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. VIII.

The continuance of the Peloponesian War. The War by the Romans against the Fidinates for putting their Ambassadors to death. The Quarrels be∣tween the Aegistines and the Seluntines in Sicily. The Expedition of the Athenians against Sicily under Nicias, being the Sixteenth Year of the Peloponesian War.

ARiston was Archon at Athens, when the Romans committed the Consulship * 1.1 to Titus Quintius, and Aulus Cornelius Cossus. The Peloponesian War was scarcely ended, when new Commotions and Dissentions broke out afresh, occa∣sion'd as follows. The Athenians and Spartans, with the common Consent of all their Confederates, had enter'd into Terms of Truce and Peace. But in the mean time they privately confederated in a League Offensive and Defensive, without taking in the Cities that had sided with either Party; which rais'd a suspicion as if there was a Design laid by this secret Association to inslave all * 1.2 Greece: And therefore the chiefest Cities in Greece sent one to another, and enter'd into mutual Leagues to join together against the Lacedemonians and A∣thenians. The most potent Grecian Cities in this Confederacy were Four, Argos, Thebes, Corinth and Elis. And indeed there was some reason to suspect these Two Cities had some Design against Greece; for that in the Articles of the League, there was a Clause superjoyn'd, that it should be lawful for the Athe∣nians and Lacedemonians at any time when they thought fit, either to add to, or take any thing from that which was before solemnly agreed to. Besides, the Athenians had created Ten Magistrates, who were invested with full power to manage all Affairs relating to the City. And whereas the Lacedemonians did

the same thing, it was very evident at what the insatiable Ambition of the Two Cities pointed. Many therefore of the Cities now resolv'd to defend the com∣mon Liberty, and to that end considering the power of Athens to be low, by their late overthrow at Delium, and the honour and glory of Sparta, much di∣minished upon the account of so many Captives of the noblest of their Citizens taken in the Island Sphacteria, they conspir'd against them, and committed the Sovereign power and management of the War to the City Argos. For the ancient noble Actions done by that City, challeng'd above all others that preeminence and prerogative; for long before, and to the very time of the * migration of the Heraclidae into Peloponesus, the greatest Kings of Greece came out of Argos; * 1.3 and besides, by the advantage of a long Peace, it was grown very rich and po∣pulous.

Argos now concluding that the chief Command was lodg'd in themselves, pickt out a Thousand of the strongest young Men, and best ability for Estates, whom they freed from all publick Affairs, and maintain'd at the common Charge. These were continually by daily Exercise, to inure themselves to Martial Dis∣cipline: * 1.4 And by the help of a plentiful allowance, and constant care and dili∣gence, in a short time they became most expert Souldiers. But when the La∣cedemonians perceiv'd all Peloponesus had conspir'd against them, and foreseeing the greatness and danger of the War, they made preparation for defence of the Government, as far as was possible. To that end, in the first place, they * 1.5 manumitted a Thousand of the Helots that were with Brasidas: And afterwards they restored the Citizens to their former Priviledges that had been taken Pri∣soners in Sphacteria, whom they had before degraded by reason of the disgrace they had brought upon their Country. Moreover they brought in many who had formerly done great Service in the Wars, by crying them up, and feeding them by Rewards, to incourage them to shew the like instances of their Va∣lour in the hazards of the approaching War. They carried themselves like∣wise with more kindness towards their Confederates, and strove to gain and win by courtesie and civility, those they had disoblig'd and alienated from them. But the Athenians went a quite contrary way; for conceiving that those whom * 1.6 they suspected to be false, were to be discourag'd by fear of Punishment, they put them in mind of that severe Revenge taken in the business of † 1.7 Scione; for there when the City was taken, they put all the Men to the Sword, and carry'd away all the Women and Children as Captives, and planted the Island with the Plateans, who were banish'd their Country for their faithfulness to the Athenians.

About the same time, the Campanians in Italy march'd against Cuma with a great Army, and routed and destroy'd most of the Cumeans. Then they be∣sieg'd the City, and after several Assaults, at length took it by force, and ha∣ving * 1.8 plunder'd it, and carry'd away all the Inhabitants that were left as Slaves, they repeopled it with Colonies sent out of their own City.

The chief of the Senate at Athens, was Aristophilus, Lucius Quintius, and * 1.9 Aulus Sempronius, Roman Consuls, when they of Elis celebrated the Ninetieth O∣lympiad, in which Hiperbius the Syracusian was crown'd with Victory. And at that time, the Athenians by command of the Oracle, restor'd the Island Delos to the Deleans; and they that inhabited Attramitium in Delium, return'd to their own Country. And now because Pylus was not given up, and restor'd to the La∣cedemonians, the War began to break out afresh between the Two Cities, which being understood by them of Argos, they enter'd into League with the Athe∣nians. And the breach growing wider and wider, the Lacedemonians perswaded the Corinthians, that leaving their Association with the Confederate Cities, they would join with them. In this condition and confusion of Affairs stood Pelopo∣nesus.

As to other Places out of the Bounds of Peloponesus, the Aenians, Dolopeans and Melcans, confederated together, and set upon * 1.10 Heraclea in Trachinia. The Heracleans march'd against them with great Forces, wherewith they bravely fought the Enemy, but were totally routed, with the loss of a great part of their Army; the rest by Flight got within their Walls. Then they sent to the Beotians for aid, who sent them a Thousand of heavy arm'd Men from Thebes; by which assistance they repell'd their Enemies. In the mean time, the Olyn∣theans.

made an Expedition against the City * 1.11 Micyberna, then a Garrison of the Athenians, and having forc'd out the Guards there, possess'd themselves of the Place.

Archias was Archon of Athens, and Lucius Papyrius Mugillanus, and Caius Ser∣vilius * 1.12 Structus, were Consuls at Rome, when the Argives proclaim'd War against the Lacedemonians, because they neglected to offer the usual Frankincense to Apollo Pythius. At the same time Alcibiades the Athenian General came with his Army into the Country of Argos, by whom the Argives being Forc'd, invaded Troezena, * 1.13 which was Confederated with Sparta, and after they had wasted and spoil'd the Country, and burnt many of their Towns, at length they return'd. The Lacede∣monians being greatly inrag'd at the Injuries done against all Law and Justice to them of Troezena, denounce War against Argos; in prosecution whereof, they rais'd an Army, and thereof made Agis their King, General, who march'd with all * 1.14 speed against the Argives, and after he had made spoil and havock in the Country, made up close to the City, and offer'd them Battel. Hereupon the Argives being join'd with Three Thousand of the Eleans, and as many of the Mantineans, march'd out of the City; and just when they were ready to joyn Battel, the Generals on both sides by their Ambassadors, made a Truce for Four Months; so both Armies return'd, without doing any thing: But both the Cities were in∣cens'd at the 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 * 1.15 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 Ni∣chetes * 1.16 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 * 1.17 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 disci∣plin'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 * 1.18 the Pursuit and Slaughter of those they had routed in another part of the Ar∣my, 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 fight∣ing 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, * 1.19 Quin∣tilius, * 1.20 Marcus Posthumus, and Aulus Cornelius, bore the Office of Consuls at Rome. At that time the Argives and Lacede∣monians had several Meetings and Messages to and fro, about entring into a League one with another, which was effected * 1.21 accordingly. Upon this, the Mantineans (now deserted by * 1.22 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 * 1.23 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 happen∣ing between the Phoceans and the Locrians, the matter came to a decision by the Sword. The Phoceans were Conquerors, * 1.24 and kill'd above a Thousand of the Locrians. In the mean time, the Athenians under the Command of Niceas, took Two * 1.25 Cities, * 1.26 Cithera and † 1.27 Nicea, and in * 1.28 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 Tri∣bunes * 1.29 Lucius Furius, Lucius Quinctius, and Aulus Sempronius again executed the Con∣sular 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 Ge∣neral, who with Twenty Ships under his Command, was order'd to do the ut∣most he could to restore the Argives to their former Government; for there was such Confusion and Disorder there, that great Multitudes of them were for the advancing of the Aristocracy. Alcibiades therefore as soon as he came * 1.30 to Argos, call'd an Assembly of those that were for the Popular Government, and caus'd those who seem'd to side with the Lacedemonians to be banished out of the City, and having setled the Democracy, return'd to Athens. At the end of the Year, the Lacedemonians invaded Argaia with a great Army, and making * 1.31 waste and spoil in many Places of the Country, plac'd the Exiles of Argos in Orneas, and Fortified and walled the Place round, in regard it lay in Argaia; and having put in there a strong Garrison, they order'd them to waste the Country of Argos with continual Excursions. When the Lacedemonians were march'd back, the Athenians sent Forty Ships, and Twelve Hundred Souldiers * 1.32 to the Assistance of the Argives. With this Aid they march'd against Orneas, and took it by Storm, and putting part of the Garrison and the Exiles to the Sword, they expelled the rest out of the City. And these were the things done in the Fifteenth Year of the Peloponesian War.

In the Sixteenth Year, when Aristomnestes was Archon at Athens, and Titus Clau∣dius * 1.33 Spurius, Nautius Lucius Sergius, and Sextus Julius, Military Tribunes, execu∣ted the Office of Consuls at Rome, the Ninety First Olympiad was celebrated at Elis, wherein Exaneus of Acragentum was Victor. At that time the Bysantines and Chalcedeans joining with the Thracians, pass'd over with a great Army in∣to Bithynia, and wasted and spoil'd the Country; and after they had taken se∣veral small Towns by force, they executed most horrid cruelty. For after they had gathered together a great multitude of Prisoners, of Men, Women and Chil∣dren, * 1.34 they cut all their Throats.

About the same time, the Aegistines and Seluntines in Sicily went to Blows, upon the Differences between them concerning the Bounds of their Country. For though the River divided the Territories of the several Cities that were at va∣riance, yet the Seluntines pass'd over to the other side, and seiz'd upon the Lands lying next to the River; and incroaching still by little and little, they gain'd the next to them, and laugh'd and jeer'd at those they thus abus'd. Provoked with these Indignities, the Aegistines at first thought to win them by fair Words, and dissuaded them all they could from seizing of other Mens E∣states. But when they saw they turn'd a deaf Ear, the Proprietors rose up in * 1.35 Arms, and drove them out of the Country, and so recontinued their ancient Possessions. Upon this, a great Fire of Strife and Contention was kindled, and Armies were rais'd on both sides, to decide the Controversie by the Sword. Both Armies being drawn into the Field, a sharp Battel was fought, in which the Seluntines got the Day, and kill'd a great number of the Aegi∣stines.

The power of the Aegistines being very much weakened by this Slaughter, and so unable of themselves to oppose their Enemy, they First sought Aid and Assistance from them of Acragentum and Syracuse: But these failing them, they sent Am∣bassadors to Carthage for relief; and they likewise refus'd. Upon which they sought to get Confederates beyond the Seas: And this prov'd successful; for whereas the Leontines had been driven both out of their City and Country by the Syracusians, those that were remaining of these Exiles consulted together and de∣termin'd to enter into a League with the Athenians, from whom they were de∣scended. The matter was debated and decreed in a Common Assembly of all their Allies, that Embassadors should be sent to Athens, to desire their Assi∣stance for the Relief of the oppressed Cities, and withal to promise that they would do their utmost endeavour to serve the Athenians in all their Concerns in Sicily.

When the Ambassadors came to Athens, the Leontines pleaded their Kindred and * 1.36 ancient Allyances; but the Aegistines promis'd a great Sum of Money for the carry∣ing on the War, and with all their power to oppose the Syracusians. Upon this the Athenians thought fit First to send some prudent Citizens to Sicily, better to un∣derstand the State and Condition both of the Island and of the Aegistines. When they came to Aegista, the Aegistines with great Ostentation and Vanity, shew'd them a great mass of Treasure, in part their own, and part borrow'd. When * 1.37 the Ambassadors were return'd, and the great Riches of the Aegistines was nois'd Abroad, an Assembly of the People was call'd, where the War to be made in Sicily was propos'd, and where Niceas the Son of Niceratus, a Man of great ac∣count amongst the People, argued with great prudence against the War, alledg∣ing it impossible both to contend with the Lacedemonians, and likewise to send so great a Force as they must needs do, into parts beyond the Seas. And alledg'd, that when they were not able hitherto to subdue Greece, it was in vain to think to bring the greatest Island of the World under their power. He added more∣over, when Carthage, that was of so large an Empire, and had often attempted Sicily, was not able to conquer it, could they suppose that the Athenians, who were far inferior in Strength and Power, could subdue an Island the most potent in Arms of all others in the World? After he had spoken this and much more, suit∣able * 1.38 to the present Occasion, Alcibiades one of the chief of the Nobility of * 1.39 Athens, persuaded the People to prosecute the War. This Man was the most Eloquent Speaker of all amongst the Citizens, and for the Nobleness of his Birth, and greatness of his Estate, and Skill in Martial Affairs, far exceeded the rest. The People upon his persuasion, without delay rigg'd out a Fleet of

Thirty Sail from their Confederates, and an Hundred of their own. In these compleatly furnish'd with all Provisions and Necessaries, they put Five Thou∣sand Men well Arm'd, and appointed Three Generals, Alcibiades, Nicias, and Lamachus for this Expedition; and thus were the Athenians then imploy'd. And now being come to the War between the Athenians and Syracusians, according to our design'd Method at the beginning, we shall pursue the things that follow'd in the next Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 89. 4. Ant. Chr. 422. New Com∣motions.
• * 1.2

  The Cities confederate both against Athens and Sparta. Ant. Chr. 422.
• * 1.3

  An. Mu. 2847. Eighty Years after the ta∣king of Troy, in the time of Saul and Sa∣muel.
• * 1.4

  Ante Chr. 422.
• * 1.5

  P. 325.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Chr. 422.
• † 1.7

  Scione is an Island in the Ae∣gean Sea. There's another Scione in Thrace. See before.
• * 1.8

  The Campa∣nians take Cu∣ma.
• * 1.9

  Olymp. 90. 1. An. Mu. 3552. Ant. Chr. 421.
• * 1.10

  A City in Macedonia.
• * 1.11

  A City in the Hellespont.
• * 1.12

  Olymp. 90. 2. An. Mu. 3553. Ant. Chr. 420.
• * 1.13

  The Argives invade Troeze∣za near Argos.
• * 1.14

  P. 326.
• * 1.15

  Agis threat∣ned to be put to Death.
• * 1.16

  Ante Chr. 420.
• * 1.17

  Orcomenia ta∣ken by the Argives.
• * 1.18

  Ant. Chr. 420. A Battel be∣tween the La∣cedemonians and the Man∣tineans.
• * 1.19

  Titus Quinctius.
• * 1.20

  Olymp. 90. 3. An. Mund. 3554. Ante Chr. 419.
• * 1.21

  P. 327.
• * 1.22

  A League between the Lacedemo∣nians and the Argives.
• * 1.23

  A Sedition in Argos.
• * 1.24

  Quarrels and a Fight beween the Phoceans and Locrians.
• * 1.25

  Ant. Ch. 419.
• * 1.26

  Cithera in Peloponesus.
• † 1.27

  Nicea a Port Town in Megara.
• * 1.28

  Melus in Thessaly.
• * 1.29

  Olymp. 90. 4. An. Mu. 3555. Ant. Chr. 418.
• * 1.30

  Alcibiades sent to compose matters in Ar∣gos.
• * 1.31

  The Lacede∣monians in∣vade Argaia.
• * 1.32

  Ant. Chr. 418. The 15th Year of the Peloponesian War. P. 328.
• * 1.33

  Olym. 91. 1. Ant. Chr. 417.
• * 1.34

  The cruelty of the Thra∣cians. Quarrels be∣tween the Agistines and the Se∣luntines in Si∣cily.
• * 1.35

  Ant. Chr. 417.
• * 1.36

  Ant. Chr. 417.
• * 1.37

  Debates at A∣thens about af∣sisting the Ae∣gistines in Si∣cily.
• * 1.38

  P. 329.
• * 1.39

  Ant. Chr. 417.