and Amazement possest the whole City At first the Carthaginians suspected that the Town was betray'd and that the Enemy had broke in by that means But when the Truth was known the young Men Marshall'd themselves and made against the Tyrant who hasten'd into the Forum killing all he met in the Streets and slaughtering great numbers of naked and unarm'd Citizens But Ant. Ch. 306. the Carthaginians mounting the tops of the Houses that were round about 〈◊〉 Market-place cast down showers of Darts from thence so that the Conspirators the place being altogether expos'd to the Shot were gall'd most grievously Whereupon in a 〈◊〉 Body they forc'd their way through the narrow Passes and got into the New City being ply'd and wounded with Darts and Arrows all along as they came under the Houses Then possessing themselves of a Hill the whole City being now in Arms the Carthaginians drew up their Camp in the face of the Rebels At length they sent some P. 756. of the Ancientest and Gravest of their Citizens to them and remitted what was past and so all things were peaceably compos'd Towards all the rest indeed they perform'd their Articles and because of the Cloud that hung over the City pass'd by the Crimes committed but without any regard had to their Oaths they most ignominiously tormented Bomilcar and put him to death And thus the Carthaginians when their Common-wealth was near upon the point of expiring recover'd their Ancient Form of Government In the mean time Agathocles loaded all his Transport-Ships with Spoils and such of the Agathocles sends Spoils to Syracuse most lost in a Storm Cyreneans as he found not fit and serviceable for the War he put on board and sent them to Syracuse But a fierce Tempest overtook them in which some of the Ships were lost and others were cast upon the Pithecusian Islands bordering upon Italy so that very few arriv'd at Syracuse In Italy the Roman Consuls assisted the Marsilians who were sorely prest by the Samnites Affairs of Italy and were Conquerors killing great numbers of the Enemy upon the place Then they march'd through the Country of the Umbri and invaded Hetruria then in War with them and took a Castle call'd Caprium by Storm But the Inhabitants sending their Ambassadors to Treat upon Terms of Peace they made Peace with the Tarquinians for Forty Years But with the rest of the Hetrurians only for one Year CHAP. III. Demetrius frees all the Grecian Cities takes the Pireum at Athens Demetrius Phalerius flies to Ptolemy Honours given to Demetrius in Athens He sails to Cyprus his Acts there Besieges Salamis His great Engines Ptolemy sails to Cyprus Sea Fight between Ptolemy and Demetrius wherein Ptolemy is routed Antigonus takes the Title of King and the like do several other Captains Agathocles his Acts at Utica in Africk Ty'd pris'ners to a great Engine The sorts of People in Africa Xenodocus routed in Sicily by Agathocles his Captains Agathocles his Acts in Sicily What was done by Archagathus in Africa Maschala inhabited by some Greeks that came from Troy Apes their Custom among the Pithecusce The Carthaginians draw out Thirty thousand Men out of Carthage Misfortunes to Agathocles his Captains in Africa The Army block'd up and almost starv'd Agathocles beats the Carthaginians at Sea near Syracuse His Captain Leptines harasses the Agrigentines Agathocles Feasts the Syracusians His jocund Temper His Cruelty Routed in Africa Carthaginian Camp burnt The misfortune afterward to both Armies by one Cause Agathocles in Chains by his own Men. Steals out of Africa The Soldiers kill his Two Sons They make Peace with the Carthaginians Agathocles his exceeding Cruelty at Aegista and afterwards at Syracuse AT the end of the Year Anaxicrates was Created Chief Governor of Athens and Olymp. 118. 2. Ant. Ch. 305. Appius Claudius and Lucius Volutius Consuls at Rome At this time Demetrius the Son of Antigonus being furnish'd with Two strong Armies one by Land and the other by Sea and provided of Weapons and all other necessaries for the War set forth from Ephesus with full Orders and Instructions to set all the Grecian Cities at liberty and in the first place to free Athens that was then held by a Garison of Cassander's To this purpose he arriv'd at the Pireum with his Fleet and upon his first arrival caus'd the Edict to Demetrius set all the Cities in Greece free be proclaim'd and then assaulted the Pyreum on every side But Dionysius the Governor of the Fort Mynichia and Demetrius Phalerius whom Cassander had made President of the City with a strong Body of Men beat off the Enemy from the Walls But some of Antigonus's Men forc'd their way near the Shoar and scal'd and got over the Walls whereupon many within came in to them as their Assistants and in this manner was the Pyrcum taken Dionysius the Governor fled into Mynichia and Demetrius Phalerius into the City The next day he with some others was sent by the City to Demetrius and after he had treated with him concerning the Liberty of the City and his own preservation Demetrius Phalerius flies into Aegypt he prevail'd so far as to be dismiss'd with a safe Conduct and so without any further Care or Concern for Athens he fled to Thebes and thence to Ptolemy into Egypt And thus he who had Govern'd the City for the space of Ten Years was in this manner thrust out of his Country The People of Athens being hereupon restor'd to their Liberty Ant. Ch. 305. decreed publick Honours to them that were the Authors of their Deliverance Demetrius forthwith brings up his Engines and Battering Rams and Besieges Munychia both P. 757. by Sea and Land But the Dionysians made a stout resistance and by the advantage and difficulty of the heighth of the places to be Assaulted beat off the Demetrians for Munychia is not only strong by Nature but by Art also defended by high Walls though Demetrius indeed far exceeded the other in number of Men and Warlike preparations At length after the Assault had continu'd for the space of Two Days together many of those within being wounded and kill'd by the Shot from the Engines so as that there were not Men enough left to defend the Place the Garison Soldiers began to Flag In the mean time
of the Cross And thus some suffer'd as Fortune order'd it by the hands of their near Relations and Friends Extremity and Necessity not allowing any Consideration of natural Relation Agathocles perceiving the Townsmen to defie all danger and throw off all Regard and Affection to their Countrymen begirt the City round and made a violent Assault upon a part of the Wall where it was weakest and there broke through into the City upon which some fled into their Houses and others into the Temples Agathocles being enrag'd fill'd all places with Blood and Slaughter Some were kill'd in heat of Fight others that were taken pris'ners were hang'd up afterwards and those that fled to the Temples and Altars were altogether frustrated of their hopes After he had rifl'd and plunder'd the Town he left a Garrison in it and march'd to the Cittadel call'd the Horse-Castle naturally defended by a Lough adjoyning to it But he took it by Storm after a close Siege and a sharp Fight with the Inhabitants upon the Water with his Gallies Thus having subu'd the Cities he brought most of the Sea Coasts and those that inhabited Ant. Ch. 305. in the heart of the Country under his own Power except the Numidians part of whom made Peace with him and the rest were in continual expectation to fight it out to the last Africa was at that time divided into four sorts of Inhabitants That is to say The Poeni Sorts of People in Africa who inhabited Carthage The Libyan Poeni who had many Cities upon the Tracts lying to the Sea Shoar who being conjoyn'd in Affinity by Marriages with the Carthaginians were call'd by this Name that imported the Denomination of both People The most Ancient Inhabitants and most numerous of all the rest were call'd Africans who hated the Carthaginians to the death by reason of the severity of their Government The last are the Numidians who hold a vast Tract of Lybia as far as to the very Desarts But Agathocles tho' he was now by the help of his Confederates and the Valour of his own Army Conqueror over the Carthaginians yet being much concern'd for the Affairs of Sicily he built some open Vessels and Skiffs row'd with Fifty Oars apiece and put on board Two thousand Soldiers and loos'd from Africa with his whole Fleet towards Sicily leaving his Son Archagathus Chief Commander and Governor of Lybia While these things were acting Xenodocus General of the Agrigentines having freed Xenodocus routed in Sicily Ant. Ch. 305. many of the Cities and rais'd the hopes of the Sicilians that they should all be restor'd to their Ancient Liberties throughout the whole Island led out his Forces against Agathocles his Captains having with him above Ten thousand Foot and almost a Thousand Horse Leptines and Demophilus on the other hand having got together as great an Army as possibly they could out of Syracuse and the neighbouring Garrisons encamp'd against him with Eight thousand and Two hundred Foot and Twelve hundred Horse At length there was a sharp Engagement between the two Armies in which Xenodocus was routed and lost Fifteen hundred of his Men and was forc'd to fly to Agrigentum The Agrigentines weaken'd by this loss left off their Honourable Design and frustrated the hopes wherewith they had fill'd the Hearts of the Confederates Presently after the Battle Agathocles landed at Selinunt in Sicily and shortly forc'd the Heracleots who had regain'd their Liberty to stoop again to his Government Thence marching into another part of the Island he brought under the Thermites whose City was held by a Carthaginian Garrison and receiv'd Hostages of them Then he took Cephaloedium and made Leptines P. 763. Governor Then marching up into the heart of the Country he attempted to have enter'd Centorippa in the night by the help of a Faction he had in the City But the Treachery being discover'd the Garrison Soldiers fell in upon him and drave him out of the Town with the loss of above Five hundred of his Men. After this some of the Apolloniats sent to him and promis'd to deliver up their City whereupon he forthwith made thither But the Traitors being apprehended and punished he made nothing of it the Ant. Ch. 305. first Day but the next after many hardships and the loss of many of his Men he at length with much ado gain'd the place and putting multitudes of the Apelloniats to the Sword he gave the Town up to the plunder of his Soldiers While Agathocles was thus imploy'd Dinocrates the Captain of the Exiles reviv'd the prosecution of the former design of the Agrigentines and declar'd himself Protector of the Common Liberty and got together great numbers who came flocking in to him from all parts Some out of a natural love of Liberty and others out of fear of Agathocles were at his Devotion Having Agathocles 〈◊〉 in Sicily therefore now an Army of Twenty thousand Foot and Fifteen hundred Horse who were all accustom'd to the hadships and toils of Exiles he took the Field and dar'd Agathocles to a Battel But Agathocles being much inferior in number made a running Fight of it but Dinocrates still pressing close at his heels often gain'd several advantages * without D 〈…〉 Archagathus in Africa without any difficulty From this time forward things began to go backwards with Agathocles not only in Sicily but also in Africa For Archagathus left General there after his Father was gone sent a part of the Army into the Upper Countries under the Command of Eumachus and at first was successful for Eumachus took the great City Tocas and subdu'd many of the neighbouring Numidians Then he took another Town Ant. Ch. 305. call'd Phellina and subdu'd the bordering Inhabitants call'd Asphodelodians who are as black as the Aethiopians He gain'd likewise Maschala an exceeding large City anciently inhabited by the Greeks that planted there in their return from Troy as we have before related in the Third Book Afterwards he brought under the Citadel call'd the Troy Horse-Castle formerly taken by Agathocles The last Town he gain'd was Acris a Free City the Plunder of which he gave to his Soldiers and sold the Inhabitants for Slaves and so loaden with spoil return'd to Archagathus to the Camp His Name being now up for a brave and valiant Man he undertook another Expedition into the Higher Africa and passing by the places he had before lately taken he inconsiderately broke into the City call'd Mittines But the Barbarians coming upon him in a full Body in the Streets they so far prevail'd that unexpectedly they drave him out of the Town again with the loss of a great number of his Men. Thence he march'd away over an high Mountain Two hundred Furlongs in length full of Wild Cats there no kind of Birds bred either in Trees Holes or elsewhere because of the greedy nature of these Beasts Having pass'd over these Mountains he enter'd into a Country abounding
have had them confirm'd yet the Ambition of Dinocrates rejected them for he affected an absolute Monarchy and therefore Ant. Ch 304. Dinocrates stâ—nds of from A 〈…〉 nt with Agathocles hated the Syracusian Democracy and was better pleas'd with the Command as General of the Army which he then enjoy'd For he had at that time under his Command above Twenty thousand Foot and Three thousand Horse and many of the largest and chiefest Cities so that though he was call'd only General of the Exiles yet in truth he had the Majesty and Authority of a King the chief and absolute Power of every thing being in his hands for if he return'd to Syracuse he concluded he must of necessity be no more than a private Man and be reputed but one of the many for Liberty loves Equality and subject to be undermin'd and degraded by the suffrage of every Demagogue in the publick Assemblies for the common People are ever Enemies to those that are rising Men and speak their Minds most freely And therefore a Man may justly say that Agathocles voluntarily Lower'd his Sails and that Dinocrates was the only cause of what ever Good was done by this Prince at any time afterwards For Agathecles often sent Agents to him to Sollicite and Treat about the Conditions of Peace still insisting upon having the Two Castles for his Subsistence and he as often contriv'd some specious pretence or another to dash and break all in pieces sometimes requiring that he should depart wholly out of Sicily and at others that he should give up his Children as Hostages Agathocles therefore smelling out his Design sent Agents to the Exiles to accuse Dinocrates of the Project he was carrying on to obstruct the Restitution of their ancient Liberties Ant. Ch. 304. He sent likewise an Ambassador to the Carthaginians and made Peace with them upon the following Conditions viz. That all the Cities the Carthaginians formerly enjoy'd should be forthwith surrender'd to them For which he receiv'd of the Carthaginians Three P. 774. hundred Talents of Gold according to the Account and Value of Silver But as Timaeus says a Hundred and Fifty Talents and Two hundred Thousand * Every Medi 〈…〉 is 18 〈…〉 ns and Eight Gallons make a Bushel so that 200 Thousand Medimnas make 500 Thousand 〈◊〉 is Medimnas of Wheat Thus stood the Affairs of Sicily at that time In Italy the Samnites took Sora and Atia two Confederate Cities of the Romans by Storm and sold all the Captives for Slaves Upon which the Consuls broke in with mighty Forces into Japygia and sate down before the City Sylvia a Garison of the Samnites which the Romans took by Assault after a few days Siege and carry'd away above Five thousand Prisoners and abundance of rich Spoil and Booty Then they harrass'd the Country of the Samnites cutting down all the Trees and making havock and spoil where-ever they came For Rome having for many years been in contest with this Nation for the supream Command hop'd at length that the Enemy being strip'd out of all they had all over the Country would be forcâ—d to sloop to the Stronger and to that end they continu'd Spoiling and Wasting the Country Five Months together within which time they burnt down to the Ground almost all the Towns and rooted up every Plant and Tree and whatever other thing that might yield any Fruit for Daily Food After this the * Anagnite or Anagnini in â—â—aly a City of the Hernicori Aeginetes proclaim'd War for the Injuries done them and took * Frutinum Olymp. 118. 4. Ant. Ch. 303. Antigonus at War with Rhodes Fr 〈…〉 by Assault and Sold the Territories belonging to it After the End of this Year Xenippus Govern'd at Athens and Lucius Posthumius and Tiberius Minucius bore the Office of Consuls at Rome About this time the Rhedians were at War with Antigonus upon the accounts following The City of Rhodes was very strong in Shipping and the best Govern'd of any City among the Greeks and therefore all the Kings and Petty Princes strove which should gain the greatest Interest in the Citizens every one endeavouring to have her for their Confederate But foreseeing afar off what would be most for her Advantage she secretly made Peace with all but would not meddle with any of the Wars wherein the Princes were ingag'd one against another so that she was courted and richly presented by every one of them and grew exceeding rich by the injoyment of a long Peace For she became so potent that in the Pyrattick War Ant. Ch. 303. undertaken for the Common good of all Greece she scowr'd the Seas and freed them from Pyrats at her own charge Alexander the most potent Prince of any that is recorded honour'd this City above all others for there he laid up his last Will concerning the disposal of his whole Kingdom and honouring her in other respects advanc'd her to the state of a Royal City The Rhodians thus in amity with all the Princes kept themselves with all the Art they could from giving any just offence by outward appearance though in their hearts they most favour'd Ptolemy for they were most inricht by the Merchants which traded thence into Aegypt and the whole City was maintain'd and supported by the Wealth of that Kingdom which being understood by Antigonus he did all he could to draw them off from siding with Ptolemy And therefore at first when he was ingag'd in a War against Ptolemy for the Island of Cyprus he sent Ambassadors thither to sollicit them them to send Aid and shipping to Demetrius which they denying he commanded one his Admirals to sail away with his Fleet against them and intercept and rifle all the Ships that made out of the Port at Rhodes for Aegypt But the Rhodians beating the Admiral he charg'd them to be the Aggressors and beginners of an unjust War and threatn'd to besiege their City with the strength of his whole Army upon which the Rhodians decreed him great Honours and sent Ambassadors to him to intreat him that he would not force them to ingage in a War against Ptolemy contrary to the League they had made with him But the King hereat growing more inrag'd sent Demetrius with the Army and all manner of Engines for a Siege against them who were thereupon so terrifi'd with the mighty power of the King that at first they signifi'd to Demetrius by their Ambassadors that they would assist Antigonus against Ptolemy But afterwards when he requir'd a P. 775. Hundred of the Nobility for Hostages and that his Fleet might be admitted into the Harbour they concluded that he design'd to surprize the City and therefore they prepar'd for War Demetrius on the other hand Rendesvouz'd all his Fleet in the Port at Elorymna and put all in readiness for an Expedition to Rhodes He had with him Two hundred Men of War of several dimensions a Hundred and seventy Ships of burthen
in which were carri'd about Forty thousand Soldiers together with Horse and Auxiliaries from the Pirats Besides there were on Board abundance of all sorts of Darts Arrows and other Engines fit for the carrying on of an Assault And along with all these there follow'd almost a Thousand Vessels belonging to private Men full of Wares and Merchandize And whereas the Country of the Rhodians had been free from all devastations for many years together a vast multitude of men that had inricht themselves by the losses of others in the War flockt thither from all places Demetrius therefore drawing up his Fleet in a line of Battle as ready prepar'd for a Sea sight commanded his Men of War Ant. Ch. 303. which carri'd Engines upon their Fore Castles to cast Darts and Arrows of three spans long to sail before and the Transport Ships and such as had Horses on board they that row'd in lesser Vessels tow'd after them by Cable Ropes In the Rear came the Pirats Vessels and a numerous Company as is before said of Merchants Ships loaden with Corn and other Provisions so that all the Sea between them and the Island and opposite shoar seem'd to be cover'd over with Ships which struck a great Terror and Amazement into those that had the prospect from the City For the Rhodian Soldiers who were plac'd upon the Walls there waited for the Enemies approach the old Men and Women likewise had a prospect of them from the tops of their Houses for the City was in its situation like a Theater and all being amaz'd and terrifi'd with the greatness of the Fleet and glittering of the Arms were in no small perplexity for all they had in this World was now lying at stake Demetrius now at last arriv'd at the Island and Landed his Men and then encampt Rhodes bes 〈…〉 by Demetrius near the City but not within the Cast of a Dart which done he forthwith sent out some of the Pirats and others fit for the purpose to spoil and pillage all before them both by Sea and Land He cut down also all the Trees of the Country next adjoining and raz'd the Towns and with the Timber and materials from thence he fortifi'd his Camp drawing round it a treble Trench and many great and strong Ramparts so that by the misery and losses of the Enemy he effectually provided for his Armies security Then by the labour of his whole Army and the Seamen that came along with him in a few daies he took in with a Rampart of Earth all that part of Ground lying between his Landing place and the City and inlarg'd the Haven for the more commodious Ant. Ch. 300. riding of his Ships In the mean time the Rhodians sent Ambassadors to him intreating him he would not do any thing that might be irreparable But when they perceiv'd he would not hearken to any Terms laying aside all hopes of composing matters they sent Messengers to Ptolemy Lysimachus and Cassander praying their assistance because that War was made upon them upon their account Both Inhabitants that were not Free of the City and Foreigners lately come in were admitted to take up Arms if they thought fit for defence of the place the rest of the Rabble tha were useless they put forth out of the City both to prevent scarcity of Provision and lest any uneasie under the present Circumstances they were in should betray the Town Then taking an account of the number of them in Arms they found there were of the Citizens Six thousand of Inhabitants and strangers One thousand They made likewise a Decree that all Servants that had approv'd themselves honest and faithful in all hazards and dangers P. 776. should be bought off from their Masters and set free and inroll'd into the number of the Citizens Then a Proclamation was made that whosoever di'd in the War should be buri'd at the publick charge and that his Parents and Children should be maintain'd out of the City Treasury that Portions should be given to the Daughters out of the publick stock and that the Sons when they were grown up should be crown'd and adorn'd in the Theater at the time of the Festivals of Bacchus with all sorts of Arms and Armour With these promises all were presently excited to stand to it to the last and Ant. Ch. 303. indure the utmost extremity and then they made it their business as far as it was possible to provide all other things that were necessary for all being unanimous the Rich brought in their Money and the Smiths and other workmen earnestly set themselves to the making of Arms and all were so intent upon their business that every one strove to exceed each other Some therefore imploi'd themselves in making Engines to cast Darts and shoot stones and others in making and preparing other things same repair'd the Walls where they were defective and many loaded men with stones to carry to the Walls They sent out likewise Three swift sailing Vessels against the Enemy and the Merchants that brought them in Provision These setting on them upon a sudden sunk many of the Merchant Ships who were gone ashore to rob and spoil the Country and burnt no few that were driven up to land and what they receiv'd for the Redemption of Captives they brought with them back into the City For the Rhodians had agreed with Demetrius what the value of Redemption on both sides should be that is for every Freeman a Thousand Drachma's and for every Servant and Bondman Five hundred Demetrius being furnish'd with plenty of all things necessary for the making of Engines began to make two call'd Testudo's the one against the Engines Ant. Ch. 303. that cast stones and the other against those that shot Darts and Arrows these they plac'd upon the Foredecks of two Transport Ships which mov'd from place to place and were chain'd close together He likewise made two Towers four stories high apiece higher than those Turrets belonging to the Town in the Harbour both which likewise were plac'd upon two Ships of equal height and joyn'd one to another that both might be equally ballast when they were forc'd forward He built likewise a Rampart upon a Fore footed piece of Timber nail'd together to float upon the Water in order to beat off the Enemy in any Attack they might make upon the Ships where the Engins were plac'd At the same time while he was making these he got together a Number of the strongest Water Boats and fenc'd them with Boards and Planks round and made Loop-holes in the sides to shut at pleasure and in these he plac'd Engines to shoot Darts and Arrows of three spans long at a great distance together with such Soldiers as knew very well how to make use of them and with them some Cretian Archers Coming up therefore with his Ships within the Cast of a Dart he sorely gall'd the Townsmen with his Darts and Arrows being the Engines in
the Ships were higher than the Walls next to the Harbour The Rhodians on the other hand understanding that Demetrius made it his main business to gain the Port were as earnest in providing all things necessary for its defence To this end they mounted two Engines upon a Rampart and put on Board Three others upon two Transport Ships and lay with them at the mouth of the little Harbour and in these they put great Numbers of Engins for the shooting of Stones Darts and Arrows of all sizes that by the help of these they might repulse the Enemy if he either attempted to land Men or make up with his Engines Besides all this they Ant. Ch. 303. had contriv'd convenient places and apartments in the Transport Ships which then lay in the Harbour wherein to place their Engines and Darts as they had occasion Both sides being now thus ready prepar'd and Demetrius just upon the point of moving into the Harbours with his Machines was prevented by a fierce and violent Storm that then arose But being calm all the night afterwards he Sails up secretly and seises upon the highest Rampart of the great Harbour and forthwith draws a Mud-wall about it and fences it with stones and planks of Timber Then he landed Four hundred of his Men and plac'd them there with all sorts of Darts and Weapons the Fort was * Five Plethras †Every Plethra a handred foot P. 777. distant from the Walls As soon as it was light they came up with the Engines into the Port with shouting and sound of Trumpet then with their small shot which did execution at a great distance they beat off those that were building the Wall in the Port and with their battering Engines broke in pieces the Enemies Machines and shak'd the the Wall near the Rampart in one part and batter'd it down in another For it was but low and weak at that time the Citizens stoutly defended themselves and spent all that day in wounding and receiving wounds from their Enemies but night drawing on Demetrius tow'd his Ships Cables ti'd to smaller Vessels and got oft his Engines out of the reach of the Enemies Artillery But the Rhodians took fire along with them and in Boats fill'd with combustible matter pursu'd their Enemies and coming up with the Engines put Ant. Ch. 303. fire to the matter in the Boats but being presently beaten off by Darts and Arrows from the floating Rampart they were forc'd to Tack about and so retire but the Flame rag'd to that degree that some few only having extinguish'd the fire return'd in the Boats and the greatest part of them having had their Vessels burnt down to the Water by swimming only sav'd their lives The next day Demetrius in the same manner made his Attack from the Sea and ordered an Assault with shouting and sound of Trumpet should be made on every side from the Land that he might strike the greater Terror into the Rhodians while innumerable dangers surrounded and distracted them on every hand he continu'd thus assaulting the Town for the space of Eight daies together shooting from his Engines upon the Rampart stones of the weight of a Talent and batter'd down the middle walls between the Towers together with the Towers themselves the Souldiers likewise possess'd themselves of part of the wall that fac'd the Harbours Upon which the Rhodians all flockt to that place and there they sharply fell to it and ingag'd the Enemy and over-powering them in number with the slaughter of some of them forc'd the rest to draw off The uneasie rough and uneven passage to the place by reason of many heaps of great and massy stones which were laid before the walls on the outside was of great advantage to the besieg'd many of the Enemies Vessels in the midst of this hurly burly mann'd with Soldiers comming up the Rhodians presently tore off the Beaks of the Ships and by combustible matter and Firebrands thrown in among them burnt the Ships themselves While the besieg'd were thus hurri'd and distracted in defending Ant. Ch. 303 themselves the Demetrians coming in with their Vessels on every side set Scaling Ladders to the Walls and prest on with the greater resolution being assisted in all parts by the Soldiers at Land who together with them in the Ships mutually repeated their shouts and acclamations And now many boldly and resolutely in contempt of danger press'd forward and in great Bodies mounted the Walls upon which follow'd a sharp Ingagement the assailant's forcing on with great resolution from without and the besieg'd with as much courage flocking together to defend themselves within At length the Rhodians after a brave Resistance beat off the Assailants killing some and taking others Prisoners that were wounded amongst whom were some of the chiefest Commanders The Besiegers being thus baffl'd Demetrius draws off his Engines into his own Port and then sets upon repairing both them and his Ships In the mean time the Rhodians bury their dead and dedicated to their Gods their Enemies Arms and the Beaks of their Ships and repair'd those parts of their walls as were beaten down by the Engines Demetrius however after seven days time spent in refitting his battering Engines and repairing his Shipping having now all things in readiness enters the Harbor again For he made it his main business to be absolute Lord of this and to intercept all Provision that might be brought in to the relief of the City when he came within the cast of a Dart he threw Firebrands of which he had a great number into the Rhodians Ships which lay scatter'd here and there and shook and batter'd the Walls with his Engines and wounded and gall'd with his Darts and Arrows whoever appear'd in view The Assault thus continuing to the great terror and amazement of the Inhabitants the Rhodian Pilots in great fear and concern for the Shipping extinguish'd the Firebrands and the Magistrates of the City whom they call Prytanes seeing that the Port was now even upon the point of being taken earnestly intreated all the Citizens both high and low without distinction resolutely to put to their helping hands for the common preservation and security of the whole City Whereupon many readily came in and mann'd three of their strongest Vessels with the best of their Men giving them Orders to do the utmost they could with the Beaks of their Ships to sink the Enemies Vessels that carry'd their Engines Those thus sent out though they were ply'd with showers of Darts and Arrows yet by the violence of their Charge broke in pieces the * The st 〈…〉 ing Rampart Rampart that was fenc'd with 〈◊〉 and so shatter'd their Ships with one stroke after another that they fill'd them with Water and dismounted two of their Engines Whereupon the Demetrians towing back the Third with Cables the Rhodians encourag'd by their Success prest on still with more Boldness than Prudence and therefore being pierc'd and shatter'd by
bound together by Plates of Iron In the middle part he plac'd strong Planks of Timber a Cubit distance one from another for those that forc'd the Engine forward to stand upon The whole was mov'd upon Eight strong and large Wheels whos 's Felloes were Two Cubit thick cover'd with strong Iron Plates Thwart over the Spokes were contriv'd * Instruments to turn the Engine P. 780. Antistâ—â—pta's to turn about the Engine in a trice when ever they pleas'd At every corner of the Machine were Pillars rais'd little less than a hundred Cubits high every one of an equal length so compacted together as that the whole Machine was Nine Stories high In the first were Three and forty Beds and in the highest Nine The three sides of the Engine were lin'd on the outside with Iron Plates fastn'd with Nails to prevent all damage from Fire that might be shot or cast from the City In every Story at the Front were made Loop-holes proportionable and in shape to the nature of the Artillery that was thence to be discharged To these were Shutters fastn'd to the Engine to draw up for the better defence of them within that threw the Darts for they were lin'd with Skins stuff'd with Wooll to deaden the force of the Stone-shot Every Story was furnish'd with two Ant. Ch. 30â— large Ladders that whatever was necessary might be brought in to them at one and the same time by one while others were going down upon other occasions by the other that so every thing might be dispatcht without tumult and confusion There were chosen out of the whole Army the strongest Men to the number of Three thousand and four hundred to move the Engine forward of whom some from within and others plac'd behind so forc'd it forward that Art and Strength together much facilitated the motion He mad also * Artificial Covers over Mens Heads made of strong Timber covered over with raw S 〈…〉 Testudo's by some to fill up Trenches and Ditches and with others to bring up Battering Rams He made likewise Galleries through which they that were imploy'd might pass and repass with safety at their pleasure By the help and assistance likewise of the Seamen he plain'd and laid even all the way along which the Engines were to be brought up to the space of Four Furlongs so that the breadth of the Work fac'd as much of the City-Wall as consisted of Six Divisions between the Turrets and of Seven of the Turrets themselves The multitude of Artificers and Workmen that were got together were no less than Thirty thousand Men. Every thing therefore through multitude of hands being perfected and compleated sooner than could be imagin'd Demetrius became a Terror to the Rhodians for not only the greatness of the Engines and the multitude of Men but the Valour and Diligence of the King in carrying on of Sieges amaz'd them Ant. Ch. 302. for he was extraordinary ingenious in invention and contriv'd many things beyond all the Art and Industry of the Artificers whence he got the Name of * Poliorches 〈◊〉 Poliorches for he was so fierce and violent in his Assaults that no Wall seem'd to be so strong as to be a sufficient Defence to the Besieg'd against him And besides he was so Tall and Beautiful that he look'd like a Demy God insomuch as those who came to him but as Guests and Strangers and saw his Gracely Meen cloath'd with Royal Majesty they were struck with Admiration and would often attend upon him in his Expeditions meerly to have the satisfaction in looking at him Moreover he was of an high and noble Spirit that scorn'd not only to stoop to the common sort but even to Princes themselves And that which was most strange and peculiar only to himself was in times of Peace he was given to Drukenness and Banqueting to Dancing and Rioting and would imitate even the Manners of Bacchus himself such as is fabulously reported he us'd to practise when he was upon Earth But in times of War he was very active and serious insomuch as he went beyond all the rest both as to his Head and Hand when any thing was to be done For in his time and by his contrivance were made the greatest Darts and such sort of Engines as far exceeded all other Nations in the World And after this Siege and his Father's Death he launch'd forth the greatest Ships that ever were before seen In the mean time the Rhodians perceiving how the Enemy's Works went on built another Wall within answerable to that which was now presently to be Assaulted and to this purpose they us'd the Stones that Wall'd in the Theater and pull'd down some neighbouring Houses and some Temples for the same purpose vowing to the Gods to build larger and fairer Ant. Ch. 302. P. 781. The Acts of the Rhodian Sea-Captains if the City were preserv'd They sent out likewise Nine Ships and commanded the Captains that infesting every part and surprizing what Ships they could they should sink some of those they took and bring in others into the City Harbour These Captains divided their Squadron into three parts Damophilus with the Ships which the Rhodians call'd * Guard Ships Phalacidae sail'd to * Carpathus an Island between Rhodes and Creete now Scarpanto Carpathus were surprizing many of Demetrius's Fleet he sunk some and burnt others that were drawn up upon the Shoar making choice of such Prisoners as might be most useful and serviceable and many Ships that were carrying Corn and other Fruits out of the Island he brought away with him into his own Country Menedemus who commanded three small * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gallies betwixt two and three Tire of Oars made for Patara and Lycia and there found a Ship at Anchor and burnt her all her Men being before gone off to Land He took likewise many of the Enemies Transport Ships which carry'd Provisions to their Camp and sent them to Rhodes He took also a Ship of Four Tire of Oars coming out of Cilicia which carry'd a Royal Robe and other rich Furniture which Phila Demetrius his Wife had curiously wrought and had sent as a Present to her Husband He order'd the Garments to be convey'd into Egypt for they were Purple Robes fit for none to wear but Kings but the Ship he took away with him and sold all the Seamen he had taken both out of the Galley of four Tire of Oars and other Vessels Amyntas who commanded the other Ships sailed to the Islands and Ant. Ch. 302. falling in with some of the Enemy that were conveying away something of use for the Engines he sunk some of the Ships and brought in others to the City in which were taken Eleven famous Artificers most expert Artists in making of Darts and Engines After this was call'd a General Assembly wherein it was propos'd that the Statues of Antigonus and Demetrius should be pull'd down affirming that
the Water before prepar'd and ready in the Apartments of the Engine for such Accidents At length he call'd together by sound of Trumpet those that were to move the Engines and by their Help brought them off out of the reach of the Darts When it was day he order'd the Boys and Pages in the Army to gather all the Darts and Arrows shot by the Rhodians because he had a desire by numbering of these to make a Conjecture how the Citizens were furnish'd and provided These Boys performing what they were commanded there were in number of Fire-brands and other Vehicles for Fire of several sizes above Eight Hundred of Darts no fewer than Fifteen hundred This vast number of Darts Arrows Firebrands and Balls shot in in so little a portion of the Night caus'd him to admire the Store and Provision of the City in their Ammunition and likewise their great Charge and Expence in providing them Then he set about repairing of his Engines burying the Dead and curing those that were Wounded During which time the Citizens having a Respite from the Assaults and Batteries of the Engines built a third Wall in the shape of an Half-Moon which compass'd in all that part of the Wall that lay most open and obnoxious to the Enemies Batteries And besides this they drew a deep Trench round that part of the Wall which Ant. Ch. 302. was ready to fall that the King might not enter on a sudden at the first Push They sent out likewise some Ships that were swift Sailers under the Command of Amyntas who made over to the Continent in Asia and there set upon some Privateers that were Commission'd by Demetrius They had three open Vessels and were reputed the stoutest Men the King had in his Fleet. After a short Fight the Rhodians took both the Ships and Men together among whom were Timocles the chief of the Pirates They fell likewise upon some Merchant Ships and took some light Vessels loaden with Corn and with these and the Pirates open Vessels they secretly pass'd by the Enemy and got into Rhodes Demetrius having repair'd his Machines brings them up again to the Walls and with showers of Darts and Arrows forc'd the Besieg'd off from the Bulwarks and battering the Place adjoining with his Rams beat down two Spaces between the Towers In the heat of this Action the Besieg'd with all their Might defended the middle Tower and were continually press'd upon with strong Parties of fresh Men one after another so that Aminias their chief Commander couragiously behaving himself was there slain with many other of the common Soldiers While these Things were doing King Ptolemy sent to the Rhodians as much Corn and other Provision as he had done before and Fifteen Hundred Soldiers besides under the Command of Antigonus a Macedonian About the same time there came to Demetrius above Fifty Ambassadors from Athens and other Cities of Greece all solliciting the King to compose Matters and strike up a Peace with the Rhodians Whereupon there was a Ant. Ch. 302. Cessation of Arms and many Harangues were now made to the People and then again to Demetrius but they could not agree upon any Terms and therefore the Ambassadors went away without effecting any thing Demetrius afterwards was contriving to make an Attack upon the City in the Night at that part of the Wall that was fallen down to this end he pick'd out the best of his Soldiers P. 784. and some others fit for the Purpose in all to the number of Fifteen Hundred whom he commanded to approach the Walls secretly about the second Watch. He himself stood ready with the rest of the Army and gave Orders to the Officers of every Regiment upon a Signal given to set up a Shout and forthwith to make an Assault upon the City both by Sea and Land who all executed his Commands accordingly and presently one Party made to the Ruines and killing the Watch at the Trench broke into the City and possess'd themselves of all the Places round the Theatre The Rhodians seeing all the City in an Uproar upon the knowledge of what had happen'd commanded them that guarded the Port and the Walls every one to keep their several Posts and endeavour to beat off the Enemy that attempted to enter They in the Town with the stoutest of the Citizens and those Soldiers then lately come from Alexandria set upon Ant. Ch. 302. them that were broke in within the Walls But as soon as it was Day Demetrius lifted up the * Standard Signal at which both they that had made an Attack upon the Port and those round the Walls set up a Shout all together to encourage their Men that had enter'd and were about the Theatre The poor Women and Children throughout the whole City were in terrible Frights and Lamentations as if the Town had been then certainly taken by Storm However a sharp Encounter there was between them that had enter'd within the Walls and the Rhodians and though many fell on both sides yet neither of them at first gave the least Ground But after a while when many more of the Rhodians came flocking in resolv'd to endure the greatest Extremity as now to fight for their Country and for all that was dear to them in the World the King's Party were overborn and Alcimus and Mantias the Commanders of the Party after many Wounds receiv'd were there slain most of the rest were either kill'd upon the Spot or taken Prisoners but some few made their escape and got to the King Many likewise of the Rhodians were slain at the same time amongst whom was Damotetis * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pre 〈…〉 or Chief Magistrate President of the Council a Man most Renown'd for his Valour Demetrius although he judg'd that Fortune had as it were wrung the City out of his Hands yet prepar'd for another Assault But his Father writing to him to make Peace with the Rhodians upon such Terms and Conditions as he could get he watch'd for the most convenient opportunity which might afford him a Ant. Ch. 302. colourable Pretence for an Agreement and Composure of Matters between them Ptolemy likewise though he had before writ to the Rhodians to acquaint them that he intended to send them a great quantity of Corn and Three thousand Men yet afterwards advising them to Treat and Agree with Antigonus upon any reasonable Conditions they all inclin'd to Peace At the same time likewise the Aetolian Commonwealth sent Ambassadors to Negociate a Pacification The Rhodians therefore at length struck up a Peace with Peace made with the Rhodians Demetrius upon the Conditions following viz. That the City should Govern according to their own Laws and should be without a Garison That they should Enjoy their own Estates and Revenues That they should join with Antigonus in his Wars against all Persons except Ptolemy And that they should deliver a Hundred Citizens for Hostages such
as Demetrius should make Choice of except such as were Magistrates And thus the Rhodians after a whole Year's Siege put an end to the War honouring those with just Rewards who had approv'd themselves honest and faithful to their Country and such Slaves as had behav'd themselves stoutly and valiantly they set free and enroll'd them as Members of the City They set up likewise the Statues of the Kings Ptolemy Cassander and Lysimachus and of some others inferiour to them yet who had contributed much to the Preservation of the Place But that they might express their Gratitude Ant. Ch. 302. and Thankfulness to Ptolemy above all the rest they sent some of their Priests to consult the Oracles of Ammon whether they should worship Ptolemy as a God or no And being answer'd That they should they consecrated to him a Four-square Grove in their P. 785. City building on every side thereof a Gallery of a Furlong in length and call'd it Ptolemeum or Ptolemy's Gallery They repair'd also the Theatre and the Parts of the Walls that were thrown down and made them and all the other Places that had been ruin'd far more Beautiful and Glorious than they were before Demetrius having ratifi'd the Peace with the Rhodians according to his Father's Commands loos'd from thence with his whole Army and passing by the Islands he arriv'd at Aulis in Boeotia minding with all speed to set the Grecians at Liberty for Cassander and Polysperchon grown bold through the absence of the Enemy had not long before wasted and harrass'd many Parts of Greece And first of all he freed the City of the Calcideans from a Garison of the Boeotians and forc'd the Boeotians out of fear of him to fall off from their League with Cassander Afterwards confederating with the Aetolians he prepar'd to make War upon Polysperchon and Cassander During these Transactions Eumelus the King of Bospherus Cimmerius having now reign'd Vid. antea Olymp. 17. 3. how he di'd Ant. Ch. 302. Six Years ended his Days after whom succeeded Sparticus his Son who reign'd Twenty Years Having now given an Account of the Affairs of Greece and Asia we shall pass over to other Parts of the World In Sicily Agathocles on a sudden and without any Provocation invaded the Inhabitants Agathocles robs the Liparians of the Lipari Islands being then in full and perfect Peace and Security and exacted from them Fifty Talents of Silver At which time many thought that 't was then spoken from a Divine Spirit when 't was said That God would remarkably pursue him for his Wickedness The Liparians then desir'd him that he would give some time to make up the Money that was short declaring that to that time they never made use of the Dedicated Treasure But Agathocles forc'd him to give him the Money that was in the * In the Prytaneum Sacred Treasury Upon some of which was stamp'd the Image of Aeolus and upon others Vulcan and when he had got it he set sail and away he went But there arose a Storm that broke in pieces Eleven of the Ships that carry'd the Money Which gave occasion to many to conclude that Aeolus who is said to have Command of the Winds in those Parts executed Vengeance upon him at his first setting forth And that Vulcan at his latter end punish'd the Tyrant in his own Country according to the just Desert of his Wickedness burning him alive with hot Coals For it was one and the same Justice and Divine Will that forbore and pass'd over those that sav'd and preserv'd their Parents at the Foot of Mount Aetna and that exerted his Power in punishing those that had impiously prophan'd the Deity But what is now said concerning the Return and Misfortunes of Agathocles shall be further Ant. Ch. 302. confirm'd when we come to the Time proper for that Relation but now we must apply our selves to what was done in those Parts of Italy that lay bordering one upon another The Romans and Samnites after a War of Two and twenty Years and Six Months continuance by their mutual Ambassadors at length made Peace one with another But Sempronius one of the Consuls broke into the Country of the Aequi and took Forty Towns in Forty Days time at the most and bringing the whole Country into absolute Subjection to the Roman Yoke return'd home and most worthily and gloriously triumph'd But the Romans enter into a League with the Marsi Peligni and Marrycini When the former Year was ended Leostratus was chosen Chief Magistrate of Athens for this succeeding and Servius Cornelius and Lucius Genucius were created consuls at Rome Olymp. 119. 2. Ant. Ch. 301. In the time of whose Governments Demetrius resolv'd to make War upon Cassander and to restore Liberty to the Grecians and above all other Concerns to put the Affairs of Demetrius 〈◊〉 the Cities in Greece at Liberty Greece into a good and happy Condition because he hop'd by the Liberty granted thereby both to advance his own Reputation as also to break those Captains of Cassander's as were join'd with Prepalaus and that by falling upon Cassander he should gain the Sovereign Power to himself The City of Sicyon was then held by a Garison of Ptolemy the King of which Philip a brave and gallant Man was Governor upon this Place Demetrius P. 786. made a sudden Attack in the Night and broke in within the Walls whereupon the Garison Soldiers presently hurri'd into the Castle Demetrius being now possess'd of the Town posted himself between the Houses and the Cittadel and being just upon the point of bringing up his Engines they within were so terrify'd that they surrender'd upon Terms and then sail'd away into Aegypt Afterwards having prevail'd with the Sicyons to remove and settle themselves within the Castle he laid that part of the City that adjoin'd to the Haven even to the Ground which was a Place before every way strongly fortify'd Then joining with the Inhabitants and helping them to build * In the Cittadel Houses and restoring them to their former Liberty he was honour'd by these he had thus oblig'd as a Demi-God for they call'd the City Demetriades and appointed Sacrifices Festivals and Sports with other Honours to be Yearly celebrated and offer'd in Memory of him as the Builder of their City But Time and Turns of Fortune put an end to these Solemnities The Sicyons therefore being fix'd in a far better Place than they were before have continu'd there from that very time to this day For the Site of the Citadel is large and Plain compass'd in on every side with inaccessible Rocks so as no Engine can possibly approach or come near it It 's furnish'd likewise with plenty of Water by which the Inhabitants greatly inrich their Gardens and Orchards And therefore all approv'd the Wisdom and ingenious Contrivance of the King that had provided for them every Ant. Ch. 301. thing conducing to their Pleasure
in time of Peace and to their Protection and Security in time of War Having settled all Things at Sicyon he march'd thence with his whole Army to Corinth which Prepalaus Cassander's General then held with a strong Garison where being presently let in by the Citizens in the Night through a little Sally-Port he gain'd the City together with the Havens-The Soldiers in Garison hereupon fled some of them into the * Palace Sisyphium as it 's call'd others into the Cittadel Whereupon the Engines being brought up to the Fortifications after much much Toil and Labour he took Sisyphium by Storm The Besieg'd had before he enter'd all fled to them that were in the Cittadel but he so terrify'd them also that he forc'd them to surrender for this King in Assaults was not to be resisted and in inventing of Engines for the assaulting of Places was extraordinary Ingenious And now altho' he restor'd the Corinthians to their Liberty yet he put a Garison into the * Acro Corintho Citadel because the Citizens desir'd to continue under the †Antigonus his Protection who had assum'd the Title of King as is said before Ant. Ch. 301. King's Protection until he had subdu'd Cassander And so Prepelaus having thus poorly lost Corinth went to Cassander Then Demetrius march'd into Achaia and took Buta by Assault and within a few days after he had Scyrus deliver'd up to him and expell'd the Garison thence Moving forward he freed all the rest of the Cities of Achaia Then encamping at Aegeum he lay with his Army round the Walls and upon a Parly with Strombichus the Governour demanded the Surrender of the Town But he not only refus'd but rail'd against Demetrius from the Walls and gave him base Language whereupon the King brought up the Engines batter'd down the Wall and took the City by Storm and there crucify'd Strombicus who was plac'd there as Governour by Polysperchon and about Fourscore more that were his inveterate Enemies before the Walls of the Town And from among the Prisoners he pickt out 2000 Mercenaries and intermixt them amongst his own Regiments After the taking of this City they who held the neighbouring Forts and Castles thought it to no purpose to oppose the King and therefore all surrendred their Garisons And all the Governours of Cities seeing that Cassander and Polysperchon sent them no Assistance and that Demetrius with a potent Army and with Engines the greatest that P. 787. ever came into the Field was ready to fall upon them surrender'd all up to him And thus stood the Affairs of Demetrius In Italy the Tarentines being at War with the Lucanians and the Romans sent Ambassadors The War between the Lucanians and Tarentines Ant. Ch. 301. Cleonymus the Spartan to Sparta desiring Aid and that Cleonymus might be sent them for their General The Lacedaemonians readily granted the General that was desir'd and the Tarentines sent Ships and Money wherewith Cleonymus rais'd Five thousand Men and muster'd them at Tenarus in Laconia and thence by a short Cut sail'd to Tarentum where he hir'd as many Mercenaries as the former and listed some of the Citizens In the whole he rais'd above Twenty thousand Foot and two thousand Horse He join'd to his Army likewise many Greeks of Italy together with the Messapians whereupon the Lucanians being terrify'd with the greatness of his Army made Peace with the Tarentines Only the Metapontians stood off and therefore he requir'd the Lucanians to join with him in spoiling and harassing their Country and accordingly making use of a fit Opportunity he broke in upon them and put them into a terrible fright And tho' he enter'dinto the * Metapontum City as a Friend yet he trapann'd the Citizens out of Six thousand Talents of Silver and upwards and took away Two hundred young Ladies of the best Quality for Hostages not so much to secure the Performance of the League as to gratifie his own brutish Lusts for he threw off his Laconick Habit and gave up himself to all manner of Voluptuousness and brought them into Bondage and Slavery who had committed themselves to his Care and Protection For tho' he had so great an Army and so well provided yet he did noting worthy the Name of a Spartan He determin'd indeed to make an Expedition into Sicily under colour to overturn the Tyranny of Agathocles and to restore the Sicilians to Ant. Ch. 301 their ancient Laws and Liberties but omitting that for the present he sail'd to Corcyra and having taken the City got there a vast Treasure and Garison'd the Place designing to make use of that as a Town and Citadel of War and thence to manage all the Affairs of Greece Forthwith Ambassadors came to him from Demetrius Poliorches and Cassander severally to sollicit him to join with them as Confederates but he join'd with neither Afterwards hearing that the Tarentines and some others had deserted him and revolted he left a sufficient Garison at Corcyra and with the rest of his Forces sail'd in a great Heat into Italy with a Resolution to execute exemplary Punishment upon those that had rebell'd Arriving at the very Place where the Barbarians kept Guard he took the City and after he had sold the Men for Slaves he spoil'd and harass'd all the Country He took also a Town call'd Triopius by Assault and carry'd thence Three thousand Captives But about this time the Barbarians got into a Body and set upon his Camp in the night and kill'd above two hundred of his Soldiers and took about a Thousand Prisoners and together with this Misfortune at the very same time arose a violent Storm and broke in pieces 20 of his Ships as they lay at Anchor near to his Camp Being plagu'd with these Losses and Misfortunes falling one upon the neck of another Cleonymus sail'd back with his Forces to Corcyra The former Year being now past this Year Nicocles executed the Office of Lord Chancellor Olymp. 119. 3. Ant. Ch. 300. Cassander sends to make Peace with Antigonus of Athens and Marcus Livius and Marcus Aemilius succeeded Consuls at Rome At which time Cassander King of Macedon seeing the Armies of his Enemies to increase and that the Storm was impending and ready to fall with all its weight upon him was in a great Consternation concerning the Issue and Event He sent therefore Ambassadors into Asia to Antigonus to intreat him to be reconcil'd and strike up a Peace with him who fiercely and roughly answer'd That he would own no Peace that should be made Antigonus his proud Answer P. 788. with him unless Cassander would deliver up all into his hands At which Answer he was greatly terrify'd and sent for Lysimachus out of Thrace to venture all in a Common Lot both together For ever in his greatest Straits his manner was to have recourse to him for Relief both upon the account of his Valour and for that his Kingdom border'd upon Macedonia
he gave off his pursuit and casting about for the fittest Places he distributed his Army into Winter-Quarters But receiving intelligence that Seleucus was marching down from the Higher Provinces with a numerous Army he sent one of his Friends into Greece to Demetrius Commanding him with all speed to come to him with his Forces For he was in an extraordinary Fright lest all the Kings joining together should force him to fight and so lay all at stake before the Forces out of Europe could join him Lysimachus in the like manner sent his Army to be quartered in the Country of Salmonia P. 790. having made large Provision for them out of Heraclea for that he had alliance with them of that City For he had marry'd Amestris the Daughter of Oxyartes Niece to the late King Darius whom Alexander gave to Craterus to be his Wife and now at this time Governess of Ant. Ch. 300. the City And thus stood the Affairs of Asia at that time But as to the Affairs of Greece Demetrius being at Athens greatly desir'd to be initiated Demetrius initiated into the Sacred Mysteries of Ceres at Eleusina But in regard the time appointed by the Law and commonly spent by the Athenians in performing the Ceremonies of this Solemnity was very long and tedious he intreated the People that in return of his former kindness to them they would alter their ancient Custom which they agreed unto Whereupon he committed his Person unarm'd into the Hands of the Priests and so being His Acts in Greece initiated before the Legal Day he departed from Athens and then rendezvous'd both his Fleet and Land-Army at Chalcis in Baeotia but hearing that Cassander had block'd up all the Passes he look'd upon it not feasible to go by Land into Thessaly and therefore sail'd with the Army into the Haven of Larissa and there landed his Men upon which the City was forthwith surrender'd to him but the Citadel he took by Force of Arms and bound all the Soldiers of the Garison in Chains and so committed them close Prisoners and restor'd the Larisseans to their ancient Laws and Liberties Then he took in Prona and Pteleum Cassander had commanded the Inhabitants of * Cities in Thessaly Dion and Orchomenon to remove and settle at Thebes but Demetrius put a stop to this Transplanting of the Cities Cassander when he saw that every thing went as Demetrius would have it strengthned the Garisons in Phera and Thebes and rendezvous'd his Forces in the Face of the Demetrians His whole Army consisted of Nine and twenty thousand Foot and Two Armies of Demetrius and Cassander thousand Horse Those who follow'd Demetrius amounted to Fifteen hundred Horse at least Eight thousand Macedonian Foot and Fifteen thousand Mercenaries and out of the Cities of Greece Five and twenty thousand besides several Regiments of Light-arm'd Men Ant Ch. 300 and a disorderly Rabble of fordid Fellows out of all Nations to the Number of Eight thousand at the least such as are us'd to follow Camps only to Rob and Plunder where-ever they come So that the whole Land-Army consisted of Six and Fifty thousand Men. The Armies had now lay'n one over against the other many days and though they were drawn up in Battalia on both sides yet neither attempted to sight solicitously expecting to hear how things went in Asia At that time Demetrius enter'd with part of his Army into the City of Pherea being invited thither by the Inhabitants and took the Citadel and dismiss'd all Cassander's Soldiers upon the Terms agreed upon and restor'd the Phereans to their former Liberties While these Things were acting in T 〈…〉 the Messengers from Antigonus came to Demetrius who deliver'd his Father's Commands and order'd him to transport his Forces over into Asia with all the speed imaginable Whereupon he looking upon it as a thing of absolute Necessity to obey his Father forthwith struck up a Peace with Cassander upon Condition that his Father would approve Demetrius makes Peace with Cassander of it not in the least doubting but that he would make all void who he knew had resolv'd to put an end to the War by no other ways than by force of Arms. However he was willing to manage his Business so as that his leaving of Greece should look with a fair Face and not resemble a Flight For among other things he took care to have it inserted into the Articles of Peace That all the Greek Cities both in Greece and Asia should enjoy their ancient Laws and Liberties At length having got Ships together to P. 791. Ant. Ch. 300. Demetrius goâ—s to his Father transport his Army and the Carriages he set sail with his whole Fleet and steering a right Course through the Islands of the Aegean Sea came to Ephesus and there landing his Army Encamp'd before it and reduc'd it to its former Obedience and suffer'd the Garison which Prepalaus had put there safely to depart Then putting a strong Garison of his own into the Castle there march'd away with the rest of his Army as far as the Hellespont where he reduc'd the Lampsacenians and Parians and other revolted Cities to his Subjection And from thence going to the Mouth of Pentus Encamp'd near the Temple of the Chalcedentans and there fortisy'd which done he left there Three thousand Foot and Thirty Sail of good Ships to keep the Port and sent the rest of his Army to Quarter for that Winter in several Places thereabouts About this time Mithridates who was subject to Antigonus being suspected of favouring Cassander's Party was slain at Cius in the Country of Mysia of which and of Arthinas he had been Prince Thirty five years His Son call'd also Mithridates succeeded him in his Principality and added to his Dominions Cappadocia and Paphlagonia and held them Thirty six years In these days Cassander after the departure of Demetrius recover'd all the Cities lying upon the Sea Coasts and sent Pleistarchus into Asia with an Army of Twelve thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse to assist Lysimachus But Pleistarchus coming to the Mouth Ant. Ch. 300. of Pontus found that Streight kept by the Enemy And thereupon despairing of any Passage that way went to Odessus which lies between Apollonia and Galatia over against The Misfortunes of Pleistarchus Cassander's General at Sea Heraclea where a Part of Lysimachus his Army lay But having not Shipping enough for the Transportation of all his Forces at that Place he divided his Army into three Parts The first part that set out landed safely at Heraclea The second was defeated by the Enemy's Ships which lay to keep the Streight at Pontus The third wherein Pleistarchus himself was was so overset by a violent Tempest that the greatest part of the Ships and Men in them perish'd And among the rest the Ship wherein he was being a Vessel of Six Tire of Oars and of all the Men in her which could not
neighbouring Barbarians the Japygians and Peucetians furnishing them with Ships for Piracy and shar'd with them in the Robbery At length having pâ—t a Garison into Crotona he sail'd back to Syracuse 5. Diallus the Athenian Writer compos'd a General History in Twenty six Books And Psaon of Platea anothâ—r in Thirty Books 6. In the War against the Hetruscians Gauls and Samnites and their Confederates the Romans destroy'd wâ—en Fabius was Consul an Hundred thousand Men as Daris relates 7. Antipater out of Envy kill'd his own Mother Alexander his Brother was likewise Olymp. 121. Ant. Ch. 296. kill'd by Demetrius whom Alexander had sent for to his assistance Antipater the Murtherer of his Mother was aâ—so serv'd the same Sauce by Demetrius unwilling to have a partner in the Kingdom 8. Agathocles rais'd an Army and sail'd over into Italy with 30000 Foot and Agathocles again invades Italy 2000 Horse And â—ving the Command of the Fleet to Stilpo he order'd him to wast and spoil the Câ—untry of the Brutii While he was harassing the Sea-coasts he lost many of his Ships in a Storm But Agathocles by the help of his battering Engines took the City Hipponium which so terrify'd the Brutii that they sent Ambassadors to treat with him upon terâ—â— of Peace Upon which he put in a Garrison and carry'd away with â—im Six hundred â—ostages and return'd to Syracuse But the Brutii made slight of their Oath and with the whole power of the City fell upon the Garison and flew every His Garison all Mâ—rdâ—red Man and afterwards recover'd their Hostages and freed themselves from the Yoke of Agathocles Lenity is to be prefer'd before Revenge 9. Most Generals of Armies when they are brought into Straits and Difficulties out of Fear do generally humour the Multitude 10. When the Thebans made a Second defection Demetrius batter'd down their Walls and took the City by Storm and put only Ten Men to Death who were the Ring-leaders Demetrius takes Thebes of the Rebellion 11. Agathocles sent his Son Agathocles to Demetrius to enter into a League with him Offensive and Defensive The King kindly receiv'd the young Man and bestow'd on him a Royal Robe and many other Rich and Princely gifts And sent along with him Oxythemes his special Friend under colour to confirm the League but in truth to be a Spy in Sicily 12. King Agathocles after a long Peace between him and the Carthaginians at length Agathocles Riggs a Fleet against Carthage Rigg'd out a great Fleet. For he design'd to transport an Army into Lybia and with his Navy to hinder the Exportation of all Corn and Provision from Sardinia and Sicily to the Carthaginians who by the last War had gain'd the Dominion of the Sea and thereby had secur'd their Countrey from Invasions And tho' Agathocles had a well furnish'd Fleet to the number of Two hundred Gallies of four and six Tire of Oars yet he fail'd in his design by reason of what shortly happen'd For there was one Menon an Agestone a beautiful Captive then Servant to the King who for some time conform'd himself to a strict compliance to the Kings humour so that he was taken into the number of his * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Catamite Menon his Catamiâ—e beloved and intimate Friends But because of the ruin of his Country and the dishonourable abuse of his own Person he bore a secret hatred to the King and watch'd an opportunity to be reveng'd The King because he was old intrusted Archagathus with the Command of the Army he was the Son of Archagathus who was kill'd in Lybia and so was King Agathocles's Granchild he was a Man of a strong Body and of a brave and generous Spirit far above all the rest of his Family When he was Encamp'd with the Army near Aetna the King had a desire to promote his Son Agathocles to be his Successor in the Kingdom and to that end recommended the young Man to the Syracusians and declar'd his purpose and design to have him Succeed Afterwards he sent him to the Camp with Letters to Archagathus which order'd him to deliver up the Command of all the Forces both by Sea and Land to his Son Upon which Archagathus perceiving that the Kingdom was design'd for another contriv'd the destruction of them both And to that end sent a Messenger to Menon of Aegista who perswaded him to poyson the King * Archagathus The son of Agathocles Murder'd He himself celebrating a Sacrifice in a certain Island where Agathocles then lay with the Fleet Invited him to the Festival and in the Night when he was dead drunk cut his throat and threw his Body into the Sea which being afterward cast up by the Violence of the Waves was known by the Inhabitants and carry'd to Syracuse And whereas it was the King's Custom always after Supper to pick his Teeth with a Quill now rising from the Table he call'd to Menon for his Tooth-picker Who having dipt the end of it in Poyson deliver'd it to the King who never suspecting any thing ply'd all his Teeth with that care and earnestness that none of his Guns scap'd the touch of the Poyson Upon ths the Kingbegan by little and The manner of his Death little to be very ill which was succeeded by violent Torments in his Body every Day Then an incurable putrefaction and rottenness cover'd hs Gums and Teeth and now drawing near to his end he call'd a Senate where he complain'd of the wickedness of Archagathus and incited the People to take revenge of him for his Villanies declaring that he would forthwith restore them to their Democracy Afterwards when he was in the very height of his Extremity Oxythemes that had been there a little before sent by King Demetrius hurri'd him to the Funeral Pile and â—urnt him while he was yet alive and not able to speak by reason of the foulness and filthness of his Mouth through the Poyson And thus Agathocles for the many Slaughters and Murders of his Reign and Olymp. 123. 4. A. M. 3798. His Life is notorious vide Justin lib. 22. 23. his end otherwise relaâ—â—d Cruelties towards his own Subjects and Impieties against the â—ods came to an end such as he justly deserv'd for his former wickednesses after he hd Reign'd Twenty eight Years and liv'd Seventy two as Timeus the Syracusian relates and Callias another Syracusian who writ Two and twenty Books and Antander likewise the Brother of Agathocles an Historian The Syracusians having now Regain'd ther Democratical Government Consiscated all the Goods and Estate of Agathocles and boke down all his Statues Menon in the mean time who had Plotted and Executed the Tâ—ason was at the Camp with Archagathus having fled thither from Syracuse And now beginning to look very big upon it as being the Man that had ruin'd the Monarchy â—e secretly Murthers Archagathus and with fair Words and winning Carriage brought over the Army to
of Agrigentum in a Dream had a representation pointing out to him his own Death He thought he saw as he was Hunting the Bore that a Sow fiercely made up upon him and struck him on the side with her Teeth which so pierc'd him that he Dy'd 6. Hicetas after he had Reign'd nine Years at Syracuse was depriv'd of his Kingdom by Thynion the Son of Mameus 7. Thynion and Softratus the Successors of Hicetas sent again for King Pyrrus into Sicily 8. The Mamertines who treacherously Murder'd the Messinians having entred into a League with the Carthaginians in a Senate decreed to hinder Pyrrhus from Landing in The War between the Romans and Pyrrhus bâ—gan the 124 Olym. 4. Ant. Ch. 279. Sicily But Tyndarion Tyrant of Tauromenia sided with him and was ready to receive into the City those Forces that joyn'd with him 9. The Carthaginians entred into a League with the Romans and took a-board 500 Men into their own Ships and Sail'd over to Rhegium and began to assault the Place but at length rais'd their Siege and having set on fire all the Timber and other Materials there prepar'd for Shipping they made to Sea and there lay to observe the motion of Pyrrhus When Thynio had the Command of the * Island and Sostratus lorded it over the Syracusians having each an Army of 10000 Men they broke out into War one against another This Island was part of the City Syracuse but being tyr'd out they both sent Ambassadors to Pyrrhus 11. Pyrrhus Warr'd in Italy 2 Years and 4 Months and whilst he was preparing for his departure the Carthaginians closely besieg'd the Syracusians both by Sea and Land They had a Fleet of 100 Sail that lay in the great Haven and a Land Army of 50000 Men that Encamp'd near the Walls and with these they penn'd up the Syracusians within the City and Wasting and Harrassing the Country round about they even turn'd it into a desolate Wilderness The Syracusians therefore wearied out with the War depended only upon Pyrrhus in regard he had Marry'd Lanassa the Daughter of Agathocles of whom he had begotten Alexander Upon which account they sent every Day one Messenger after another to him whereupon Shipping his Men Elephants and other Provisions he loos'd from Tarentum and arriv'd the 10th Day at Locris Thence he Sail'd after his Landing in Sâ—â—lly to Tauromenium and there being joyn'd with Tyndario Prince of that Pyâ—â—hus comes into Sicily City and Inforc'd by him with more Soldiers he made from thence and came to Catana where being Magnificently receiv'd by the Inhabitants and loaden with golden Crowns he landed his Men with which he March'd straight towards Syracuse His Marches to Syracuse Fleet ready prepar'd for an Engagement Sailing with him all along upon the Coast When he came near to Syracuse the Carthaginians because they had sent away 30 of their Vessels for necessary Provisions durst not venture a Battle with those that remain'd so that Pyrrhus came to Syracuse without any opposition The * Part of the 〈◊〉 Island being kept by Thynio and the rest of the City by the Syracusians and Sosistrates For he had under his Command Agrigentum and many other Cities and above 10000 Soldiers And having then reconcil'd Thynio and Sosistratas and the Syracusians and brought them all to a right understanding among themselves he was thereupon highly Esteem'd and Applauded The King receiv'd Weapons Engines and other Furniture and Provisions which was in the City and 120 Deck'd Ships and 20 open Vessels * But the Palace belonged to Enneres Something here wanting for it seems to have no coherence with what is precedent or subsequent The whole Navy therefore with those he brought along with him consisted of 200 Sail. Whilst he was thus imploy'd Ambassadors came from the Leontines sent to him from Heraclidas the Governor with promise to deliver up the City into his hands with the Garisons and 4000 Foot and 500 Horse There were then many others at Syracuse who promis'd to deliver up their Cities to Pyrrhus and to join with him in the War He receiv'd them all Graciously and sent them back to their several Countries hoping now shortly to be Lord of Lybia 12 The Port of Corinth is call'd Lechoeum 13. Brennus King of the Gauls made an inroad into Macedonia with an Hundred and forty thousand Targateers and Ten thousand Horse and with a great multitude of other foreign Rabble and many Merchants together with Two thousand Carts and Carriages He made great havock and slaughter with a design to ruine them utterly at last he broke About 〈◊〉 〈…〉 cond Olymp 125. Ant. Ch 279. Vid. Justin lib. 24. C. 6 7 8. The Gauls make an inroad into Macedonia into Greece and fully propos'd to rifle the Temple at Delphos By frequent Engagements he lost * A Myriad is Ten thousand Brennus kill himself The Gauls all perish The Acts of Pyrrhus in Sicily Myriads of his Men and he himself receiv'd Three desperate wounds Being near his end he call'd his Army together and made a Speech to the Gauls and advis'd them to kill both him and all the rest of the wounded Men and to burn all their Carriages and return home with all speed and make Cichorius their King Brennus at length after he had swill'd down abundance of Wine ran himself through the Body Cichorius as soon as he had buried Brennus knock'd all the wounded Men on the Head that were like to be starv'd with Hunger and perish by the Cold to the number of Twenty thousand and return'd with the rest the same way they came But the Grecians that lay in ambush in the strait and narrow passages cut off all their Rear and took all their Bag and Baggage marching forward to Thermopilae they left there behind them Twenty thousand more for want of Food at length as they were passing through the Country of the Dardanians they all perish'd and not one Man return'd to his own Country 14. But Pyrrhus when he had settled all things in Syracuse and Leontinum march'd with his Army towards Agrigentum and while he was in his March he was told by some that came off Shipboard that they had driven out the Carthaginian Garison that Phintias might not Govern them and promis'd they would deliver the City into his hands and join with him as Confederates in the War Having therefore receiv'd the Forces he marcht straight to Agrigentum and receiv'd the City and Soldiers from Sosistratus to the number of 8000 Foot and 800 Horse nothing inferior to the Epirots And now he took into his protection 30 Cities which were under the Command of Sosistratus Afterwards he sent to Syracuse for the Engines of Battery and all the Arms and Darts and when they were brought to him he marched into the Territories of the Carthaginians having an Army with him of 30000 Foot and 1500 Horse and some Elephants And First he took in Heraclea a
vehement Inflammation and a great Swelling at the bottom of her Belly which increas'd to that degree that it brought her into a violent Feaver The Physitians conceiv'd that it was an Ulcer about the neck of the Matrix Refrigerating Medicines and Plaisters therefore were apply'd to bring down and cool those hot burning Tumors upon the Seventh day the Humour burst and out started from the Privy Parts of Heraides a Man's Yard with the Testicles compleat This hapned when neither Physitian nor any other Stranger was present but only the Mother and Two Servants who with the strangeness of the thing were struck into a Maze However they made it their Care and Business to cure her and kept all private to themselves And when she was recover'd she still wore a Womans Habit and manag'd the Affairs of the House as Wives use to do But those who were privy to what had hapned suspected her to be an Hermaphrodite And so tho' formerly in carnal Embraces with her Husband there might be no natural copulation yet she had been seen frequently to have the carnal knowledge of Women In the mean time while all things were kept secret Semiades returns and demands his Wife as was very fit and reasonable And being continually urgent and pressing for the society of his Wife the Father refus'd and yet was asham'd to declare the reason which occasion'd great dissention so far as that the Husband resolv'd to sue the Father for his Wife So that this wonder was expos'd to the publick view like a Play upon the Stage by the means of a criminal Accusation The Person contended for was present in Court when the Matter was Banded to and fro on either parties behalf Upon which the Judges were in doubt whether the Power and Authority of the Husband over the Wife should be preferr'd before that of the Father over the Daughter At length when they were ready to give Sentence that the Wife should abide with her Husband she discover'd the truth of the whole matter and with great boldness and assurance of Mind threw off her feign'd Habit and discover'd her self to be a Man to all that were there present and in a surly manner utter'd these words Can any compel one Man to Marry another Upon which all were amaz'd and set up a shout of Admiration at the strangeness of the thing Heraides being now discover'd afterwards as is reported chang'd her Womans Attire and put on the Habit of a young Man And it 's likewise said that the Physitians when they saw those parts of the Woman judg'd that the nature of the Male lay hid in the Womb of the Female in a place in shape like an Egg and that in the thin skarf or skin that wrap'd about the Yard was an unusual hole through which the Urine pass'd And that therefore they declar'd that the place first being pierc'd and made like an hollow pipe should be turn'd into a green Wound and at length brought to a Scab and when the Yard was reduc'd to it's proper shape that sutable Remedies should be apply'd for the cure of the Patient Heraides was afterwards call'd Diophantus and serv'd in the King's Camp in a Regiment of Horse and then resided with the King at Abas At that time therefore was Alexander ' s Camp the meaning of the Oracle understood which was before dark and obscure when the King came to Abbas where this Hermaphrodite was Born It 's reported that Semiades at length through love he bore to her upon the account of their former familiarity and through shame of his unnatural Marriage was able to bear up no longer but after he had left all his Goods to Diophantus and made him his Heir broke his Heart and died So she that had been a Woman carry'd it with the courage of a Man and he that was ever a Man appear'd to be more pusillanimous than any Woman The like to this fell out about 30 Years after in the City of * In Peloponnesus Epidaurus There was a young Maid in Epidaurus as the report goes an Orphan whose name was Callo This Maid had no passage in her privy parts but about the Pecten there was a place like an issue through which the Urine pass'd ever from the time of her Birth When she came to a mature Age she was Married to one of the Citizens with whom she liv'd two Years and tho' she was not capable of natural Embraces as a Woman yet she was forc'd to endure those that were preternatural or besides nature But afterwards a Tumor arose near the Pecten which put her to exceeding torment so that many Physitians were sent for to consult together and all despair'd of Curing her But an Apothecary undertook the Cure and made an incision in the place whence came forth a Mans Yard with Testicles but solid without any passage And when all were amaz'd at the strangeness of the thing the Apothecary suppli'd the parts with what was deficient First he made an incision into the end of the Yard and pierc'd it even to the Uretor and thrusting down a small silver * Probe Instrument brought away the Urin and other excrementitious humours But the place where the Issue was he first turn'd into a green Wound and then heal'd it up Having perform'd this extraordinary Cure he demanded a double reward For he said he had undertaken to Cure a sick Woman and had now set right a young Man Callo hereupon laid aside her Wheel and other effeminate Imployments and took upon her the Name of Callon adding only the last Letter N to her former Name Some say that before her Transformation she was the Priestess of Ceres and because she shew'd to Men those things that were not to be seen this judgment fell upon her for her Prophaness They report that at Naples and several other places the like hath happen'd not that the two Sexes of Man and Woman are really form'd by Nature in two several shapes for that is impossible but that Nature is deceiv'd in fashioning the Members of the Body to the amazement and deceit of the beholders We have therefore judg'd these strange Events which are brought down to us both by Writings and Traditions worthy to be taken notice of in respect both of their pleasure and profit to the readers For many looking upon such things as these as Monsters in Nature are thereby infected with a kind of Superstition Not only private Men but whole Cities and Nations For it 's reported that a little before the beginning of the Martian War there dwelt an Italian near Rome who having Marry'd such a one as is before describ'd complain'd to the Senate upon which they out of a fond Superstition and perswaded thereunto by the Truscan Augures order'd the Hermaphrodite to be burnt And thus they say this poor Creature was most unjustly doom'd to destruction and was ignorantly judg'd a Monster because she had some resemblance of both Sexes And not
the Soldiers were no sooner got to their Quarters but news was brought that about 80 Slaves had caus'd a Tumult to be rais'd and had cut the Throat of Publius Clonius a Roman Knight and that now their number was much increas'd And to aggravate the matter the Praetor being ill advis'd had disbanded most of his Army by reason whereof he was so slow that he gave time to the Rebels the more to strengthen themselves However he march'd out against them with those he then had As soon as he pass'd the River Alba he turn'd aside from the Fugitives who were then lodg'd upon Mount Caprianus and arrived at Heraclea Upon this a Report being spread of the Cowardice of the General as if he durst not attack them very many Slaves were encouraged to join in the Defection Many therefore flocking in furnishing themselves as well as they could for a Battel there were above 800 in Seven days time that took up Arms. And presently after they amounted to 2000. But the General at Heraclea being inform'd that their number was increasing sent Marcus Titinius as chief Commander against them inforcing him with 600 Men out of the Forts at Enna This Titinius fought the Rebels who having the advantage both of Place and Number routed him and kill'd many of his Men and the rest threw away their Arms and with much difficulty saved themselves by flight By this means the Runagades on a sudden got such a great number of Arms that they were more firmly resolved to persist in their Rebellion so that now most of the Slaves were in Arms. The Defection every day increasing the Number amounted in a short time so high as none ever suspected it could insomuch that within a few Days they were above 6000 who having now call'd a Council of War and debated Matters in reference to the Management of Affairs in the first place they chose a King call'd Salvius a Fortune-teller and one that in the Womens Sports and Shews with his Pipes acted the Part of a Fool and Madman But having now gain'd a Kingdom he wav'd living in Cities as being the Nurseries of Sloth and Effeminateness After he divided the Army into three Bodies over each of which he appointed a Captain and order'd them to make Inroads up and down in the Country and at a certain Time and Place all to join again in one Body By these Depredations they were so full of Horses and other Cattel that in a short time they had above 2000 Horse and no less than 20000 Foot but Men very Raw and Ignorant in Martial Affairs Among other attempts they fell upon Morgantina with great Fury which was a strong and well-fortify'd City and made many fierce and continual Assaults upon it The Roman General marching out in the Night as if he would relieve the City having with him about 10000 Men out of Italy and Sicily surpriz'd the Rebels busily employ'd in the Siege on a sudden and breaking into their Camp found but slender Guards but a great number of Prisoners and abundance of Plunder of all sorts and with great ease made himself Master of all and when he had rifled the Camp he march'd away towards Morgantina But the Rebels turning back upon him with great Fury and having the advantage of the higher Ground soon routed him and put all his Army to flight Whereupon the Rebells King commanded Proclamation to be made That none should be kill'd who threw away their Arms Upon which most cast them away and fled By this means Salvius both recover'd what he had lost in his Camp and gain'd a glorious Victory and much Spoil but there were not kill'd of the Italians and Sicilians above 600 which was occasion'd by the Moderation of the King but 4000 were taken Prisoners Upon this Victory many coming in flocking to Salvius his Army became double to what it was before and he was now absolute Master of the Field so that he again sat down before Morgantina and proclaim'd Liberty to all the Servants that were there But their Masters promising the same to them if they would be Faithful and join with them in the Defence of the Place they chose rather to accept of what was offer'd by their Masters and fought with that Resolution that they forced the Enemy to raise their Siege But the General afterwards making void all that was promised as to manumitting of the Servants occasion'd many to run away to the Rebels After this all the Slaves and Servants Olymp. 169. 1. Ant. Ch. 103. Florus lib. 3. c. 19. in the Territories of Aegista Lilybaeum were likewise infected with this Itch of Rebellion whose Leader was one Athenio a Valiant Man and a Cilicean This Man having the Charge and Management of the Concerns of two rich Brothers and being an Excellent Astrologer He first wrought upon those to join with him over whom he had some sort of Command to the Number of 200 afterwards those that were bordering round about so that in Five days time there were got together above 1000 who made him King and plac'd the Diadem upon his Head This Man resolv'd to order Matters and Affairs so as never any did before him For he receiv'd not all promiscuously that came in to him but only such as were of strong and healthful Bodies to bear Arms the rest he forc'd to continue in the Stations they were in and every one in his place diligently to apply himself to the Duty incumbent upon him By which means those that were with him had plentiful Provision He pretended that by the Stars the Gods foretold That he should gain the whole Kingdom of Sicily And therefore he was to spare spoiling of the Country destruction of the Cattel and Fruits of the Earth as being all his own At length having now got together above 10000 Men he was so daring as to besiege Lilybeum a City for strength look'd upon to be impregnable But finding it a vain thing to proceed he desisted from his Design pretending he did it by Command from the Gods by whom he was told That if they continu'd the Siege they would certainly fall into some sudden Misfortune Accordingly while he was preparing to draw off from the City a Fleet of Moors entred the Harbour who were sent to the Assistance of them of Lilybeum under the Command of one call'd Gomon who in the Night surprizing Athenio's Army now marching off and leaving the Siege kill'd a great number of them and wounded as many and so got into the Town This was the occasion that his former Prediction was highly admir'd and cry'd up by the Rebells At the same time great Disorders * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Proverb for all Kinds of Miseries and all sorts of Calamities overspread all Sicily For not only Servants but Freemen that were reduc'd to Poverty committed all sorts of Rapines and acts of Wickedness For they shamefully kill'd all before them whether Bond or Free that none might
one of the occasions of the first Messenian War See Sir Walter Rawley's His of the World Lib. 2. 1 part Cap. 27. Sect. 4 Began the 9. Olympiad 2. end d 14 Olymp. 5 began and ended in the time of Hezekiah Before Christ 741. Justin lib. 3. Paus lib. 4. c. 4. therefore of them all being lodg'd in them most submitted to them of their own accord and were observant to their Commands and went wheresoever they were ordered by them Polychares the Messenian a Man of noble Birth and very rich entred into a strict band of familiarity and friendship with Eucephnus the Spartan who taking upon him the care and protection of the Flocks and Shepherds began to covet what they had but his treachery was soon discovered for having sold some Oxen together with the Herdsmen themselves to foreign Merchants and pretending that Robbers carry'd them away by force it came to pass that the Merchants Sailing by the Coasts of Pelopponnesus towards Sicily by a sudden Storm were cast upon the Land Hereupon the Herdsmen taking advantage of the Night got off Shipboard and being well acquainted with the Place fled and made their escapes and when they came to Messena declar'd the whole business to their Master whereupon Polychares hid the Herdsmen and sent for Eucephnus from L 〈…〉 demon who when he came swore and impudently stood to it that the Shepherds and beâ—dsmen were some of them forcibly carried away by Robbers and the rest were kill'd upon which Polychares forthwith brought forth the Herdsmen At which Eucephnus was amaz'd and thus plainly convicted of falshood presently began to beg pardon and promis'd to restore all the Cattle and us'd many words to regain his Favour Polychares therefore out of regard to the Sacred ties of Friendship conceal'd the Fact and sent his Son with Eucephnus to Lacedaemon to recover the Cattle But Eucephnus disregardful of his Promises murther'd the Young man that was sent along with him to Sparta Polychares enrag'd at this bloody Act requir'd the Spartans to deliver up the Murtherer But the Lacedaemonians not willing to comply with his Demands sent the Son of Eucephnus with Letters to Messena wherein Polychares was order'd to come to Sparta and there to abide the Judgment of the Ephori and the Kings concerning the Matters whereof he complain'd but Polychares by way of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not obtaining Justice as some say Vid. Notes upon Paus L. 4. c. 4. Archias Actaeon This was a little before the first Messenian War Ant. Ch. 741. So Petavius de Rac. Tempor c. 12. Retaliation kill'd the Son of Eucephnus and drove away a Prey of Cattle out of the Countrey of Sparta 15. Archias the Corinthian falling in Love with Actaeon first courted the Youth with Presents and fair Promises but being not able to prevail by reason of the Honesty of the Boy 's Father and the Sobriety and Modesty of the Young man himself he got a Company of his Friends together resolved to do that by Force which he could not obtain by Intreaty and fair Means Having therefore made himself drunk with those he had brought along with him he was hurried on to that degree by his Love-passion that he broke forceably into the House of Melissus and took away the Boy by force but his Father with his Houshold Servants laying hold of his Son to detain him and both parties earnestly striving to get him one from the other the poor Child among them was pull'd in pieces so that the sufferings of the Child and the manner of it occasion'd both Grief and Admiration at one and the same time For the Youth came to the like end with him * Actaeon was torn in pieces by his own Dogs Agathocles that bore the same Name both of them being destroy'd much in the same manner by those that came in to their assistance 16. Agathocles to whom was committed the care of building of a Temple to Minerva laid out the Money out of his own Purse but he pick'd out the best and largest of the Stones and built for himself a sumptuous and stately House But the Power of the Goddess made it self evident in destroying Agathocles with a Thunderbolt and burning his House and the Geomorians confiscated his Goods although his Heirs made it clear and evident that he had not imbezill'd any of the Sacred Treasure They consecrated likewise the Carcass of his House and made it a Place inaccessable which is now call'd Embrontaeum 17. Pompilius King of Rome liv'd peaceably all his Days and some say he was a hearer Numa Pompilius Ant. Ch. 712. 15 Tear of Hezek Deioces of Pythagoras and that he had his Laws concerning Religion from him and many other things which much advanc'd his Reputation and therefore though he was a Stranger he was sent for to take upon him the Crown 18. Deioces King of the Medes when all sorts of Wickedness abounded was eminent for Justice and all other Virtues 19. The Sybarites were addicted to Gluttony and Voluptuousness and such was their Siberites strife and study to be Luxurious that they lov'd the Ionians and Thuscans above all other Strangers because those among the Greeks and these among the Barbarians were most Luxurious and Effeminate It 's said that Mindyrides was the most Voluptuous of any of the Sybarites for when Clisthenes King of Sicyon was Victor in the Race with Chariots drawn with four Horses and had proclaim'd by the Cryer That whosoever would Marry his Daughter a most beautiful Lady should come to Sicyon at a certain Day appointed this Mindyrides loos'd from Sibaris in a Vessel of above Fifty Oars on a side and furnish'd Myndirites it with Rowers out of his own Family of whom some were Fishermen and the rest were * Or Faulkners Fowlers and when he came into the Haven at Sicyon that he not only far surpass'd all his Rivals for State and Grandeur but likewise the King himself although the whole City for Vain-glory most profusely contributed their Wealth to Clisthenes And being after his arrival presently entertain'd at Supper and ask'd by one who should sit next to him by the Voice of an Herald he caus'd it to be proclaim'd That he would sit next to the Bride or by himself alone 20. Hippomenes Archon of Athens when his * Daughter had play'd the Whore punish'd Hippomenes Her name was Limone See Ovid. Epist in Ibis Solaque Limone paenam ne senserit illam Et tua dente ferox viscera carpit equus Time of Heze 6th Year her after a most cruel and inhumane Manner for he shut her up in a Stable with a Horse for some days kept without Meat which through want of Food at length eat up the miserable and unfortunate Lady 21. Arcesilaus King of Cyrene being grievously afflicted with many pressing Calamities consulted the Oracle at Delphos to whom Apollo answer'd That the Gods were angry
Croesus the King of Lydia and tho' he slew him against his Will yet he said that he himself who kill'd him was not worthy to live and therefore intreated Croesus not to spare him but forthwith to cut his Throat at his Son's Sepulchre Craesus indeed at the first was in a rage at Adrastus for the death of his Son and threatned to burn him alive but when he perceiv'd that the young Man did not seek to avoid punishment but rather voluntarily offer'd his Life as a Sacrifice to the dead his Anger was appeas'd and he pardon'd him complaining of his own misfortune and not of any purpose or design in the young Man However Adrastus went privately to Atys his Sepulchre and there kill'd himself 33. Croesus King of Lydia pretending to send Eurybatus the Ephesian to Delphos sent him in Croesus truth with a great Sum of Money into Peloponnesus to hire Soldiers but Eurybatus fled to Cyrus King of Persia and discover'd to him all Craesus his designs and therefore this Treachery of Eurybatus was so remarkable among the Grecians that when they would upbraid any Man with a base Action they call him Eurybatus 34. Cyrus believing that Croesus was a Religious Man because a sudden storm of Rain from Heaven extinguish'd the Fire in the Pile whereon he was burnt and calling to mind the saying of Solon carry'd Croesus along with him using him with all Honour and Respect and made him one of his Privy Council conceiving him to be a prudent Man who had familiarly convers'd with so many and such eminent Persons for Wisdom 35. Servius Tullius King of Rome Reign'd 44 years and out of his own virtuous disposition Servius Tullius order'd many things for the good of the Commonwealth 36. When Thericles was chief Magistrate at Athens in the 61 Olympiad Pythagoras the Philosopher Olymp. 61. Pythagoras flourish'd having attain'd to the highest pitch of Wisdom a Man worthy to have his Memory Eterniz'd if ever any other Philosopher deserv'd it he was born a Samos tho' some say at Tyrrhenum His Speeches were utter'd with so much Grace and force of persuasion that almost the whole City daily gaz'd upon him as if some God had been before them and a great concourse of People came from all parts to hear him And he was not only eminently eloquent but very sober and grave and was a wonderful Example for young Men to imitate in the course of their Lives in that respect and all that he convers'd with he dissuaded from vain Pomp and Luxury all the Inhabitants of that Country through plenty and fulness of all things among them being given to effeminacy and filthiness both of Body and Mind This Pythagoras when he heard that Pherycides once his Master was very sick in the Island Delos he forthwith sail'd out of Italy thither where after he had for some time cherish'd the Old Man and had us'd his utmost endeavour to restore him to health at length through Old Age and the violence of his distemper he dy'd and Pythagoras carefully bury'd him and so having perform'd the Office and Duty of a Son as to a Father he return'd into Italy 37. The Pythagoreans if any of their Society fall into decay divide and contribute The Pythagorians Love and Kindness one to another proportions of their Goods to him that is so in want as if he were their Brother and this they do not only as to them that are daily conversant with them but likewise to all others of the same Sect and Profession wherever they be And therefore one Clineas of Tarentum when he understood that Prorus a Cyrenian and a Pythagorean by some misfortune or other had lost all his Estate and was become exceeding poor he past over out of Italy to Cyrene with a considerable sum of Money and made up the loss of his Patrimony tho' he had never seen him before but only understood by hear-say that he was a Pythagorian And it 's reported that many others have done the like And they have not only supply'd their Companions with Monies in their wants but have hazarded their Persons with them in the most dangerous times For in the Reign of Dionysius the Tyrant it 's reported that one Phintias a Pythagorean when by the contrivance of the Tyrant he was to be led to execution desir'd of Dionysius but a few days to settle his Houshould Affairs and promis'd that in the mean time he would leave one of his friends to suffer in his stead if he return'd not Dionysius hereupon wondring whether any such friend could be found who would be willing to be cast into Goal for his friend Phintias presently call'd for one of his Scholars call'd Damon a Pythagorean who forthwith without Phintias and Damon willing to dye one for another any budging became his Hostage to dye in his room Many there were that commended this singular demonstration of Love and Kindness to his Friend others condemn'd it as a foolish and rash Act. But at the day appointed all the People flock'd together very earnest to see whether he that left his pledge would perform his word But the day drawing near to an end every body began to despair and Damon was led forth to execution and then on a sudden at the very last moment of the day Phintias came running in This wonderful Friendship and Kindness one for another was admir'd by all and Dionysius pardon'd the condemn'd Person and desir'd that he himself might be taken into the Society 38. The Pythagoreans had a great Art in improving their Memories and to that end employ'd their utmost Care and Diligence For the first thing they did constantly after they rose out of their Beds in a Morning was to recollect and call to mind every thing they had done the day before from the Morning to the Evening and if they had time and leisure they would go back to examine the Actions of the Second Third and Fourth day and sometimes further conceiving it very helpful and advantagious for the improving of Memory and increase of Knowledge 39. These Philosophers inur'd themselves to abstinence by this means They prepare all sorts of Delicacies and Rarities such as Tables are furnish'd with at Solemn Feasts after they have gaz'd upon them for a considerable time on purpose to whet their Appetite which naturally desires in such cases to be gratify'd on a sudden the Table is order'd to be whip'd-away and they themselves thereupon withdrew without tasting any of the Dainties 40. Pythagoras commanded his Disciples to forbear taking an Oath as much as they Oath could but when they had once taken it to be careful to keep it Having likewise regard to what was convenient even in the Acts of Venus he advis'd to abstain from Women in Summer time and to be moderate and sparing in Winter for he look'd upon all carnal Copulation to be hurtful but if it were frequent he said it impair'd the strength
wholly intent on scraping up Money together he wickedly put many to death he gave to Timotheus Fifty and King Demetrius Seventy Talents and promis'd in a short time to pay other 400 Talents and besides to add to them 600 more At which discerning that the Cappadocians were greatly incens'd he began to Rob and Spoil every Body and Confiscate the Goods of the Nobility and having Treasur'd up a vast Sum of Money he intrusted 400 Talents with the Pirenians to serve him at a Turn and Change of Fortune which were afterwards faithfully repaid him 79. Ptolemy the Elder having presently by the multitude of his Forces penn'd up his * Euergetes Brother by a * In the City Ladithus Ush An. 465. Before Ch. 159. close Siege and reduc'd them to the utmost Extremity yet pardon'd him induc'd thereunto both by his natural Clemency and the nearness of Relation and his awe and fear of the Romans And he did not only pardon him but entred into a League with him according to which he was to be content as the younger Brother with Cyrene and with a certain proportion of Wheat every Year And thus a War between Brothers which had wholly alienated their Affections one from another and was continu'd to the utmost hazard of them both was on a sudden ended upon moderate Terms and Conditions 80. When Orofernes discern'd that his Affairs declin'd much to the worse he resolv'd to Orofernes Ush An. ib. Before Ch. 159. satisfie his Mercenary Soldiers as soon as he could lest they should Mutiny for want of their Pay But being at present straitn'd through scarcity of Money he was necessitated to rifle Jupiter's Temple scituated at the Foot of Mount Ariadne which before had been ever preserv'd Sacred and Inviolable and by this means he paid his Soldiers all their Arrears 81. Prusias King of Bithynia being altogether disappointed in his Design of taking Attalus destroy'd and laid waste the Sacred Grove call'd Nicheporius which lay under Prusias the Walls of the * Pergamus City and rifled the Temple it self and took away the Statues and the Images of the Gods and among the rest the famous Statue of Aesculapius said to be one of the curious Pieces of Phipomachus and robb'd the Place of all its sacred and consecrated Goods and Treasure For which sacrilege the Gods in a short time after inflicted upon him deserv'd punishment For most of his Land Army perish'd by the Bloody Flux and the like Calamity hapned to his Naval Forces for by a sudden Storm in the Propontis most of his Ships with their Soldiers and Rowers together were Sunk and some few were cast upon the Land and Shipwrackt And these were the first punishments inflicted upon Prusias for his Impiety 82. The Cretians arriving at Siphnus besieg'd the City and the Inhabitants partly A City in one of the Cyclides call'd Syphus now hear Crete through fear and partly through feign'd and and deceitful promises admitted them into the City the Cretians first promising that none of the Inhabitants should receive the least prejudice but when they were enter'd according to the usual Treachery and Perfidiousness of the Cretians they both carri'd them all away Captives and rifled and robb'd all the Temples of the Gods and so loaded with spoil hois'd up Sail and made back for Crete But in a short time after they paid Dear for this Treachery the Gods presently executing Vengeance upon them for their Impiety for out of fear of some Enemies that overpowr'd them in Shipping they were forc'd to loose out of Harbour in the Night and most of their Ships by a sudden Storm were sunk at Sea and others were cast upon Land and dasht in pieces upon the Rocks where all in them miserably perished some few that consented not to this perfidious dealing escap'd 83. Philip the Son of Amyntas coming to a Kingdom then Subject and Tributary to the Illyrians by his Arms and skill in Martial Affairs restor'd it to its former Liberty Philip. and by his mild and gentle Usage of those he subdu'd he enlarg'd his Kingdom above any that was in Europe For having beaten the Athenians in a great Battle who contended with him for the Principality of Greece he buried all their dead that fell in the Fight whom they had left in the open Field and sent back above 2000 Prisoners to their own Country without any Redemption So that they who before had contended with him hearing of his generous Usage of their fellow Citizens voluntarily yielded up to him the Sovereignty of Greece and so what he could not accomplish by so many Battles and Hazards meerly by his Mildness and Humanity he obtain'd with the free and unanimous Consent of his Enemies But what he had got he afterwards maintain'd by striking a Fear and Terrour into the Hearts of his Enemies for he raz'd the Populous City of Olynthus to the Ground In the same manner his Son Alexander by the Ruine of Thebes deterr'd the Lacedemonians and Athenians who were plotting against him from their design'd Revolt And his Civil and generous Usage of the Prisoners in the Persian War was such that he gain'd the Hearts of the Asiaticks not so much by his Valour as his Mildness and Humanity But in later times the Romans thirsting after a Universal Monarchy in a great measure obtain'd their ends by the force of their Arms but their Clemency towards such as they had Conquer'd added much to the increase and inlargement of their Conquests For they were so far from Cruelty or being Rigorous in executing punishment upon those they had Subdu'd that they seem'd to carry it towards them rather as Friends than as Enemies For when the Conquer'd expected the utmost severity of Revenge from the Conquerors they left no room for any others to exceed them in Humanity and Clemency For some they made Free of the City with others they join'd in Affinity by Marriages others they set Free to Govern according to their own Laws and to sum up all none underwent any severity by being Conquer'd farther than what was fit And therefore upon the account of this extraordinary Clemency Kings Cities and Countreys generally sheltred themselves under the Protection of the Romans But when they were Lords almost of the whole World then they strengthen'd and confirm'd themselves in their Dominions by severity and razing of Towns and Cities to strike a Terrour into their Enemies For they utterly destroy'd Corinth in Achaiah Carthage in Africa Numantia in Spain and rooted up the Kingdom of Macedonia in the Ruine of Perseus and became a Terror to many 84. The Romans make it their great Care that the Wars they begin be upon just grounds and therefore never resolve upon any thing rashly or inconsiderately 85. Publius Scipio who was afterwards sirnamed Africanus and was then a * Colonel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tribune when almost all the rest of the Romans made light of their Terms and
was such that never a day pass'd Damophilus wherein he scourg'd not his Slaves without the least cause or occasion And his Wife Megallis was as cruel as himself towards the Maid-Servants and other Slaves that fell into her Hands The Slaves therefore being thus provok'd by the cruelty of their Master and Mistriss concluding they could not be brought into a worse condition than they then were rose up all on a sudden 6. In Sicily Demophilus had a young Daughter of a very gentle and courteous Disposition Demophilus who made it her business to relieve and heal those Slaves that had been abus'd and scourg'd by her Parents and to bring Meat to them that were in prison so that she was wonderfully belov'd by all the Servants insomuch as in remembrance of her former Kindness all had compassion of her and were so far from offering any violence or injury to the young Maid that every one of them made it their business to preserve her Chastity unviolated and chose some out of their own company the most expeditious amongst them to conduct her to Catana to some of her Friends 7. After Eunus was declar'd King he put many to death and spar'd only those that Eunus for the sake of his Prophecies commended him at their Feasts to which his Master Antigenes us'd to bring him to make sport those likewise that were so kind as in a jest to give him part of the Dainties with them he preserv'd so that the strange turn of Fortune was to be admir'd and that Kindness shew'd to such mean and inconsiderable Persons should occasion so great Favour and Respect at a time when it was so welcome and seasonable 8. About the same time broke out another Rebellion of the Slaves one Cleon a Sicilian Cleon a Slave raises a commotion in Sicily near Mount Taurus inur'd to Robberies from a Boy being appointed to look to the Horses in their Pastures in Sicily beset the High Ways and committed hainous Murders up and down the Country This Fellow hearing of the good Fortune of Eunus and his Followers having persuaded some of the neighbouring Slaves to join with him on a sudden Revolted Wasted and Spoil'd the City Agrigentum and all the neighbouring Country round about 9. In Asia Attalus being newly come to the Crown began to manage Affairs in a way Attalus kiâ— Cruelty far different from all the former Kings for they by their Clemency and Kindness to their Subjects Reign'd prosperously and Happily themselves and were a Blessing to the Kingdom but this Prince being of a Cruel and Bloody Disposition oppress'd his Subjects with many Slaughters and grievous Calamities Suspecting that some of his own Relations that were Potent and Men of Interest were Plotting against him he resolv'd to rid himself of them to that end he pickt out some of the most Covetous and Bloody Fellows from among his Barbarian Mercenary Soldiers and hid them in certain Vaults in the Palace and then sending for such of his Friends and Kindred as he was most jealous of when he had them there he cut all their Throats by those bloody Executioners of his Cruelty and forthwith ordered their Wives and Children to be put to death after the same manner The rest of his Father's Friends that either had Command in the Army or were Governors of Cities he either caus'd to be treacherously Assassinated or seizing them Murther'd them and their Families together Being therefore hated not only by his Subjects but by all the neighbouring Nations all within his Dominions endeavour'd as much as they could to bring about a Revolution and Change of Government 10. Tiberius Gracchus was the Son of Tiberius who had been twice Consul and a Man Tiberius Gracchus very famous both as to the Sword and Gown He was likewise the Grandchild of Publius Scipio by his Daughter that Scipio who conquer'd Hannibal and the Carthaginians Being Nobly Born on both sides he excell'd all his equals in Age in sound Judgment and Elocution and indeed in all manner of Learning so that he was not afraid to enter the Lists with any that dar'd to oppose him 11. The Syrian Slaves cut off the Hands of those they took prisoners not at the Syrian Slaves Wrists but Hands and Arms together 12. The Senate dreading the Anger of the Gods consulted the Sibyl's Books and The Senate of Rome send Ambassadors to Sicily sent Ambassadors into Sicily who passed through the whole Island erected Altars to Jupiter Aetneus and offered solemn Sacrifices to him inclosing the Altars round with Stone Walls to exclude all but those of the several Cities who after the Customs of their own Country were us'd to offer Sacrifices to him 13. Gorgus was of * Morgantium sirnamed Cambalus a Principal Man for Wealth and Now Georgeto in the Kingdom of Naples Authority in the City Going abroad to Hunt and falling in amongst a company of Robbers he took to his Heels to get into the Town who being by chance met by Gorgus his Father on Horseback the Father forthwith leapt off his Horse and desir'd his The Love of a Father and a Son Son to Mount and make away with all speed into the City but as the Son was not willing to prefer his own preservation before that of his Father's so the Father could not bear the death of his Son by avoiding the Danger himself And thus while they were with Tears intreating one another and striving to exceed each other in endearing natural Affections the Love of the Father in contest with the Love of the Son they were overtaken by the Thieves and both kill'd upon the place 14. Zibelmius the Son of Diegylis following his Father's steps in Cruelty enrag'd at Zibelmius his Cruelty what the Thracians had done proceeded to that degree of implacable Severity and height of Wickedness that he put to death all that had displeased him with their whole Families and upon most slight and frivolous occasions cut some in pieces Limb from Limb Crucify'd others and Saw'd several asunder He kill'd likewise little Children before their Parents Faces and Infants at their Mothers Breasts and having cut them in pieces disht up their Members as Curiosities for their Kindred to Feast upon reviving as it were those Antient Repasts and Entertainments of * Tereus a King of Thrace See the Story of Tereus Progne and Philomela Ovid Met. Lib. 6. His punishment by his own Subjects Tereus and * Thyestes Feasted by his Brother Atreus King of Mycena with his own Sons begotten upon Atreus his Wife Ovid. Met. Thyestes At length the Thracians seiz'd upon his Person but it was scarce possible to punish him according to his Deserts For how could one body suffer the punishment justly due for the Cruelties and Injuries committed against a whole Nation However to the utmost of their Power they repaid him with all the Scorn and Contempt and extremity of Torture upon his
Body they could invent 15. Ptolemy Physcon when he saw his Sister Cleopatra was so great an Enemy to him and Ptolemy Physco his barbarous Cruelty Justin c. 8. 39. Livy Olymp. 162. 4. Ant. Ch. 130. Val. Max. lib. 9. c. 2. This of Vales. Prag cited by Ush An. 494. Atheneus cited by Ush Ant. Ch. 128. Hegelocus Marsyas See Ush An. 495. Valesius his Fragments cited Ant. Ch. 139. could not revenge himself otherwise upon her contriv'd a most notorious piece of Villany for that purpose For he imitated the Cruelty of Medea Murdering her Son Memphites Begotten by himself who was then in Cyprus and a very young Boy And not content with this he committed a far more wicked Act For cutting off the Child's Limbs he put them in a Chest and deliver'd them to one of his Guard to be convey'd to Alexandria and whereas Cleopatra's Birth-day was then near at hand he commanded that in the Night next before that day he should set down the Chest at the Palace Gates which being accordingly executed Cleopatra made great lamentation and all the People were in a great Rage against Ptolemy 16. Atheneus Antiochus his General in a short time met with a just and due Reward for his Insolencies and Abuses in all places wherever he Quarter'd in his March For being the first that fled and forsook Antiochus in the heat of the Fight coming to some of the Towns where he had abus'd his Quarters all shut their Doors upon him and every one refus'd to help him either with Meat or Drink so that he wander'd up and down the Country till at length he was famish'd to death 17. Hegelochus General of Ptolemy Physco sent against Marsyas the Alexandrian General took him prisoner and cut off all his Army When Marsyas was brought before the King and all concluded that he would forthwith put him to some cruel death Ptolemy pardon'd him beyond all Mens expectation For now he began to repent of his former Cruelties and endeavour'd to regain the Peoples Love and Favour by acts of Clemency 18. Euemerus King of Parthia Born in Hyrcania exceeding all other Princes in Cruelty Euemerus omitted no sorts of Torments he could invent For many of the Babylonians upon slight grounds with their whole Families he made Slaves and sent them into Media to be Sold. He burnt likewise to the ground the Market-place and some of the Temples in Babylon and raz'd the fairest and most beautiful parts of the City 19. Alexander sirnam'd Zabinas when those Renown'd Captains Antipater Ponius and Alexander Zabinas cited Ush An. 498. Ant. Ch. 124. Aeropus * Revolted from him to Seleucus Demetrius Son of Nicanor Caius Sextius Revolted from him and seiz'd upon Laodicea he at length took the City However he Generously spar'd them all For he was of a mild and gentle Disposition and pleasing Temper and of a wonderful Affability in his Converse or Discourse and was therefore greatly Belov'd of every Body 20. When Caius Sextius had Taken the City of the Gauls and Sold the Inhabitants for Slaves One Crato who was led in Chains with the rest came up to the Consul as he sate upon the Tribunal and told him He had ever been a Friend to the Romans and for that reason had suffer'd many Injuries and had undergone many Stripes and Scourgings from his fellow Citizens Upon which Sextius forthwith with all the demonstration of Kindness as of a Kinsman Released him from his Bonds and Restor'd him his Goods And for his Good Will to the Romans gave him Power to set free 900 of the Citizens such as he himself thought fit For the Consul was more Generous and Bountiful to Crato than he expected to the end the Gauls might see how exactly Just the Romans were both in their Punishments and Rewards 21. Alexander not being very confident of the multitude both in regard of their Rawness Alexander Ush An. 498. this cited in Martial Affairs and their natural Inconstancy and hankring after Innovations would not adventure upon a pitcht Field but having got together as much Money as he could out of the Publick Treasuries and pillag'd the Temples resolv'd by Night to steal away into Greece But whilst he attempted by the help of some of his Barbarians to plunder Jupiter's Temple he was seiz'd upon and himself and whole Army had like to have been cut off but he soon escap'd out of their hands and made towards Seleucia But the Seleucians having heard before-hand the Brute of his Sacriledge shut their Gates against him Failing there of his purpose he went to Pisidium and never after departed from the Sea-Coast 22. After Caius Gracchus was kill'd by the hands of his own Servant Lucius Lucius Vitellius his Treachery to his Friend C. Gracchus Vitellius who had been one of his particular Friends was the first that got his Body and was so far from being troubl'd at his death that he cut off his Head and carry'd it to his own House thereby giving a remarkable Instance of his Cruelty and Covetousness For when Lucius * Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist lib. 33. c. 3. Opinius the Consul by Proclamation promis'd to Reward him that should bring to him Gracchus his Head with the weight of it in Gold Vitellius bor'd a hole in the Neck and drawing out the Brains poured in melted Lead in the room Then he brought the Head to Opinius and return'd with the promis'd Reward but was afterwards hated by all to the day of his death as a Betrayer of his Friend The Flacci were also all put to death 23. In Lybia the two Kings drew up their Armies one against another and Jugurtha Jugurtha and Adherbal Two Brothers Kings at War routed the Numidians in a great Battle slaying many of them whereupon Adherbal his Brother fled to Cirta where being straitly Besieg'd he sent Ambassadors to Rome to intreat them not to suffer a King that was their Friend and Ally to be utterly ruin'd Whereupon the Senate forthwith sent Messengers into Numidia with Orders to Jugurtha to raise his Siege which he disregarding they sent another Embassy vested with Power and Authority but that was as fruitless as the other and at length Jugurtha straitly blocking up the City round through extremity of Famine forc'd it to a Surrender and most unnaturally slew his Brother as he was going out of the City with his Children and leaving the Kingdom beseeching him only to spare his Life neither regarding the Laws of Nature and Consanguinity nor of Arms in sparing those that beg for Quarter He likewise scourg'd all the Italians to death that sided with his Brother 24. Publius Scipio Nasica the Consul was a Man renown'd both for his Virtue and Nobleness Scipio Nascica his Commendation of Birth for he was of the same Family with Africanus and Hispanicus of whom the first Conquer'd Africa the other Asia and the third Spain and from thence gain'd the several Sirnames
An. 522 523. thought he had now gain'd a most convenient opportunity for some Commotion or other and therefore that he might indear the Soldiery to him he permitted them to make incursions into the Countreys of their Allies and make what havock they pleas'd therein and to take Captive every one they met withal The Soldiers very readily embrac'd the License so that within few days they had scrambl'd together abundance of Wealth by their plundering But those that had been spoil'd of their Goods went to meet the Consul and made bitter complaints to him of the Injuries they had receiv'd who being much troubl'd at the business commanded them to follow him and he himself would see restitution made to every one that had suffer'd and accordingly with Threats he commanded Fimbria to return forthwith to the Owners whatsoever had been taken away from them But Fimbria laid all the blame upon the Soldiers who did this without any Commission from him but covertly he advis'd them not to regard the Consul's Command nor suffer that to be taken from them which they had got by the Law of Arms Upon this when Flaccus commanded restitution to be made of their Rapine adding threatning to his commands the Soldiers refus'd to Obey so that there follow'd a great Mutiny in the Camp 12. Fimbria having again cross'd the Hellespont animated his Soldiers to Rapines and Fimbri Ush An. 524. all kind of Villanies exacted Moneys from the Cities and divided it amongst the Soldiers who having obtain'd an uncontroul'd License did what they listed and allur'd moreover with the hopes of a large Income lov'd Fimbria as one who had deserv'd extreamly well of the whole Army Moreover those Cities that had stood out against him when he had taken 'em he gave them to the plunder of his Soldiers and so he dealt Ush An. ibi with * Nicomedia 13. The same Fimbria being admitted into Cizicum professing himself a Friend to the Fimbria Ush An. 523. Ant. Ch. 85. Place as soon as he was got in began to Impeach all the wealthiest of them and charge them with some Crime or other Two of these the principal Men of the City after he had pass'd Sentence on them he caus'd to be whipt with Rods to terrifie the rest and afterwards struck off their Heads and set their Goods to Sale and forc'd others out of Fear to give him all they had as a Ransom for their Lives 14. Cn. Pompeius addicted himself to Martial Affairs and inur'd himself to the hardships and Fatigues of War so that in a short time he became very expert in Military Matters For casting off all Sloth and Effeminateness he was always Night and Day doing something or other that was useful and advantagious for matters relating to War For he was very sparing in his Diet eat his Meat sitting and altogether forbore Baths and such like delights He allotted but a few Hours of the Night for Sleep and spent the rest in the Cares of a General relating to what he was to put in Execution the next Day so that by his constant forethoughts of the uncertain Events of War he became a most expert Commander And therefore whereas another could scarce in the same time sit himself to take upon him the Charge of an Army already rais'd in that time and much less he Rais'd them Train'd and Disciplin'd them And when the News of his famous Exploits was brought to Rome every Body at first reflecting upon his youth more than thinking upon his Valour slighted him supposing the Messengers stretcht in their Relations and made things look bigger than in truth they were But when the certain Event confirm'd the former Report the Senate sent out * Junius Brutus Junius against him whom he routed and put to Flight 15. Lucius Scipio's Army being corrupted Revolted and went over to Sylla Scipio Lucius Scipio now looking upon himself as a lost Man Sylla sent to him a Party of Horse to conduct him whithersoever he pleas'd Being therefore forc'd in a Moment to lay aside the Ensigns of his Authority he was forthwith by the courtesie of Sylla brought in a private Habit to the Place he desir'd But presently after he resum'd the Ensigns of his Authority and again Marcht forth with a considerable Army 16. In the mean time the Persons of the greatest Quality at Rome by false accusations were put to death amongst whom Quintus Mucius Scaevola the chief Priest a most honourable and virtuous Person came to an unworthy End only the Romans were fortunate in this that the High Priest dy'd not in the most Sacred Place For the cruelty of the Murderers was such that they laid him upon the very * Of Vesta Altar and there cut his Throat so that by his own Blood he extinguish'd that Fire that out of a Religious Devotion from Ancient times was ever kept Burning 17. The Names of those that were proscrib'd being fixt up in the Market-place on Proscriptions Liv. Epitom lib. 89. A remarkable Instance of one proscrib'd who glory'd over others a sudden a Multitude of People came flocking in to read it of whom very many pity'd those that were thus Condemn'd to die But one amongst the rest a most malicious and insolent Fellow glory'd over the miserable Condition of the afflicted and bawl'd out most spiteful words against them whom some incens'd Deity forthwith repaid with a just Revenge For by chance reading his own Name as one proscrib'd at the bottom of the Roll he presently threw his Gown over his Head and began to fly through the thickest of the People but being known to one that stood next to him who discover'd him to be one condemn'd he was instantly surrounded and seiz'd and then put to death to the great joy of all that heard of it 18. Cneius Pompeius being a long time Praetor in Sicily appli'd himself to the business Cn. Pompeius of the Courts of Justice and deciding both publick and private Controversies discharg'd his Office with so much diligence and integrity that none ever merited more Commendation For tho' he was but Two and twenty years of Age a time which might have drawn him off by foolish youthful Lusts yet he carri'd himself with so much gravity and sobriety all the while he was in Sicily that the Virtue of the young Man was much admir'd by all the Sicilians FRAGMENTS OUT OF The Lost Histories OF Diodorus Siculus CONCERNING EMBASSIES Published by Fulvius Ursinus LONDON Printed by Edw. Jones for A. and J. Churchill at the Black-Swan in Pater-Noster-Row 1699. To the READER THese few Fragments together with those of Polybius Dionysius Halicarnassus Dion Casseus and Appian were Publish'd in the Year of Our Lord 1581. By Fulvius Ursinus a Roman Born and Eminently Learn'd But for a further and more particular Account of 'em I refer the Reader to the Epistle to the Fragments of Valerius plac'd next before these And therefore have now no
Intelligence was brought to Alexander of these things he forthwith commanded his Foot in every Regiment to prepare Scaling Ladders and he himself march'd away with his Army to a City call'd Gaza which was next to the Camp and lay first in his way for it was said the Barbarians had fled into seven Towns of that Country Craterus he sent to Cyropolis the greatest of all the Cities and in which a very great number of the Barbarians had shelter'd themselves The King commanded him to encamp near the City and to fortifie his Camp with a Trench and Wall drawn round and place such Engines upon his Bulwarks as he saw occasion to use that the Townsmen being busie in assaulting Craterus might have no leisure to come in to the assistance of other Cities The King himself as soon as he came to Gaza forthwith at the first approach commanded his Men to set Scaling-Ladders round the Walls which were but of Earth and not very high Upon which the Slingers Darters and Archers together with the Foot made an Assault ply'd and gall'd them that defended the Walls with their Darts and shot out of the Engines so that by Showres of Darts and Arrows the Wall was presently clear'd of its Defendants and the Scaling-Ladders in a trice were set to the Walls and the Macedonians enter'd and put all the Men to the Sword for so Alexander had commanded but the Women and Children with the rest of the Prey they carry'd away Thence the King forthwith march'd to another City fortified much like unto Gaza which he took much after the same manner the very same day and dealt with the Prisoners after the same manner as with them at Gaza After this he made to a third City which he took the next day upon the first Assualt In the mean time while he was reducing these Cities with his Foot he sent away his Horse to two other neighbouring Cities with Orders to watch 'em lest the Inhabitants hearing of the taking of the Cities bordering upon 'em and oâ— the King 's near approach should fly and leave the Cities so as he should not be able to pursue with any hopes to overtake ' em And indeed it fell out as he thought which evidenc'd the sending forth of the Horse to be necessary For the Barbarians who still were possess'd of two other Cities seeing the Smoak of the City which was burnt and was over-against 'em besides some who escap'd out of the Overthrow brought them news of the City being taken with all speed in whole droves fled out of the Cities and fell in among the Horse that were sent forth and multitudes of 'em were knock'd on the Head The King having taken and raz'd these five Towns in the space of two days march'd away to Cyropolis the greatest of their Cities The Walls of this City were higher than any of the rest the Town being built by Cyrus And forasmuch as there were many stout Men and good Soldiers the Inhabitants of the Country were got together into this place the Macedonians could not easily like to the other places take it at the first Assault and therefore Alexander order'd that with the Battering-Rams and other Engines they shou'd batter the Walls and where-ever any Breach was made there forthwith to make an Assault But the King observing the Channel of the River which ran through the City like a little Brook to be then dry and not contiguous or near the Walls but affording a direct Passage for his Soldiers into the City he took with him his Guard Targateers Archers and the Agrians the Barbarians then busie in observing the Engines and those that manag'd 'em and secretly with few at first enter'd through the Channel into the City and broke down the Gates that were in that part and readily let in the rest of the Soldiers Upon which the Barbarians perceiving the City to be enter'd however set upon Alexander's Soldiers and fought and resolutely in which Conflict Alexander receiv'd a Blow on his Head and Neck with a Stone Craterus and many others were wounded with Darts and Arrows but at length the Barbarians were driven out of the Market-place In the mean time those that assaulted the Walls enter'd all being clear of those that should have defended them In the first Conflict at the entring of the City there were slain of the Enemy about eight thousand the rest for they were eighteen thousand that had there put in themselves fled into the Castle who after one day's siege for want of Water surrender'd themselves The seventh City the King took at the first Assault Ptolemy indeed says that it was surrender'd but Aristobulus relates that it was taken by storm and that all in it were put to the Sword Ptolemy writes that all the Prisoners were distributed in the Army and order'd to be kept bound till the King left the Country lest any one of 'em that revolted should be left behind While these things were on foot the Army of the Asian Scythians came to the Banks of the River * Not Genais near the Lake Meotis but another call'd Iaxartes See Pl. N. Hist l. 6. c. 16. Ganais because they heard that some of the Barbarians inhabiting beyond the River had revolted from Alexander and their aim therefore was that if there were any considerable Defection they likewise might act their part in falling upon the Macedonians At the same time Intelligence was brought that Spitamenes had besieg'd those that were left in Garison in the Castle of Patachades Alexander therefore sent Andromachus Medemenus and Caranus against Spitamenes with sixty Horse of the Social Band and eight hundred of the Mercenaries who were under the Command of Caranus But of Foot there were Fifteen hundred Mercenaries with them the King join'd in Commission one Pharnuches for an Interpreter a Lycian by Nation who was well skill'd in the Language of the Barbarians and therefore was judged a fit Person to transact matters with them The King having in the space of 20 days Wall'd the * Call'd Alexandria upon the Banks of Iaxartes call'd Tanais City he had before design'd to build gave it the Greek Mercenaries to be Inhabited by them and to such neighbouring Barbarians as had a mind to remove their Habitations and dwell there and to some of the Macedonians that were Disabled and unfit to bear Arms. Afterwards having Sacrificed to the Gods after the manner of his Country and exhibited the Gymnick Sports and Horse-Courses finding that the Scythians did not March back and leave the River but threw their Darts over for it was there very narrow and after their Barbarous manner gave out most opprobious and railing Language against Alexander as that he durst not fight with the Scythians and if he did he should find by experience how great a difference there was between the Scythians and the Barbarous Asiaticks The King being provok'd with these things resolv'd to pass the River and fall upon 'em and
of his Friends to marry the Daughters of the Chief Men among the Barbarians Arrianus lib. IV. Roxana the Daughter of Oxyartes was there likewise a Virgin ripe for Marriage * In the Rock before mentioned Sogdiana but Strabo says it was at the Rick in Bactria See before whom Alexander's Fellow-Soldiers judg'd to be the most Beautiful Lady of all Asia next to the Wife of Darius upon sight of her Alexander fell deeply in Love yet would not by any means use her dishonourably as a Captive neither did he disdain to take her for his Wife Which Act of Alexander I conceive was more worthy of Praise than Reprehension And for Darius's Wife who was esteem'd the most Beautiful Lady of all Asia he neither was tainted so much as with an unlawful Desire towards her or as a domineering Lord commanded her to his Bed though he was then in the Heat of his Youth and the highest pitch of Worldly Prosperity which two Conditions are apt greatly to provoke Men to be very injurious to others But he out of a Reverence to her Person spar'd her herein evidencing his great Continency and prompted likewise thereunto by a desire of his own Honour and Reputation 12. His breaking into India and his putting all to the Sword in the first Country he enter'd to be a Terrour to the rest Arrianus lib. IV. IN the middle of the Spring Alexander remov'd with his Army out of Bactria towards India and left Amyntas there with three thousand five hundred Horse and ten thousand Foot Having pass'd the Caucasus in ten days he came to Alexandria which he had built in Paropanisus at his first Expedition into Bactria and put out the Governour here for his ill Behaviour in the Place and then Peopled the City with more Inhabitants out of the Neighbouring Countries and such of his Macedonians as were grown unser â—ceable for the War and made Nicanor one of his Associates Governour of the City but appointed Tyriaspes Commander of the whole Region of Paropanisus and of all that Territory or Province as far as the River Cophene Thence he went to the City of Nicea and there offer'd Sacrifice to Minerva and then march'd to the River Cophene and sending an Herauld commanded Taxiles and the rest of the Governours of the Countries lying beyond the River to come to him Taxiles and other petty Princes came first and met him bringing him large Presents such as were most esteem'd in India promising likewise to send him five and twenty Elephants He there divided his Army and sent Hephestion and Perdiccas into the Country call'd Peucelaotis towards the River Indus together with the Troops of Georgias Clitus and Meleager and half the Horse of the Social Band and all the Mercenary Horse commanding them to take in by fair means or foul all the Towns which lay in their way and that when they came to the Bank of the River Indus they should prepare all things that were necessary to pass over And with them was sent Taxiles and other Commanders of those Parts to put in execution when they came to the River Indus what Alexander had commanded Astes the Governour of the Country of Peucelaotis offering to revolt lost both himself and the City which he put himself into for Hephestion came and besieg'd it and after thirty days time took it and killing Astes made one Sangaeus Governour of it who a little before forsaking Astes had fled over to Taxiles which made Alexander the more confide in him ever after Alexander with his Band of Silver Targeteers and the Horse of his Fellow Cavallers that went not with Hephestion and the Troop of Horse call'd Asseteri together with his Archers Agrians and Horse-Lancers march'd into the Country of the Aspians and Phyraeans and Arosacans and going on his way to the River Choes which was for the most part mountainous and rocky and having at last past that River he commanded Craterus to come after him fair and softly with the Foot and himself taking with him the whole Body of his Horse and eight hundred Macedonian Foot-Targeteers on Horseback he march'd away at a great rate because he heard that the People of the Country were fled some to the Mountains others to fenced Cities and all to make head against him Having set upon the first of these Cities that lay in his way those which came forth to oppose him he routed at the first Charge and drave them back into the Town but was himself wounded with a Dart in the Shoulder which pierc'd thro' his Breast-plate but the Wound was but slight the Breast-plate repelling the force of the Dart. Ptolemy Lagus and Leonatus were likewise wounded Then Alexander observing what part of the Wall was fittest to pitch upon for an Assault encamp'd close to the City just against that part The next day early in the morning the Macedonians took the outward Wall with little ado for the City was doubly wall'd At the inner Wall the Inhabitants made some resistance but when the Macedonians had once scal'd the Walls and the Townsmen felt the Arrows showing down about their ears not being able longer to endure the Soldiers within brake out of the Gates and ran every Man his way to the Mountains many of whom the Macedonians kill'd in the pursuit and all the Prisoners being in a rage because the King was wounded they put to the Sword Many escap'd to the Mountains which were not far off from the City Having laid the City level with the Ground he march'd away with his Army to Andaca another City 13. Of his Kindness to the City Nysa upon the account of his Descent from Bacchus Arrianus lib. IV. IN this Region into which Alexander entred lying between the Rivers Cophone and Indus is situated Nysa a City built as is reported by * Bacchus Dionysius at that time when he Commanded in India who this Dionysius was and when or from whence he brought in his Armies against the Indians I cannot conjecture Whether it was the Tâ—eban from Thebes or he from Tmolus in Lydia that led an Army from thence against the Indians But though he pass'd into so many Warlike Nations at that time altogether unknown to the Greeks yet he subdu'd none of them but the Indians This only I am satisfied in That those Fables that the Ancients have writ concerning the Gods are not too curiously to be pry'd into for such Writings as do not otherwise deserve much Credit yet when they happen to speak of the Gods they seem not to be altogether incredible As soon as Alexander came with his Army to Nysa they sent Acuphis the Chief Man of the City to him with thirty others of the Leading Men of the Place intreating him to leave the City free to the God Bacchus When the Ambassadors were introduc'd into the King's Pavilion and saw him as yet dusty with his March clad with all his Armour and his Helmet upon his Head and his Lance in
his Hand amaz'd at the sight of him they fell flat upon the Ground and were silent a long time together But after that Alexander had commanded them to rise and cheer up Acuphis thus began The Nysaeans intreat O King That in reverence to Bacchus you would leave the City free and the Inhabitants to Govern by their own Laws For Dionysius after he had conquer'd the Indians and was about to return to the Grecian Sea built this City for those Soldiers who were unserviceable for War being of Bacchus ' s Family as a perpetual Monument to Posterity of his Expedition and Victory as your Majesty has built Alexandria at Mount Caucasus and another in Egypt and many others some finish'd and others now in building having now perform'd much more than our Dionysius did And he call'd the City Nysa from his Nurse so nam'd and the Country Nysaea and the Mountain which hangs over the City he was pleas'd to call Meros which is a Thigh because according to the Fables he was cherish'd in Jupiter ' s Thigh Since that time we have dwelt in Nysa as a free City and have liv'd at ease under the Use of our own Laws And that this Place was built by Bacchus this one thing may be a Demonstration That Ivy grows no where in India but in this City This Speech of Acuphis was very pleasing to Alexander for he had a great desire those things should be believ'd that were related concerning Bacchus's Peregrination and wou'd have none to doubt but that Nysa was built by Bacchus because that he himself was now come as far as Bacchus ever came and was still desirous to go further than he ever did And he was of Opinion that the Macedonians out of Emulation to the Acts of Bacchus wou'd willingly with himself undergo further Toils and Labours He granted therefore Liberty to the Nysaeans and that they should Govern according to their own Laws And when he understood what their Laws were and how they were under the Government of an Aristocracy he commended their Constitution and commanded 'em to furnish him with three hundred Horsemen and send him a hundred of them that were of the Aristocracy who were three hundred in all such as he would chuse Acuphis was one of the Number of them that were pick'd out whom the King had made Governour of the whole Province of Nysaea 'T is reported that Acuphis smil'd at these Demands and that Alexander asking him why he laugh'd Acuphis answer'd How is it possible O King for the City to be well Govern'd when 't is stript of an hundred good Men all at once But if your Majesty have a Kindness for the City be pleas'd to accept of three hundred Horsemen and more if you think fit but as for an hundred of the best Men of the City which you desire be pleas'd to be content with two hundred of the worst that whensoever you return hither again you may find that the City has maintain'd and kept up her ancient State and Grandeur With these Words because he judg'd them prudently spoken Alexander was persuaded and commanded only the three hundred Horsemen to be sent him and for the three hundred of the Chief of the City he neither desir'd them nor any others in their stead But Acuphis his Son and his Nephew by his Sister were sent to Alexander Afterwards Alexander had a longing desire to see that City in which the Nysaeans boast there are some Monuments of Dionysius and to go likewise accompanied with some Horse of his Friends and a Regiment of Foot to the Mountain Meros that he might see the Hill grown over with Ivy and Laurel and the shady Groves that abounded with all sorts of wild Beasts The Ivy was a very pleasant Sight to the Macedonians having not seen any of a long time for India bears no Ivy neither those Places where Vines grow Of the Ivy they wore Garlands on their Heads singing Praise to Bacchus with all his Titles and Appellations Alexander there sacrific'd to Bacchus and feasted with his Friends 14. How having taken a strong City call'd Massaga he put to the Sword all the Mercenary Soldiers that had fought Valiantly Arrianus lib. IV. WHen the Barbarians heard of Alexander's coming they durst not abide him in a Body but brake up their Army and dispers'd themselves every one as they could into several Cities purposing there to stand upon their Guard Alexander march'd first with his Army to * Mazaga Massaga the greatest City of that †The Country of the Assacenians Country approaching therefore with his Army close to the City the Barbarians having got into the Town for their assistance seven thousand Mercenary Indians from the inner parts of India made a fierce Sally upon the Macedonians as they lay Encampt Alexander perceiving that the Fight was likely to be under the City Walls design'd to draw off the Enemy at a further distance lest when they fled which he clearly foresaw they would they might with ease being so very near get into the Town and so escape perceiving therefore the Barbarians pouring out upon them he forthwith commanded his Macedonians to wheel about and make to a Hill about seven furlongs distant from the River Guraeus where he had purpos'd to Encamp The Enemy hereupon emboldned the Macedonians seeming to give back in great confusion and disorder hotly pursu'd them But when they were got within the cast of a dart upon a sign given by Alexander the Phalanx furiously turned upon ' em But first indeed the Horse that were darters the Agrians and Archers made an excursion and ingag'd with the Barbarians But Alexander led the Phalanx in Battalia himself The Indians amaz'd at the sudden and unexpected turn when it came to the Swords point fled back into the City Two hundred of 'em were kill'd in the pursuit but the rest got within the Walls Alexander presently drew up his main Battel of Macedons before the Walls and from thence was slightly wounded by an Arrow struck into his Heel The next day the Engines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Curtius l. 8. c. 10. says the Calf of the Leg. being brought up to the Walls part of 'em were easily batterr'd down upon which the Macedonians endeavouring to force their way through the Ruins the Indians stoutly withstood them so far as that Alexander for that day sounded a retreat and call'd off his Men. But the next day the Macedonians renew'd the Assault with greater vigour bringing up a wooden Tower to the Walls out of which the Archers powring showers of Darts and Arrows grievously gall'd the Indians But yet with all these devices they were not able to enter The Third day the main Body of the Macedonians being again led up to the Walls a Bridge was cast out of the Wooden Tower over that part of the Wall that was broken down upon which Bridge the King order'd the Agyraspides who had before taken Tyre after the same manner
of Engines to the Walls and fill'd up the Trenches before the City by the help of three Machines call'd Snails and then with his Rams batter'd down the Towers and Walls that ran along between them Part being thus beaten down he engag'd in the Breach with the Enemy and endeavour'd to force his way into the City over the Rubbish But Memnon easily repuls'd the Macedonians who first assaulted the Wall there being many Men within the City and in the Night when the Engines were brought up he made a Sally with a great Body of Men and fir'd them Upon which there were many sharp Conflicts before the Walls in which the Macedonians far excell'd the other for Valour but the Persians them for number of Men and all Warlike Provisions But those upon the Walls were of great advantage to the Persians that were engag'd in the Sally by galling their Enemies with their Darts and Arrows attended with Death and Wounds shouting of Men and sounding of Trumpets every where eccho'd in the Air while the Soldiers on both sides with loud Acclamations applauded the noble Actions of their several Parties And now some endeavour'd to extinguish the mounting Flames of the Engines and others engaging with the Enemy made grievous slaughters among their Adversaries Those within rais'd up other Walls much stronger instead of them that were batter'd down The Commanders with Memnon being in the Front encourag'd their Men to stand to it offering great Rewards to such as valiantly behav'd themselves So that it was incredible with what Heat and Spirit every one was push'd on forward to win the Day Then might be seen some carry'd out of the Army so wounded that they were breathing out their last others gather'd in a round about the Bodies of the Dead and sharply engag'd Ant. Ch. 332. in striving to carry off the Bodies in order to their Burial Others but even now tyr'd out with Wounds and Blows presently through the Encouragement of the Officers recovering their Spirits fell to it briskly again Some of the Macedonians among whom was Neoptolimus an honourable Person were slain even under the City Gates And now Towers and two Flanks were batter'd down upon which some Drunken Soldiers of Perdiccas rashly in the Night mounted the Walls of the Cittadel But Memnon understanding in what plight they were in made a Sally and being much Superior in number repuls'd the Macedonians and kill'd many of them which being nois'd abroad the Macedonians came flocking in to the aid of their Fellows upon which there was a brisk Encounter At length when those with Alexander appear'd and join'd with the rest the Persians flag'd and were beaten back into the City Then the King sent * An Herald a Trumpeter to make a Truce in order to carry off those Macedonians that were slain before the Walls But Ephialtes and Thrasybulus both Athenians and then in Arms for the Persians gave advice not to suffer the Dead to be bury'd However Memnon granted what the King desir'd Afterwards Ephialtes in a Council of War declar'd his Opinion That it was not advisable for them to stay till the City was taken and so all to be made Prisoners but for all the Officers with the Mercenaries to venture their Lives for the Safety and Security of the rest and to sally upon the Enemy out of the City Hereupon Memnon perceiving Ephialtes to be prompted to Action by an extraordinary Impulse of Valour and placing Ant. Ch. 332. great Confidence in him by reason of his Courage and the strength of his Body agreed to what he had advis'd In order to which he appointed Two thousand Mercenaries of the best Soldiers he could pick out to sally with him one half of whom were commanded to carry along with them light Firebrands and the other to fall in upon the Enemy About break of Day the Gates were suddenly flung open and the Regiments issue out and cast their Fire brands among the Engines upon which a great Flame presently appear'd He himself at the Head of others form'd into a deep Phalanx charg'd upon the Macedonians who were hasting to preserve and defend the Engines The King quick in discerning what was to be done places the chief of the Macedonians in the Front and some of the chiefest Soldiers next in order to support them and to these he adds a third Battalion for Valour excelling all the rest The whole Body he led up himself and fell upon the Enemy who seem'd through their firm and close Order to be impenetrable not to be broken by any Force whatsoever In the mean time he commands others to go to defend the Engines and quench the Fire Noise and Clamour fill'd the Camps and the Trumpet giving the Alarm to Battel they fell to it fighting with more than ordinary Valour ambitious to purchase Honour and Renown The Macedonians easily quench'd the Fire but in the Conflict those with Ephialtes got the better For with whomsoever he engag'd being of a far stronger Ephialtes a strong and stout Man Body than any of them he certainly kill'd and those that were upon the new Wall slew many with their Darts For upon this Wall there was a Wooden Tower erected an Hundred Cubits high full of Engines for shooting of Darts and Arrows Many therefore of the Macedonians being kill'd and the rest retreating by reason of the multitude of Darts and Memnon coming in to the Assistance of the Persians with a far greater Number the King himself knew not well what to do While they that issu'd Ant. Ch. 332. out of the Town thus prevail'd on a sudden the Tables were turn'd For the old Macedonians who by reason of their Age were to this time dispens'd with and not call'd to Fight though formerly Victorious in many Battels under King Philip now at this very instant were stirr'd up to their anient Courage and Resolution And being both Valiant and Expert Soldiers far beyond all the rest they upbraided the Cowardice of the Fresh-water Soldiers who turn'd their Back with most bitter Taunts and Reproaches These presently getting into a Body and clapping their Bucklers one into another fell in upon the Enemy now confident of an assured Victory and having killed Ephialtes and many others forc'd the rest into the City and the Macedonians being mix'd with the other in the Night-time enter'd pell-mell with them within the Walls but the King order'd a Retreat to be sounded and so they return'd into the Camp After this Memnon and the rest of the Commanders consulted together and determin'd to leave the City In execution of which Resolve they left the best of the Soldiers to keep the Cittadel with sufficient Provision and all other Things necessary and transported themselves with the rest of the Citizens and all their Wealth into Coos Alexander about spring of Day understanding what was done cast a Trench and built a Rampart upon it round about the Castle and raz'd the City it self to the
Water is very bitter and stinking so that neither Fish nor any other thing us'd to the Water can live in it And though many remarkable Rivers of very sweet Water empty themselves into it yet it remains as corrupt and unsavory both as to Tast and Smell as ever it did before Every Year rises out of the middle of it great massy pieces of Bitumen and Pitch sometimes bigger then Three * Every Plethra is 100 Foot Plethras and sometimes a little less then one And upon that account the Barbarous Inhabitants call the larger pieces Bulls and the less Calves These pieces of Pitch and Brimstone floating upon the Water seem at a distance to be as so many Islands There are evident Signs that sorgoe and give notice of the casting up of this Bituminous Matter at least Twenty Days before For a horrid smell of Brimstone and Pitch infects the Air round about the Lake at many Furlongs distance and all Metals whether of Gold Silver or Copper near the place change their natural Colour which presently returns again as soon as the Brimstone is exhal'd The places bordering upon it are so burning hot by reason of the Sulphur and Brimstone under ground and cast forth such an horrible stench that the Inhabitants are very unhealthy and short liv'd yet the Country thereabouts being water'd with many pleasant Rivers and refreshing Springs bears abundance of Palm-Trees and in a certain Vale near to this place grows that they call * The Balm of Gilead P. 725. Balm from which they raise a great Revenue inasmuch as this Plant grows in no other part of the World beside and is of excellent use amongst Physitians for the healing and curing of Wounds and other Distempers The Inhabitants on both sides this Lake are so earnest to carry away this Brimstone that they fight one with nother and they bring it off in a strange manner without Shipping For they cast in huge Bundles of Butrushes fastned close together upon which Three or more of them place themselves two of which ply the Oars that are fastn'd to the Bulrushes and the third carrys a Bow and Arrows to defend themselves against such as attempt to make up upon them from the other side or that offer them any violence Assoon as they come to the Brimstone they get upon it and hew it in pieces with Axes as pieces of stone out of a soft Rock and so loading the Bulrish Boat they row back If any fall into the Water through the deficiency of the Boat yet he never sinks as in other waters tho' he knows not how to swim but lies upon the water as if he were the best swimmer in the World For this Lake naturally bears any thing that has either a vegetative or an animal Life except such things as are solid and seem to be without Pores as Silver Gold Lead or the like and these likewise are much longer and slower in sinking than when they are cast into other waters And this profit and advantage the Barbarians reap from it they Transport this Pitch into Egypt and there sell it for the use of embalming of the Dead for if they do not mix this with other Aromatick Spices the Bodies cannot be preserv'd long from putrefaction Antigonus at the Reign of Demetrius having heard the Relation of his Voiage blam'd him for his making Peace with the Nabatheans saying that those barbarous people having so escapt would thereupon grow more insolent than before concluding that they were not favour'd out of love or compassion of the Conqueror but in dispair of the Conquest but he commended him for discovering the Lake Asphaltes seeing that from thence he Ant. Ch. 310. might raise some yearly Revenue to himself and made Hieronimus Cardianus the Historian his Treasurer for that Revenue and commanded him to build Ships and gather together all the Bitumen or liquid Brimstone that could be gotten out of that Lake But Antigonus in the event was frustrated of his hope for the Arabians coming together to the number of Six thousand Men set upon them as they were in their Ships gathering this Brimstone and shot them almost all to death with their Arrows whereby Antigonus lost all hopes of making any standing Revenue that way and forbore all further prosecution of that design both upon the account of the miscarriage already and likewise for that he had matters of greater weight and concern then in his head For about that time a Courrier came and brought Letters to him from Nicanor Governor of Media and others how Seleucus was return'd and prosper'd in those parts Whereupon Antigonus being much concern'd for the upper Provinces sent his Son Demetrius with Five thousand Macedonian Foot and Ten thousand Mercenaries and Four thousand Horse with charge that he should march to the very Walls of Babylon and having recover'd that Province should from thence march down to the Sea Demetrius hereupon departed from Damascus in Syria and went vigorously on to fulfil his Fathers Command But Patrocles whom Celeucus had made President of Babylon so soon as he heard that Demetrius was falling into Mesopotamia not daring to stay his coming because he had but a smal power about him commanded the rest to leave the City and that passing the Euphrates they should flee some into the Deseart others over the Tigris into the Province of Susa and to the * The Red Sea in the Greek but mistook Ant. Ch. 310. Persian Sea and he himself with a company which he had about him trusting in the Barrs of the Rivers and Dikes of the Country thereabouts instead of so many Fortresses and Bulwarks for his defence kept himself still within the Bounds of his own Government and cast about how to intrap his Enemy sending ever and anon Tidings to Seleucus in Media how how things went with him and desiring aid to be speedily sent to him Demetrius when he came to Babylon and found the City it self void of Inhabitants fell P. 726. presently to besiege the Forts and Castles that were therein and having taken one of them gave the spoil thereof to his Soldiers But having besieg'd the other for some days together in hast he departed leaving Archelaus one of his trusty friends to maintain the Siege with Five thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse and himself seeing the time run out which his Father had appointed him to finish his work in return'd with the rest of the Army into the lesser Asia While those things were acting the Wars between the Romans and the Samnites continu'd still in Italy wherein there were daily excursions into one anothers Territories Besieging of Cities and Incamping of Armies on both sides For the Contest between the most warlike Nations of Italy was which should gain the Empire and Sovereign Wars in Italy Command of the whole upon which account many great Battles were fought At length the Consuls of Rome with a part of their Forces Incampt in the
face of the Enemy watching for a fit opportunity to fall upon them by which means they preserv'd their Consederate Cities from annoyance and disturbance from the Enemy With Ant. Ch â—10 the rest of the Army Quintus Fabius the Dictator took Fretomanum and carri'd away the persons of greatest quality that were Enemies to the Romans to the number of Two hundred and upwards and brought them to Rome and expos'd them as a publick Spectacle in the Forum and when he had scourg'd them according to the Roman Custom cut off their Heads He made likewise an inroad into the Enemies Territories and took Celia and the Cittadel of * A City in Campania in Italy Nota with abundance of Spoil and divided a great part of the Country by Lot among the Soldiers the Romans hereupon incourag'd with these successes which fell out according to their hearts desire sent a Colony into the Island call'd * Pontiae Insulae in the Tuscan Sea Plin. lib. 3. c. 6. Porcia an Island in the same Sea call'd commonly Porce The Acts of Agathocles in Sicily Ant. Ch. 310. Pontia As for Sicily after that Agathocles had made Peace with all the Sicilians except the Messenians the Refugees of Syracuse all flockt to Messina because they saw that to be the only City that stood out against him Agathocles therefore with all speed made it his business to break their Confederacy and to that end sent away Pasiphilus his General with an Army to Messina with private instructions to do what he thought fit and most agreeable to the circumstances of Affairs as he should find them hereupon he enter'd the Country on a suddain and after he had taken many Prisoners and got much spoil he Solicited the Messenians to Peace and Amity and that they would not suffer themselves so to be led aside as to join with the implacable Enemies of Agathocles Upon which the Messenians hoping to extricate themselves out of the War without Blows cast out all the Syracusians Fugitives and receiv'd Agathocles with his Army into the City who at the first carri'd himself very courteously and obligingly towards all and courted them to admit those Exiles that were in his Army and had been by them according to Law formerly banish'd into the Freedom and Liberties of the City But afterwards he sent for such out of Tauromenium and Messina as formerly had oppos'd his Government and put them all to death to the number of Six hundred for intending to make War upon the Carthaginians he resolv'd to rid himself of every thing that lookt like an Enemy in Sicily The Messenians therefore seeing their chief Citizens cut off that oppos'd the Tyrant and that they themselves had driven those strangers out of the City that wish'd them so well and that would have been their main strength against him and had been forc't to receive those that had been formerly condemn'd for their notorious Crimes much repented themselves of what they had done but out of fear of the power of the Conqueror they were forc'd to stoop Thence he mov'd in the first place towards Agrigentum with design to make a prey P. 〈◊〉 also of this City But because the Carthaginians were there lately arriv'd with a Fleet of Sixty Sail he desisted and left off that project but wasted and harrass'd the Territories of the Carthaginians and took some of their Forts and Castles by Storm and gain'd others by surrender Among these Turmoiles Dinocrates Captain of the Syracusian Exiles sent to desire Aid of the Carthaginians before Agathocles had brought all Sicily under his own Power and Soveraign Command he himself receiv'd all those Exiles which the Messenians had Ant. Ch. 310 banish'd the City and having now a very great Army sent Nymphodorus one of his Trusty Friends with part of the Army to the City of the Centorippians For this place being a Garrison of Agathocles some of the Citizens had undertaken to betray it upon condition they should be suffer'd to govern according to their own Laws Upon this incouragement therefore breaking into the City in the night the chief Commanders of the Garrison presently took the Alarum and kill'd both Nymphodorus and all the rest that had enter'd within the Walls Agathocles made use of this as an occasion and ground to accuse the Centorippians of Contrivances against his Government and cut the Throats of all those that he look'd upon to be the Ringleaders of the Defection While he was thus imploy'd the Carthaginians enter'd the Port at Syracuse with a Fleet of Fifty Sail but all that they did there was the sinking of two Transport Ships one of which belonged to the Athenians and cut off the Hands of all those that were on board Which was lookt upon as a piece of extream Cruelty towards those that never offer'd them the least Injury and this God made presently to appear For soon after some Ships that were forc'd from the rest of the Fleet about Brutta fell into the hands of Agathocles where those Carthaginians that were taken were serv'd the same sawce with those that were by them taken Prisoners before But Dinocrates Commander of the Exiles having with him above Three thousand Foot and Two thousand Horse seiz'd upon * Or Galatina Galaria as it is call'd invited thither by the Inhabitants and cast out those that sided with Agathocles and then Encamp'd before the Walls of the City Agathecles presently sent against him Pasiphilus and Demophilus with Five thousand Men who fought with the Refugees whose Captains were Dinocrates and Philonides who commanded separately in the two Wings The Battel was doubtful for a long time together while both Armies obstinately stood to it Tooth and Nail But Philonides one of the Captains being slain that Wing fled and Dinocrates was thereupon forc'd likewise to give Ground and Pasiphilus kill'd many of them in the Pursuit and recover'd Galaria and put to Death the Authors of the Defection Agathocles receiving Intelligence of what was done resolv'd to fall upon the Carthaginians Ant. Ch. 310. with his whole Army who had then possess'd themselves of the Hill in Geloa call'd * That is Wicked See p. 729. Eâ—â—â—mes To that end without any further Delay he made up to them and as soon as he came near offer'd them Battel being puff'd up with the Success of his late Victory But the Barbarians durst not engage and thereupon supposing he was absolute Master of the Field without sighting he return'd to Syracuse and adorn'd the chiefest Temples there with the Spoils And these were the Actions of this Year as far forth as is needful for us to give an Account CHAP. VII Cassander Ptolemy and Lysimachus make Peace with Antigonus Cassander murders Rhoxana and her Son The Governors take the Stile of Kings upon them The Carthaginians raise Forces against Agathocles Four thousand Geloans murder'd by Agathocles The Battel between Agathocles and Amilcar the Carthaginian at Himera Agathocles routed Several