The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

CHAP. XX.

The Egyptians revolt from the Persians. New Troubles in Sicily:

TLepolemus being Governor of Athens, the Roman Consuls were Titus Quin∣tius, * 1.1 and Quintus Arbilius Structus. Artaxerxes now newly come to the Throne of Persia, first put to Death all those that had an Hand in the Murther of his Father, and then setled Affairs so as he * 1.2 thought most conducing to the interest of the Government: For he remov'd those Governors of the Provinces whom he most suspected, and plac'd others whom he most confided in, in their room. He took care to store up all manner of Provisions, and to furnish his Army with all things necessary; and ruling with all Justice and Equity, he grew into high Esteem among the Persians. In the

mean time the Egyptians hearing of the Death of Xerxes, and the Troubles in Persia occasion'd thereby, fell a plotting how to recover their Liberty; and to that * 1.3 end on a sudden rose against the Persians, and drave the Questors or Persian Treasurers out of Egypt.

Then they set up one Inarus to be their King; who first had an Army of the * 1.4 natural Inhabitants, and afterwards increas'd his Forces by Mercenary Foreigners. He sent likewise Embassadors to Athens, desiring their aid, with Promises that if they regain'd their Liberty, the whole Kingdom should be for their Service and Advantage as well as his; and he should be ever and in every thing grateful to them. The Athenians conceiving it to be much to their advantage, if by what force they could make, they might drain the Persians of their Money, and gain likewise the Egyptians to their interest, to be ready to serve them upon all occa∣sions, determin'd to send to their Assistance a Navy of Three Hundred Sail; and * 1.5 to that end, all Hands were at work to make ready a Fleet. Artaxerxes recei∣ving the News of the Revolt of the Egyptians, resolved to exceed them both in number of Men, and Provisions of War; and for that purpose forthwith rais'd Souldiers out of all the Provinces of the Kingdom, rigg'd out his Fleet, and o∣mitted nothing necessary in the present Juncture. And thus stood the Affairs of Asia and Egypt at this time.

In Sicily after they had cast off the Kingly Government, and restored all the * 1.6 Cities to liberty, the whole Island greatly flourished; for having a rich and fer∣tile Soyl, and Peace on every side, they grew very rich in a short time, the Land abounding in Labourers, Cattel, and all other Conveniences, for the comfort and happiness of Man's Life, much being now laid up, and nothing expended in Wars. But they continu'd not long thus, but again broke forth into Wars and Seditions upon the account following. Thrasibulus being deposed, they call'd a General As∣sembly, to consult about the manner of a Popular Government, and there it was unanimously decreed, that a Statue should be erected to * 1.7 Jove the Deliverer, as high as a Colossus, and that there should be Yearly upon the Day that they were rid of the Tyrant, and regain'd their Liberty, Sacrifices offered, and Solemn Games celebrated: At which Solemnities they likewise vow'd to sacrifice Four Hundred and Fifty Oxen, and therewith to feast all the People, and that all the * 1.8 Magistrates (according to the ancient Custom) should be chosen out of the chiefest Citizens; and that none of the Strangers who were made Denizens by Gelon, should be admitted to these Honours, looking upon them either as unworthy, or * 1.9 fearing lest they (being always inur'd to Monarchy) should endeavour a change of Government, which was no vain conception, as the Event after made evident. For Gelon had infranchis'd above Ten Thousand Mercenaries, of whom, above Seven Thousand remain'd at that time.

These being inraged thus to be excluded, and made incapable of being chosen * 1.10 Magistrates, began to plot, and at length joining together, seiz'd upon Acridina, a part of the City, and the forementioned Island, both of which Places were strongly wall'd and fortify'd.

On the other side in this Confusion, the Syracusians possessed themselves of an∣other part of the City, especially towards the Epipole, defending themselves with a Wall and strong Guards. The Seditious were so penn'd up, that they grew scant in their Provisions. And though they were far less in number than the Citizens, yet they were much better Souldiers; and therefore when ever they made any Sallies, in every Skirmish they went off with Success. But being so close shut up, they were nigh famished. And this was the state of Sicily at this time.

This Year Conon was Archon of Athens, and Quintus Fabius Vibulanus, and Tibe∣rius * 1.11 Aemilius Mamercus were Roman Consuls. At this time Artaxerxes King of Persia, made Archemenes the Son of Darius his great Uncle, General of his Ar∣my intended against Egypt, which consisted of above Three Hundred Thousand Horse and Foot: With these he march'd into Egypt, and incamp'd near the River Nile, and as soon as he had refresh'd his Army, prepar'd for Battel. The Egyptian Forces were made up of Africans and Egyptians, and waited in ex∣pectation of further Aid from the Athenians; who at length arrived with a Fleet of Two Hundred Sail, and joining with the Egyptians, the Battel began with great Resolution on both sides. The Persians indeed were far more in number; * 1.12 but the Athenians with great Valour and Courage breaking in upon that Wing of

the Persians that was plac'd against them, and killing and destroying many of them, the rest of the Barbarians fled, and in the pursuit, most of the Army was cut off, and the rest fled to a place call'd the † 1.13 White Wall. The Athenians by whose Valour the Victory was obtain'd, follow'd close after them to the place, and Besieged it. But Artaxerxes having intelligence of the Overthrow of his Ar∣my, sent some he could most confide in, to the Lacedemo∣nians, with a great Sum of Money, to induce the Spartans to make War upon the Athenians, thinking by that means to force them back, for the necessary defence of their own Country. But the Lacedemonians would neither accept of the Money, nor hearken to any other Proposals of the Persians. Being thus without hopes of Aid from the Lacede∣monians, Artaxerxes prepar'd a new Army, and made Artabazus and Megabysus, both very Valiant Men, Generals, and sent them against the Egyptians.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 79. 2. Ante Chr. 461.
• * 1.2

  This is Artaxerxes Longimanus, who forbad the Building of Jerusalem. From his Seventh Year, began Da∣niel's Seventy Weeks, which is 490 Years to the Death of Christ.
• * 1.3

  The Egyptians revolt from the Persians.
• * 1.4

  Inarus set up in Egypt.
• * 1.5

  Ant. Ch. 461
• * 1.6

  The flourish∣ing state of Sicily after the deposi∣tion of Ty∣rants.
• * 1.7

  Jovi Libe∣ratori.
• * 1.8

  P. 280.
• * 1.9

  Ant. Chr. 461.
• * 1.10

  New Stirs in Sicily at Syra∣euse.
• * 1.11

  Olymp. 79〈…〉〈…〉. Ant. Chr. 46.
• * 1.12

  The Persians routed in E∣gypt.
• † 1.13

  The Third part of Memphis, the other Two Parts being taken by the Athenians, Usher's Annals, 136. Thu∣cidides, lib. 1. 37. Memphis now call'd Grand Cairo.