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. 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 Vibu∣lanus * 1.1 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 concern∣ing * 1.2 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 ac∣count 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 Dis∣sentions, by which Mischiefs the Syracusians greatly smarted. For one call'd Tyndarides, a rash conceited Fellow, who protecting and feeding many poor People, * 1.3 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 bring∣ing him back to the Goal, he was by the Party he had before prepared, as a∣foresaid, by Force rescu'd out of the Hands of the Officers. This rais'd a Tu∣mult through the whole City, and caus'd the chief and soberest part of the Ci∣tizens to join together against them; who presently apprehended the Innova∣tors, 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 * 1.4 a Law not much differing from that of Ostracism at Athens: For there every Ci∣tizen was to write in * 1.5 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 † 1.6 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 * 1.7 the great ones to some moderation; for they did not hereby intend the punish∣ment of any Crime that was committed, but the prevention of Mischief, by im∣pairing 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 * 1.8 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 Citizens taking upon them the Government, stirr'd up the Common People to Innovations and Disturbances in the Commonwealth; and so all things ran a Second time into Sedition and Confusion, and a conti∣nual and mighty Storm of Trouble and Disorder shook the City. For there arose many Ringleaders and Seducers of the People, especially Young Conceited Men, who thought none spoke like themselves, nor no Wisdom like theirs. In Sum, many instead of the Principles of the ancient Justice and Honesty, instill'd * 1.9 nothing into the People, but wicked Notions, both in Manners and Practice. In time of Peace, it was their only business to heap together Riches, but had no regard at all to Amity and Justice amongst Men. The Decree therefore of Petalism, upon more mature Consideration, was repeal'd within a short time after it was put in execution. And thus stood the Affairs of Sicily at this time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 81. 3. An. M. 3518. Ant. Ch. 452.
• * 1.2

  A War be∣tween the Aegestines and Lilybeans in Sicily.
• * 1.3

  Tyndarides's Treason in Syracuse.
• * 1.4

  The Law of Petalism made in Syracuse.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• † 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.7

  P. 287. Ant. Ch. 452.
• * 1.8

  Petalism a∣bolish'd.
• * 1.9

  Ant. Chr. 452.