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. XXVII.

Pericles makes an Inrode into Peloponesus. Besieg'd Scycion. Phaylus in Sicily made Admiral against the Tyrrhenian Pirats; is corrupted and banish'd. The Original of the Palici: And the Stories of the Temple, and Wonders of the Craters in Sicily.

WHen Lysicrates was Governor of Athens, Caius Nausius Rutillius, and Lucius * 1.1 Minutius Augurinus, were celebrated Consuls at Rome. During their times, Pericles the Athenian General made an Inrode into Peloponesus, and wasted the * 1.2 Country of the Scycions. The Scycions march'd out with a great Army against him, and Battel being join'd, Pericles routed them, and kill'd many in the Pur∣suit, and having driven the rest within the Walls of the City, laid Siege to the Place. But after he had made a valiant Assault, and saw he could not * 1.3 win the Place, in regard the Lacedemonians had sent Aid to the Besieg'd, he withdrew his Army from Scycion, and march'd into Acarnania, there wasting the Country of the Oeniades; and having loaded himself with Booties and Plunder, left Acarnania. After this, he march'd into Chersonesus, and divided the Country by Lot amongst a Thousand Citizens. And in the mean time Tol∣mides the other General made a Descent into Eubea, and divided the Country of the Naxians amongst another Thousand of the Citizens.

As for Sicily, the † 1.4 Tyrrhenians infesting the Sea with Py∣racies, the Syracusians chose one Phaylus to be Admiral of the Fleet, and commanded him to make a Descent upon * 1.5 Tyr∣henia. Being furnish'd with a Fleet well provided, upon the first attempt, he wasts the Island of Aethalia; but being corrupted by the Hetruscans with Money, he return'd into Sicily, without doing any thing memorable. But the Syracusians banish'd him * 1.6 for his Treason, and chose another call'd Apelles, and sent him with Threescore Ships against the † 1.7 Tyrrhenians. Upon which he wasts the Sea-coasts of Tyrhe∣nia, and sails to Corsica, then subject to the Hetruscians, and harrased and de∣stroy'd a great part of the Island; and having wholly subdued Aethalia, return'd to Syracuse, with a multitude of Prisoners and much spoil.

After this, Ducetius Prince of the Siculi, reduced all the Cities of the same Nation (except Hybla) into one Society and Communi∣ty. This Man being both Wise and Valiant, bent his Mind * 1.8 for the accomplishing of something great and unusual; for having a rich Treasury, he remov'd the City Neas, the Place * 1.9 of his Birth, into a plain Champain Ground, and built a fa∣mous City near the Temple of the † 1.10 Palici (as they are call'd) from whom he call'd the City Palicon. And because those Deities now fall in our way, it's not fit we should al∣together pass by the strange and indeed incredible Stories that are related concerning this Temple, and especially that great wonder there call'd the * 1.11 Craters. For they say, that this Temple is to be preferr'd before all others, both for Antiquity and Religious Worship, especially for the strange and wonderful things done there.

And first in this Temple, there are hollows in the Earth, call'd Craters, not * 1.12 very large in compass, but of incredible depth, from whence break out great sparks of Fire and Water, like as from boiling Pots or Caldrons. The Water cast forth, resembles so many Streams of Fire; but there's no certainty what it is, for none hitherto ever durst approach it: For the violent irruption of the Fiery Matter is so wonderful, that it seems to be the immediate effect of some divine Power. It smells like Brimstone, as most predominant, and the bot∣tomless Gulf roars and makes a most dreadful and horrible noise. And that which is far more to be admir'd is this, That this River of Fire neither flows nor makes any stay upon the Land, but in a continual motion, with an ama∣zing force, hurls it self up into the Air. This Place therefore by these won∣derful * 1.13 instances of some Divine Presence, being accounted Sacred, the most So∣lemn and Sacred Oaths were used here to be taken, and due Punishments were without delay executed by the Deity, upon the Perjur'd Person; For it hath been observ'd, that many such have been struck blind as they have gone out of the Temple. And the great Veneration that Persons have had for the Place, has often been the occasion that matters of great Controversy (where Might was likely to overcome Right) have been decided by an Oath in this Place. This Temple likewise at some times, is a Place of Refuge, and a special help for injured Servants to protect them against the cruelty of their Severe Masters. For they who fly thither, cannot be drawn thence, but continue safe there, till by the Mediation of Friends they are reconcil'd to their Masters, and mutual Oaths taken for the faithful Performance of what is promis'd on both sides. And it was never known, that ever any broke his Faith with his Servant in such a case, such an † 1.14 awe (through the fear of the Gods) was upon them. This Temple is situated in a most pleasant Plain, adorn'd with beautiful Porches, Galleries and other stately Buildings, becoming the dignity of the Gods. But of this sufficient is said. And now we return to what we were before relating.

Deucetius after he had wall'd in his new City Palicon, divided the Country ad∣jacent among the Inhabitants. They grew wonderfully rich in a short time, * 1.15 both by reason of the fruitfulness of the Soil, and the multitude of the People. But this Sun-shine lasted not long, for destroy'd it was, and lies waste and desolate to this Day. The reason of which shall be declared in its proper Place.

In Italy, after the Sacking of Sibaris by the Crotonians, one Thessalus, about Eight and Fifty Years after getting together the remnant of the Sibarites, re∣built Sibaris, situated between two Rivers, Sybaris and Crathis. But the Sibarites growing rich suddenly by reason of the fruitfulness of the Soil, possess'd the City only Six Years, and were again ejected; which we intend to relate more fully in the following Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 81. 4. Ante Chr. 451.
• * 1.2

  Pericles makes an inrode into Peloponesus.
• * 1.3

  Scycion Be∣sieged.
• † 1.4

  The Hetrurians in Italy.
• * 1.5

  Hetruria. The Affairs of Sicily.
• * 1.6

  Ante Chr. 451.
• † 1.7

  Hetrurians.
• * 1.8

  Ducetius Prince of the Sicilians, or Siculi.
• * 1.9

  P. 288.
• † 1.10

  Gemini Fatres Jovis Filii, ex Nympha Thalia. Palicon built in Sicily.
• * 1.11

  i. e. Pots or Caldrons.
• * 1.12

  The Wonders of the Craters in Sicily.
• * 1.13

  Ant. Ch. 451.
• † 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  Ant. Chr. 451. Palicon de∣stroy'd.