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. I.

The Athenian Fleet rigg'd out for Sicily. Alcibiades accus'd; Flies; Is Con∣demned; 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 * 1.1 Lucius Sergius, Marcus Servilius, and Marcus Papyrius, Three Military Tri∣bunes, with Consular dignity, the Athenians having decreed War against the Sy∣racusians, 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 ma∣nagement 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 ad∣vance Money towards the Victualling the Navy, and providing Pay for the Souldiers. Many likewise of the People, both Citizens and Strangers, freely of∣fer'd * 1.2 themselves to the Generals, to be listed and inroll'd: And all were so con∣fident, 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, * 1.3 all the Statues of the Goddess Minerva through the City (which were very ma∣ny) 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 De∣mocracy, 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 whatso∣ever.

However notwithstanding this Accident, an Hundred and Forty Gallies were rigg'd out, besides Ships of Burden and other Ships, for transporting of Horses, * 1.4 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 belong∣ing to their Fleet.

During this time, the Officers had a private Consult with the Senate, concer∣ning the Administration of Affairs in Sicily, in case they should conquer the * 1.5 Island. Where at length it was determined, that they of Selinuntium and Syra∣cuse 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 * 1.6 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 † 1.7 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 Pe∣loponesus, arriv'd at † 1.8 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 * 1.9 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 Thu∣rians, 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 * 1.10 Seas, they made Three Generals, invested with Absoute Power, Hermocrates, Sicanus and He∣raclides, 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 Hime∣reans and Seluntians, with them of Gela and Catanea, pro∣mis'd their Assistance. The Cities of the † 1.11 Siculi (though they favoured the Syracusians) yet desired to be at ease, and not knowing what to resolve, judg'd it most advisable to consi∣der 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 * 1.12 above Thirty Talents, the Athenian Generals accused them of Treachery; and setting Sail from Rhegium with their whole Fleet, arriv'd at Naxus in Sicily, where they were friendly and courteously received by the Citizens; and from thence they made to Catana. But they of Catana refus'd entrance to the Soul∣diers, yet admitted the Generals, and call'd a common Assembly; where the A∣thenian Generals treated with them concerning the entring into a mutual League offensive and defensive; but whilst Alcibiades was making an Harangue to court * 1.13 the People, the Souldiers broke through a little Gate into the City, by which means the Cataneans were forc'd to join with the Athenians in the War against the Syracusians.

Whilst these things were acting Abroad, they who were Enemies to Alcibiades, * 1.14 (through private Peaks and Grudges) at Athens took Occasion, from the maiming and spoiling of the Images, and accused him in the Common Assemblies of a Conspiracy against the Democracy; which Accusation was much supported and further'd by what had then lately happen'd at Argos: For some of the chief of the City, conspiring with others of their Dependents, to overturn the Democracy in Argos, were all destroy'd by the Citizens. This Attempt of innovation there, * 1.15 caus'd the Accusation at Athens to be more readily believed, and therefore the People being with all earnestness stir'd up by the Orators, sent a Ship from Salamis to Sicily, to recall Alcibiades, in order to abide his Trial.

As soon as it arriv'd at Catana, Alcibiades was made acquainted by the Messen∣gers, * 1.16 what Order they had from the People; upon which, he (with those who were accused with him) went on Ship-board into his own Gally, and together with that from Salamis set Sail from Catana. As soon as he arriv'd at Thurium, ei∣ther through Consciousness of the Guilt of his Impiety, or through the fear of the greatness of the Danger, he and all those accused with him made their Escape. * 1.17 Those who were on Board the Salamian Vessel, made great inquiry after Alci∣biades; but when he could not be found, they Sail'd back to Athens, and there gave an Account what had happen'd.

Upon which, the Athenians gave Judgment of Death upon Alcibiades, and all * 1.18 his Fellow Fugitives, (their Names being only put up to the Court) without be∣ing further heard.

But Alcibiades fled out of Italy to Sparta, and there perswaded the Lacedemo∣nians to invade the Athenians: But the Generals that remain'd in Sicily, sail'd with their Forces to Aegista, and took Hyccara, a small Town of the Siculi; out of whose Spoils they rais'd an Hundred Talents. And having receiv'd Thirty Talents more from the Aegistines, they sail'd back to Catana; where having consulted how to posses themselves of a Place near to the chief Port of Syracuse, with-little or no hazard, they sent thither a Trusty Fellow of Catana, not

suspected by the Syracusian Officers, with Orders to acquaint them that some of the Cataneans had plotted upon a sudden to set upon the Athenian Souldiers in the Night, when they had laid aside their Arms, and to burn all their Ship∣ping in their Harbour: And that this might be the better effected, they desir'd the Commanders to appear with their Army, that the Design might not be de∣feated. As soon as the Catanean came to Syracuse, he delivered his Message. The Generals believing what he said, appointed a Night when they would march out with their Forces, and sent back the Man to Catana. At the Night appointed, the Syracusians led forth their Men towards Catana; and the Athenians (with great Silence) made out with their Fleet to the great Port of Syracuse; and seizing upon Olympius; and all the Places bordering round about, they there fortify'd their Camp. But the Syracusians understanding the Treachery, return'd with a swift March, and set upon their Enemies Camp. They on the other side issued forth, and Battel was join'd, in which the Athenians kill'd Four Hundred of their Enemies, and put the rest to flight: But the Athenian Generals discerning that the Enemy exceeded them in the number of their Horse (that they might be the better provided for the Siege,) sail'd back to Catana.

Messengers likewise were sent to Athens, with Letters to the Democracy to * 1.19 desire more Horse and Moneys, because the Siege they were about to begin, would be long and tedious. Upon which, it was decreed, that Three Hundred Talents and some Troops of Horse should be sent into Sicily.

During these things, Diagoras surnamed the * 1.20 Atheist, ac∣cused for his Impiety, for fear of the People, fled out of At∣tica; and a Talent of Silver was promis'd as a Reward by the Voice of the common Cryer, to any that should kill him. In Italy the Romans had War with the Aequi, and took La∣vinium by Assault: And these were the Actions produc'd this Year.

Pisander now executed the Office of Archon at Athens, and the Romans created * 1.21 Four Military Tribunes as Consuls, Publius Lucretius, Caius Servilius, Agrippa Me∣menius, and Spurius Veturius. At this time the Syracusians sent Embassadors to Corinth and Lacedemon, to desire Aid, and earnestly intreated that they would not suffer them to be reduc'd to the utmost extremity. The Lacedemonians stirr'd up by Alcibiades, determin'd to assist the Syracusians, and made Gylippus General. The Corinthians sent only Two Gallies under Pythes to go along with Gylippus into Sicily for the present, while they were preparing a greater Fleet to be sent after them. Nicias and Lamachus the Athenian Generals at Catana, * 1.22 having receiv'd Three Hundred Talents, and re-inforc'd with Two Hundred and Fifty Horse from Athens, set Sail for Syracuse, and arriving there in the Night unsuspected by them of Syracuse, possess themselves of † 1.23 Epipole; which they of Syracuse perceiving, made a Sally with all speed to drive them thence, but were forc'd back within their Walls, with the loss of Three Hundred Men.

After this, there came to the Athenians Three Hundred Horse from Aegina, and Two Hundred and Fifty from the Sicilians, which made up a Body of a∣bove Eight Hundred Horse: Being inforc'd, they drew a Trench round Labda∣lus, and blockt up the City Syracuse on every side with a Wall. At which the Syracusians were greatly terrify'd, and to prevent the building of the Wall, they sally'd out; but after a Skirmish with Horse on both sides, the Syracu∣sians were beaten back with great loss. Then the Athenians with a part of their Army possess'd themselves of a Place call'd Polichna, commanding the Port, and drew a Wall about it, wherein they included the Temple of Jupiter: So that now Syracuse was Besieg'd on both sides. With these many Misfortunes, the Syracusians were greatly discouraged; but when they heard that Gylippus was ar∣riv'd at Himera, and raising Men, they began to take Heart. For Gylippus as * 1.24 soon as he came to Himera, with Four Gallies only, after he had secur'd his Ships, brought in them of Himera to join with the Syracusians; and from them and the Geleans, Selinuntians and Sicanians, he rais'd and listed Men, who when they were all mustered, made up a Body of Three Thousand Foot, and Two Hun∣dred Horse; with which he march'd through the midst of the Country, and entred into Syracuse: And after a few Days, led forth his Forces, with those

of the Syracusians, against the Enemy. Whereupon a sharp Battel was fought, * 1.25 wherein Lamachus the Athenian General was kill'd. But at length (after many kill'd on both sides) the Athenians got the Day.

After this Fight, came in Thirteen Gallies from Corinth, whereupon Gylip∣pus having drawn the Souldiers out of these Ships, with them, and the Syracu∣sians set upon the Enemies Camp, and assaulted the Epipole: And though the Athenians made a Sally, yet after a sharp Dispute, and many of them kill'd, they were routed by the Syracusians; who presently demolish'd the Walls and Fortifications through all the Epipole. The Athenians having lost this Place, led away their Army to another Post.

These things thus perform'd, the Syracusians sent Embassadors a Second time to Corinth and Lacedemon for further Supplies. To whom were sent a Thou∣sand Men from Corinth, Beotia and Sicyon; and from Sparta Six Hundred. In the mean time, Gylippus traversing the Country about from Town to Town in several Parts of Sicily, brought in many to join with him in the War; and being reinforc'd with Three Thousand Men from the Himereans and Sicanians, * 1.26 he march'd his Army through the Heart of the Country: But the Athenians having intelligence of their coming, cut off one half of them by an Ambush; the rest came safe to Syracuse.

And now they of Syracuse being incouraged with fresh Supplies, determin'd to try their Fortune in a Sea-Fight: What Shipping they had left, they set forth, and built others, which they made use and † 1.27 trial of in the little Har∣bour.

Nicias the Athenian General, acquainted the People of Athens by Letters, that the Syracusians were much inforc'd, and that they were putting forth a great Fleet, with an intent to come to a Sea-Fight; and therefore desir'd more Shipping and Moneys to be sent him, and a Collegue to bear part of the Bur∣den and Care of the War. For Alcibiades being fled, and Lamachus kill'd, he only remain'd, and that very infirm and unhealthful. Upon this the Athenians sent into Sicily about the Summer Solstice, Ten Gallies, under the Command of Eurymedon, with an Hundred and Forty Talents of Silver: But withal pre∣paring and designing to send a greater Fleet at the Spring. And to that end, * 1.28 they rais'd Men and Money in every Place from among their Confederates. In Peloponesus the Lacedemonians by the instigation of Alcibiades, broke the League they had made with the Athenians, and the heat of this War continu'd for the space of Twelve Years.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 91. 2. An. Mu. 3531. Ant. Chr. 412.
• * 1.2

  Preparations against Sicily.
• * 1.3

  All the Images in Athens had their Heads struck off in one Night. Ant. Chr. 412.
• * 1.4

  P. 332.
• * 1.5

  Ant. Chr. 412.
• * 1.6

  The Port of Athens, Five Miles from Athens, join'd to it with a long Wall. Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 2. c. 85.
• † 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.8

  Now Corfu.
• * 1.9

  A Promon∣tory of Italy.
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In the Streights.
• † 1.11

  The Siculi are they that came out of Italy, and call'd it Sicily, which was before Sicania. Sicilians is a ge∣neral Name for all the Inhabitants.
• * 1.12

  Ant. Ch. 412.
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.14

  Alcibiades ac∣cused at A∣thens.
• * 1.15

  P. 333.
• * 1.16

  Ant. Ch. 412
• * 1.17

  Alcibiades withdraws himself.
• * 1.18

  Alcibiades Condemn'd.
• * 1.19

  Ant. Chr. 412.
• * 1.20

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This Diagoras was a Milean; he questioned in his Wri∣tings, whether there were any Gods; for which he was prosecuted. Vid. Lact. lib. 1. p. 7.
• * 1.21

  P. 334. Olymp. 91. 3. Ant. Ch. 411. The Syracu∣sians crave aid of the Lacede∣monians.
• * 1.22

  Ant. Chr. 411.
• † 1.23

  An high piece of Land near the City over-topping it.
• * 1.24

  Gylippus ar∣rives at Hi∣mera.
• * 1.25

  A Baatel fought near Syracuse.
• * 1.26

  Ant. Chr. 411. P. 335.
• † 1.27

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.28

  Ant. Chr. 410.