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. XIII.

The Syracusian Officers accus'd. Dionysius made General of the Syracu∣sians. He moves to have the Exiles recall'd. He's invested with the sole Command. At length by several Artifices gains the Sovereignty.

IMilcar having gain'd the City after Eight Months Siege, a little before the Winter Solstice, did not presently sack it, to the end the Souldiers might quarter there all the Winter. When the ruin of Agrigentum was nois'd A∣broad, the whole Island was struck with such Terror, that some of the Si∣cylians fled to Syracuse, and others transported themselves, their Wives, Chil∣dren and Moveables into Italy. When the Agrigentines that had escap'd, came to Syracuse, they accus'd the Commanders, affirming that they had betrayed their Country into the Enemies Hand; but the Syracusians cast the blame upon the other Sicilians, because they chose such a sort of Officers who endanger'd the loss of all Sicily by their Treachery.

But when a Senate was call'd at Syracuse, they were in such a Consternation as none durst move or advise any thing concerning the War. And being all thus at a stand Dionysius the Son of Hermocrates renew'd the Accusation a∣gainst the Officers, That they had Betrayed Agrigentum to the Carthaginians, and stirred up the People forthwith to take Revenge, and not to wait for Formalities of Law in execution of Justice. But Dionysius being Fin'd accor∣ding * 1.1 to Law by the Magistrates as a disturber of the publick Peace, Philistus (who afterwards writ a History, a very rich Man) paid the Fine for him, and bid him speak his Mind freely, and promis'd him to pay whatever was im∣pos'd upon him, if they fin'd him all the Day long.

Dionysius being thus encouraged, he stirr'd up the People, and fill'd the As∣sembly with Tumult by his Criminations, charging the Commanders, that for * 1.2 Bribes they had drawn off and forsaken the Agrigentines. He accus'd likewise many others of the best of the Citizens, traducing them that they aim'd to in∣troduce an Oligarchy; and told the Senate, That Commanders were not to be chosen according to their greatness in Power, but according to the Good Will and Regard they bore towards the People: For the Great Ones Lording it over them, had them in Contempt, and inrich'd themselves by the Losses of their Country; but Men of Low Fortunes never attempt any thing of such a nature, knowing their own disabi∣lity.

When he had spoken what he had design'd, and so agreeable to the Hu∣mour * 1.3 of the People, he set all the Assembly on a Flame; for the People be∣fore bore a secret Hatred to the Commanders, because they were suspected to have dealt falsly in the management of the War, and now being the more exasperated by the Speech of Dionysius, they forthwith depriv'd them of their Commands, and chose others in their room, amongst whom was Dionysius, a * 1.4 Man of great Esteem and Reputation with the Syracusians, for his approved Valour in several Battles against the Carthaginians.

Having gain'd this step of Preferment, he contriv'd all ways imaginable how to advance to the Sovereign Power over his Country; for after he was in∣vested * 1.5 with the Command, he never associated with the other Commanders, nor join'd with them in any Council of War. In the mean time he caus'd Ru∣mours to be spread Abroad, that they kept secret Correspondence with the Enemy, hoping thereby to get them laid aside, and so to have the sole Com∣mand of the Army lodg'd in himself. While he was executing these Pro∣jects, the most prudent Citizens suspected him, and every Assembly gave very hard and ill Words. On the other hand, the common People ignorant of his Deceit and Fraud, prais'd every thing he did, and published every where, that now at length they had got a faithful and constant Guardian and Defender of the City.

The Consults concerning Preparations for War being very frequent, and Dionysius discerning that the Syracusians were in a great Fright, he advised to recall the Exiles: For he said it was a very absurd thing to receive Aids of Strangers from Italy and Peloponesus, and yet to be backward in making use of their own Countrymen to withstand the common Danger, who are solicited by the Enemy with great Promises of Reward to join with them, and yet are content to wander up and down amongst Strangers, and dye rather than do any thing prejudical to their Country. For though they were Banish'd for stir∣ring * 1.6 up Sedition in the City, yet such kindness shew'd 'em, would in gratitude oblige them to fight chearfully for their Country. When he had spoken many things to this purpose, he at length procur'd the Suffrages of the People; for none of his Collegues durst contradict him, for that they both fear'd the Rage of the People, and likewise plainly saw, that nothing would redound thence, but hatred to themselves, and more love and favour to him.

Dionysius did this, for that he look'd upon the Exiles to be Men fit for his purpose, such as were given to change, and therefore ready Tools to make use of to serve his Ambition; who would delight to see their Enemies Throats cut, their Goods and Estates confiscate, and themselves restor'd. The Decree therefore for the recalling the Banish'd being publish'd, they presently re∣turn'd.

And now Letters coming from Gela, to desire Assistance to be speedily sent them, Dionysius made use of this fair opportunity for the carrying on his De∣sign; for he forthwith marched to Gela with Two Thousand Foot, and Four * 1.7 Hundred Horse, where Dexippus the Lacedemonian was Governor, with a strong Garrison: When he found the City in a Seditious Uproar rais'd by some a∣gainst the People, he condemns them that were accus'd in a Publick Assembly, puts them to Death, and confiscates their Estates, and with part of the Mony paid the Souldiers, that were in Garrison under Dexippus, all their old Arrears, and the rest he distributed amongst the Souldiers that came with him from Sy∣racuse, declaring their Pay order'd by the City should be double. By this * 1.8 means he wan both the Hearts of the Souldiers at Gela, and of those that went with him thither. The Geleans likewise cry'd him up to the Skies, as one that had freed them from Slavery: So that out of Envy to the great Men of the City, they decreed the Supream Power to Dionysius: Upon which, they sent Ambassadors to Syracuse to publish there his Praises, and likewise to shew the Decrees of the City, by which they had honour'd him with many marks of respect.

In the mean time Dionysius endeavour'd to bring over Dexippus into his Coun∣cils, * 1.9 but not being able to prevail, he determin'd to return to Syracuse with all his Forces. But the Geleans hearing that the Carthaginians had determin'd to set upon their City with their whole Power before any other, earnestly in∣treated Dionysius that he would not leave them, nor suffer their City to under∣go the same Calamity with them of Agrigentum. To whom he promis'd to return in a short time with greater Forces; and so left Gela.

Afterwards when the People came from the Theater from the Plays, Dio∣nysius at that very Hour return'd into Syracuse; whereupon the Citizens came thronging about him, and inquir'd what News he brought concerning the Car∣thaginians: To whom he answer'd,

That he had nothing to say of them, in regard their own Officers and Governors were more mischievous to the Commonwealth than the Enemies themselves; for whilst the Citizens led a∣way * 1.10 by their Flatteries, were diverted with Sports and Plays, they them∣selves impoverished the Commonwealth, and defrauded the Souldiers of their Pay. And now, that the Enemy at this very time, is making incredible Preparation for War, and are even upon the Borders of Syracuse, with a mighty Army, yet it is not at all by them regarded. To what end they acted thus, he suspected long since, but now he saw clearly their Drift. For Imilcar (he said) had sent by an Herald to him, pretending to redeem some Captives, but in truth secretly to persuade him not to use that Autho∣rity he had, to pry too narrowly into things that were in doing, or at least not to obstruct them, if he was not willing to join in the Execution. Therefore he declar'd he was not willing any longer to be General, but

was ready to lay down his Commission. For it was altogether intollerable that he only should hazard the loss of all he had with the rest of the Ci∣tizens, whilst others made Merchandize of their Country: Yea, by this means, he should become Partaker with them in their Treachery.

The Peo∣ple being inrag'd by what he had said, and his Words divulg'd through the whole Army, every one went to his own House, in great fear and perplexi∣ty.

The next Day an Assembly was called, where he loaded his Fellow Com∣manders with many Accusations; and by stirring up the People against them, greatly advanced his own Reputation. At length some in the Assembly cry'd out, to make him Generalissimo; and not to have the thing to be done when the Enemy was even Battering the Walls; alledging that the greatness of the War requir'd a General that was able to do eminent Service for the Com∣monwealth. And for the Traitors, it was better to inquire of them in ano∣ther * 1.11 Assembly hereafter; being now it was not so agreeable to the present po∣sture of Affairs. It was also remembred, that heretofore, when Gelon had sole the Command, they had overcome * 1.12 Three Hundred Thousand Cartha∣ginians.

Upon this, the People (who are always apt to close with the worst Ad∣vice) suddenly made Dionysius General with sole and absolute Power.

After things thus succeeded according to his Hearts Desire, he sign'd an Order, that the Souldiers should receive double Pay; alledging, that hereby they would be encouraged to fight more readily and chearfully; and bid the Syracusians not trouble or disturb themselves about Money, for there would be ways readily found out to bring in sufficient Supplies. But when the Assem∣bly was broken up, there were many of the Syracusians that condemn'd what was done, as if they had had no hand in confirming it: For after they had more seriously considered the thing, they foresaw Tyranny would follow. Thus while they sought after Freedom, they most imprudently plac'd a Tyrant over their Country.

Dionysius therefore to prevent the change of the Peoples Minds, began to contrive how he might procure a Guard for his Person: If he could gain this point, he concluded he could easily fix himself in the Sovereignty. Upon this, he commanded all that were able to bear Arms, not above Forty Years of Age, with Thirty Days Provision and their Arms, to march to the City Leontium: For this City was a Garrison belonging to the Syracusians, full of * 1.13 Strangers and Exiles; whom he hop'd would be assistant to him, being Men given to Innovations; and to this he was the more encouraged, for that he * 1.14 knew but few of the Syracusians would be there. For the better effecting of this Design, he encamp'd all Night in the Field; and as he lay there, he * 1.15 feign'd a Plot against his own Person, and caus'd a great Noise and Clamour to be made by his Servants and Attendants, upon which he fled to the Castle: Where after he had kindled several Fires, he sent for a strong Guard, and so pass'd that Night.

As soon as it was Day, and the Multitude were got together into the † 1.16 Ci∣ty, he used many probable Arguments suted to the matter in Hand, and brought over the People to give him liberty to chuse Six Hundred Men, such as he thought best for his Guard. And herein Dionysius is said to imitate Pi∣sistratus the Athenian, for he wilfully wounding himself (as if he had been as∣saulted by Treachery) came forthwith into the Assembly, and by that means (as it's reported) got a Guard from the Citizens, by whose help he gain'd the Supream Authority.

By the same Fraud, Dionysius cheating the People, became absolute Lord and Master over his Country; for he presently chose above a Thousand Men, such as were strong in Body, and low in Purse, and put them in Arms, and en∣couraged them with many large and glorious Promises. Then he brought all the Mercenary Souldiers to an intire Observance, and Obedience to him, by his winning and courteous Speeches. He made an alteration likewise in the * 1.17 Regiments, giving Commissions to them that he could most trust. Then he sent away Dexippus the Lacedemonian into Greece, for he suspected him, lest he should become an Head to the Syracusians, in case they should take an occasion

to seek to recover their Liberty. And now he sends for the Mercenaries from Gela, and gets together from every Place, all the Exiles and Lewd Fel∣lows, not doubting but by the help of these to establish himself in the King∣dom.

After his Return to Syracuse, when he had lodg'd his Forces in the * 1.18 Arse∣nal, he openly declar'd himself King: The Syracusians took this grievously, but were necessitated to be silent, because it was not in their power to do any thing else: For the whole City was full of Strangers that were in Arms, and all were in fear of the Carthaginians, who had a vast Army near at Hand.

Dionysius now presently marries the Daughter of Hermocrates (he who had routed the Athenians in Sicily) and gave his own Sister in Marriage to Po∣lyxenus, Hermocrates his Brother in Law. This he did to strengthen himself, by matching into an Honourable Family. After this, he summon'd a Gene∣ral Council, and contrived all ways imaginable, how to be rid of Daphneus and Demarchus, the most powerful of all his Adversaries.

Thus Dionysius from a Scrivener, and a Man of poor and mean Abstract, got the Sovereignty of the greatest City among the Grecians, and maintain'd * 1.19 his Dominion all the Days of his Life for the space of Thirty Eight Years. What things he afterwards did, and how he inlarged his Dominion, we shall relate in its proper Place: For very probably he gain'd the largest Dominion, and of the longest continuance of any that ever hath been compass'd by Usur∣pation.

After the Taking of the City Agrigentum, the Carthaginians transported to Carthage all the dedicated things laid up in the Temples, the Statues and Things of greatest value; and having burnt all the Temples to Ashes, and plunder'd the City, they quarter'd there all Winter: And in the mean time furnish'd themselves with Engines and all sorts of Weapons, with a Design to Besiege Gela, the first thing they did the next Spring.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.2

  Dionysius's Ac∣cusation of the Officers at Agrigentum.
• * 1.3

  P. 381.
• * 1.4

  Dionysius cho∣sen one of the Generals.
• * 1.5

  Ant. Chr. 403. His Contri∣vances to gain the Sovereign. Power.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.7

  Dionysius re∣lieves Gela.
• * 1.8

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.9

  P. 382.
• * 1.10

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.11

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Dionysius made sole Ge∣neral.
• * 1.13

  P. 383.
• * 1.14

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.15

  Dionysius his Project to get a Guard.
• † 1.16

  Leontium.
• * 1.17

  Ant. Ch. 403.
• * 1.18

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Dionysius de∣clares himself King.
• * 1.19

  Ant. Chr. 403.