CHAP. X.
Hermocrates kill'd at Syracuse, attempting to surprize it.
IN this Olympiad, the † 1.1 Synouris was added to the Olympian Games. And Pli∣stonax, King of the Lacedemonians, died, when he had reign'd ‖ 1.2 Fifty Years. To whom succeeded Pausanias, who Govern'd fourteen Years. The Inhabitants of Rhodes, out of Ialysus, Lindus and Camirus, Incorporated themselves into one City, now call'd Rhodes. Hermocrates the Syracusian, march'd out of Selinunte with his Forces to Himera, and Encamp'd in the Suburbs of that late ruin'd City. * 1.3 Where after he had by diligent Enquiry, found out in what place the Sy∣racusians had their Post, he gather'd up the dead Bodies of the Syracusians, and put them in Chariots richly adorn'd, and sent them to Syracuse; and he himself accompany'd them, as far as it was lawful for a Banish'd Man to go, who was not to set a Foot within the Confines of the Country; and there he committed the Care of Conveying them to Syracuse to others. He did this to bring an Odium upon Diocles (who oppos'd his Return) for his Neglect in not Burying the Dead; and to regain the Good-will of the People to himself, for his Humanity.
When the Bodies were brought to the City, there arose a Dissention amongst the People. Diocles oppos'd the Burial of them, but the People were unani∣mously against him. At length it was resolv'd, That they should be bury'd, and the whole City grac'd the Solemnity with their Presence, and Diocles was Banish'd. However Hermocrates was never the nearer being Restor'd; for they were very jealous of him, that if ever he came into Authority, he would usurp the Sovereignty. When therefore he understood that for the present, it was to no purpose to strive against the Stream, he return'd to Selinunte: But not long after, being sent to some of his Faction, he hastens away with three thousand Ar∣med * 1.4 Men, and marching through Geloa in the Night, comes to the Place be∣fore appointed, where all his Souldiers could not readily follow him; so that with a few he comes up to the Gate in Acridana; where he finds some of his Friends, who had before possess'd themselves of the Places; there he stay'd for the rest of his Men, who came slowly on, and at length joyn'd him. But the Design being discover'd, the Syracusians ran Arm'd into the Forum; where (a great multitude of People being got together) they kill'd Hermocrates, and the most of his Accomplices. The rest that escap'd (after they had cited them to Ap∣pear, in order for their several Tryals) they condemn'd to Banishment. Some therefore that were ill wounded, were by their Friends reported to be dead, to avoid the present Fury of the People. Amongst whom was Dionysius, who usurpt the Tyranny.