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. XIV.

The Famous Battle of Arginuse at Sea, wherein the Athenians, were Victors. The Officers accus'd for not Burying the Dead. The Speech of Diomedon. The Death of Sophocles.

THE Athenians weaken'd with continual Losses, made all Strangers and Fo∣reigners Free of their City that would engage with them in the War. When a great multitude were Incorporated into the City, the Commanders Listed all that were fit for War, Equip'd out of a Fleet of Sixty Sail, with which (every way well provided) they sail'd to Samos, where they found other Commanders, who had brought together Fourscore more Gallies from other Islands; and having procured * 1.1 ten more from the Samians, they weighed Anchor, and made with their whole Fleet (consisting of an Hundred and Fifty Sail) to the Islands * 1.2 Arginuse, with a Design to raise the Siege at Mitylene. But Callicratides, the Lacedemonian General, having In∣telligence of the Approach of the Enemy, left Etonicus with a great Force, to main∣tain the Siege, and sail'd himself with all Speed, with a Fleet of one Hundred and forty Sail, well Man'd, to Arginuse. These Islands were then inhabited, and had a lit∣tle Town in them Peopl'd by the Eolians. They lye between Mitylene and Cuma, near to the Continent and the Promontory † 1.3 Catanides. The Athenians, in regard their Na∣vy, * 1.4 lay not far from thence, heard time enough of the Advance of the Enemy's Fleet: yet because the Wind was very high, they wav'd fighting that day, and prepar'd to engage the next. The like did the Lacedemonians; for the Augures on both sides dis∣swaded each from fighting. For the Head of the Lacedemonians Sacrifice, being laid upon the Shore, was suddainly wash'd away by the violence of the Waves. Upon

which the Priest foretold the death of the Admiral: To which it is reported Calli∣cratides made Answer, That the Glory of Sparta would not be obscur'd by his Death. Thrasybulus likewise, the Athenians Admiral, who had the Chief Command that Day, had this Dream; the Night before, he dreamt that he, and six other Commanders, in a full Theater at Athens, acted the Tragedy of Euripides, call'd Phenissa, and that the Enemies acted that call'd The Suppliants; and that at length he obtain'd a ‖ 1.5 Cadmean Victory, and all of them were kill'd, like those at the Siege of Thebes: which when the Sooth-sayer heard, he interpreted it, That seven of the Chief Commanders should fall in the Fight. But in regard that the Intrails portended Vi∣ctory, they commanded nothing should be said of their Deaths, but only to their Friends; but that they should publish abroad to the whole Army, that Victory was certainly promis'd by the View of the Sacrifices.

Then Callicratides calling the Souldiers together, made a Speech to them suited to the Occasion; and further added,

I am so chearful and ready to undergo all hazards for * 1.6 the sake of my Country, that altho' the Augur has foretold my Death, by the Portents of the Sacrifice; yet inasmuch as he has also pronounc'd assured Victory to You, I am im∣patient of delay, and ready and willing presently to die. And that the Army may not * 1.7 be disturb'd, and in confusion by the Death of their Admiral, I now appoint another, who may succeed me, in case I fall; and that is Clearchus, a Man known to be an expe∣rienc'd good Souldier.

Callicratides stirr'd up many with these words, to imitate his Va∣lour, and to hasten the Battle. The Lacedemonians now encouraging one another, im∣barqu'd; so likewise the Athenians (hearten'd by their Officers) went aboard, and every one plac'd themselves according to their Squadrons. Thrasybulus and Pericles command∣ed the Right Wing, (this was Pericles the Son of that Pericles, the Famous Orator, whose Surname was Olympus.) But the Command of part of this Wing he deliver'd to Thera∣menes, who was at first but a Common Souldier, but afterwards at several times, com∣manded considerable Forces: the rest of the Officers he plac'd in their Order through∣out the whole Fleet; and compassing the Islands call'd Arginuse, he drew out his Fleet in a Line, as long as possibly he could. On the other side, Callicratides advancing into the open Sea, commanded the Right Wing: The Beotians were in the Left, com∣manded by Thrasonidas the Theban. But when they saw that they could not reach to equal the Line of the Enemy, because the Islands stretcht out so far, he divided his Navy into two parts, and fought in two places. This amaz'd the Beholders from all * 1.8 parts, as if four Fleets, with no less than three hundred Sail, close together, were hotly engag'd. For this was the greatest Sea-Fight that ever was fought, by Grecians against Grecians, that any History commemorates. And now at one instant all the Trum∣pets were commanded by the Admirals to sound a Charge, and the Armies on both sides set up great Shouts in their turns, one against another, and plying their Oars with great heat and earnestness, every one strove who should be the first in making the Onset. For there were many, that by reason of the long continuance of the War, were well instructed for Fights at Sea; and the Battle was very hot and obstinate on both sides, in regard the Best and Stoutest Men were got together to fight, in order to get or lose all at once: For none doubted but this Battle would put an end to the War, which side soever got the Victory. But Callicratides, knowing by the Predi∣ctions of the Augurs, that he was to die, endeavour'd to make his Death Honourable and Glorious. Therefore he made up fiercely upon the Gallies of Nausias, the Vice-Admiral, whom he sunk, with those next to him, at the first Charge; others he dis∣abled, striking them through with the Beaks of his Ships, and others he made useless for Fight, by brushing off their Oars. At length he struck the Ship of Pericles with such violence, that he tore off one great part from another. But the Fore-part of his own Ship was so fix'd by the Fierceness of the Stroak in the Prow of his Enemies Ship, that he could not clear himself off: Upon which Pericles cast Grappling-Irons into * 1.9 Callicratides his Vessel, and so forc'd him up close side to side; and thereupon the Athe∣nians in a great Body, boarded him, and put all in the Ship to the Sword. Here it is reported, that Callicratides (after he had behav'd himself with great Gallantry a long time, and receiv'd many Wounds in all parts of his Body) at length weary'd out, fell * 1.10 down dead: The Report of his Death, running through the Fleet, the Peloponesians struck with a Pannick Fear, began presently to fly: But tho' the Right Wing fled, yet the Beotians in the Left, stuck to it, and fought stoutly for some time; for they of Eubea (being in the same common Danger) were very Faithful to them, and all those

that had revolted from the Athenians, were afraid lest they (if they recover'd their former Power) would revenge themselves upon them that had deserted 'em. But when the Beotians saw that the greatest part of the Fleet was routed and broken in pieces, and that they were more and more press'd upon by multitudes that made up upon them, they fled outright. Some of the Peloponesians fled to Chius, others to Cumea. But the Athenians pursu'd 'em very far, and fill'd all the Sea-Coasts with Carcasses of the Dead, and Wrecks of Ships. After this, some of the Commanders advis'd, that the Bodies of those that were slain, should be taken up, because the Athenians us'd severely to punish them, who neglected that last Office. Others were rather for sailing back forthwith to Mitylene, and in the first place to raise the Siege: But pre∣sently arose a most violent Tempest, by which the Ships were greatly shatter'd and broken; so that by this, and the toil of the late Engagement, the Spirits of the Souldiers were very low, so that the taking up the Bodies of the Dead was defer'd. Atlength, the Storm rag'd and increas'd to that degree, that they could neither gain Mitylene, nor * 1.11 perform what they ought for the Dead: So that being driven back by the Storm, they arriv'd with the Fleet at Arginuse. In this Fight the Athenians lost five and twenty of their Ships, and most of their Men in them. But the Peloponesians seventy seven. There * 1.12 were so many Ships and Men destroy'd, that all the Sea-Coasts of Cumea and Phocea, seem'd to be fill'd with Carcasses and Wrecks.

Eleonicus, who was besieging Mitylene, having certain Intelligence of the Defeat * 1.13 of the Peloponesians, sent away all the Shipping to Chios; he himself march'd away with the Land-Army, to a Confederate City of the Tyrrenians, being afraid, lest, by a Sally out of the Town, when the Athenian Fleet came up, his whole Army should be cut off. When the Athenians arriv'd at Mitylene, they took thence Conon along with them, with forty Sail, and pass'd over to Samos, and there wasted and spoil'd all their Ene∣my's Country.

After these thing, the Lacedemonians in Eolis and Ionia, and the dispers'd Islands, met in a Common Council at Ephesus; and after many Bandings and Discourses, pro and con, they at length resolv'd to send an Ambassador to Sparta, to desire that Lysan∣der might be constituted Admiral of the Navy: For that he approv'd himself with great Commendation, when he was in Command, and was judg'd to be the most * 1.14 Shilful General.

But because the Lacedemonians would not alter the Ancient Custom of their Coun∣try, they made Aratus Admiral; and sent Lysander with him, as a Private Man, to be his Assistant; with this strict Command, That the General should always follow his Advice and Councel. Thus being sent forth to manage the Command of the Fleet, they got togetherfrom Peloponesus and their Confederates, as many Gallies as possibly they could.

The Athenians when they receiv'd the happy Tydings of their Success at Arginuse, highly applauded the Commanders for the Victory; but were very angry that they neglected to bury those, who had lost their Lives in the Defence of the Government.

Theramenes and Thrasybulus, coming before the rest to Athens, the other Offi∣cers * 1.15 suspecting they would accuse 'em to the People for their Neglect, in not Bury∣ing the Dead, sent Letters against them, whereby they signify'd, that the Care of In∣terring them that were slain, was committed to them, which was the Chief Cause of all the Mischief that afterwards fell upon the other Officers. For whereas they might before have easily made Theramenes, and the rest of his Party, their Patrons and Ad∣vocats in the Accusations laid against them, being Men that were excellent Speakers, and of great Interest; and that which was most considerable, were best acquainted with every thing that was done in the Battle; Now on the contrary, they had so * 1.16 far disoblig'd 'em, that they became their most bitter Enemies and Prosecutors. For when the Letters were read to the People, they were presently all on fire against The∣ramenes: But he having clear'd himself, their Rage was all turn'd again upon the other Officers. The People therefore assign'd 'em a Day to be heard, and order'd the For∣ces to be deliver'd over to Conon, whom they exempted from this Bill; all the rest they commanded by an Absolute Decree forthwith to return: Among whom Aristo∣genes and Protomachus, fearing the Rage of the People, fled: But Thrasyllus, Calliades, Lysias, Pericles, and Aristocrates, return'd to Athens, with agreat number of Ships, upon this Confidence, that by the Mediation of those they had brought along with them, who were very many, they should be acquit. But after the Assembly came together, the People yielded a quick Ear to the Accusations, and whatever the * 1.17 Demagogues said, it was well taken; but when the Accus'd began to speak, a Tumult arose, and

they could not be heard in their own Defence. And besides, the Relations of them that were kill'd, did no little further their Ruin; who came weeping and wailing into the Senate, earnestly desiring that the Commanders might suffer for their Neglect, * 1.18 in not Burying them, who had valiantly lost their Lives for their Country. At length, the Friends of the Dead, and those that prosecuted with Theramenes (of whom many were then present) prevail'd. And thereupon the Commanders were condemn'd to die, and their Estates to be conficate. Sentence being thus given, just as they were leading to Execution by the ‖ 1.19 Lictors, Diomedon, one of them, an Excellent Souldier, and reputed a Just Man, and Eminent in all other Virtuous Qualifications, stood up, and Silence being made through the whole Assembly, thus began:—

Ye Men * 1.20 of Athens, we heartily wish that the Sentence now pronounc'd against us, may issue in the Prosperity and Happiness of this City: But since Fortune has prevented us * 1.21 from paying our Vows, and giving Thanks to the Gods, for the Victory, 'tis most just and fit You should perform it: See therefore that Ye do it to Jove, to Apollo, and * 1.22 the Glorious Goddesses; for by Prayers to them, we have overcome the Enemy.

When he had said this, he was hurry'd away with the rest to Execution; many of the Best of the Citizens bemoaning his Fate with Tears, For he who now went to suffer, ne∣ver in the least complain'd of the Hardness of his Case, but only advis'd his Coun∣trymen: (who then acted so wickedly) to make their Addresses to the Gods; which was a clear Indication of a Man of a Pious and Generous Spirit, little deserving such base and unworthy Usage. In short, the Eleven Commanders were all put to Death, by the Officers appointed by Law, tho' they had never done the City the least Injury; but on the contrary, benefited their Country, by a Victory gain'd in a Sea-Fight, the Greatest that was ever fought, by Grecians against Grecians; and besides were Men whose Valour had been remarkable, in several Battles, and who had had Statues before erected in Memory of their Victories. The People were then so desperately mad and * 1.23 enrag'd by the Orators, beyond all Bounds of Justice, that they gratify'd their Anger and Revenge, upon Men that were not only Innocent, but deserv'd rather Honour and Rewards.

But not long after, both the Accusers that stir'd up the People, and the People themselves, who gave Credit to their Criminations, sorely Repented of what was done, as if God himself had taken Revenge of them for the Fact: For they that were so willing to be deluded by these Malicious Instigations, not long after receiv'd the Reward of their Folly; when not One, but thirty Domineering Masters were by force set over them. Then was Callixeus (he that gave Sentence of Death against the Ac∣cus'd) upon this Change of the People, charg'd as one that had deceiv'd them, and without being admitted to any Defence, was Committed, and carry'd to the Common-Goal; but by the help of some Friends, breaking through the Walls, he fled to the Enemy at Deoelea; so that by the Avoiding of Death at this time, he was pointed at, as it were, by the Finger, for his Notorious Wickedness, not only at Athens, but a∣mongst all the other Grecians abroad, all the Days of his Life after.

These are almost all the Things that are reported to be done this Year. Amongst * 1.24 the Writers, Philistus concludes the First Part of the Affairs of Sicily with this Year, and with the Taking of Agrigentum; comprehending in seven Volumes; the History of above Eight hundred Years. He begins the other Part where the former ended, and proceeds in his Relations contain'd in four Books. About this Time died Sophocles, the * 1.25 Tragedian, the Son of Theophilus, ninety Years of Age. He gain'd eighteen Victories upon the Stage: It's reported of him, That when he Acted his last Tragedy, and * 1.26 came off Conqueror, he fell into so violent a Laughter, that he fell down dead. Ap∣pollodorus, * 1.27 a Writer of Chronicles, reports that Euripides likewise died this Year. But others relate, That being entertain'd with Archelaus, King of Macedonia, once walk∣ing abroad into the Fields, some Dogs met him, by whom he was torn in pieces; and so miserably perish'd, a little before this Year.

Notes

• * 1.1

  P. 384.
• * 1.2

  Three Is∣lands, lying between Les∣bos and Eo∣lis, near to Cane.
• † 1.3

  Or Cane. Ant. Ch. 403.
• * 1.4

  The Famous Battle of Ar∣ginuse.
• ‖ 1.5

  Thebes was built by Cadmus, and call'd Cadmea; and the Thebans lost so many (tho' they got the Victory) in the Old War of Thebes, that it was call'd Cadmea Victoria. The seven Ge∣nerals that came against Thebes, were all kill'd but one. See Diodor. lib. 4. 267, 268.
• * 1.6

  The Brave Speech of Cal∣licratides.
• * 1.7

  Ant. Chr. 404.
• * 1.8

  Ant. Chr. 403. P. 385.
• * 1.9

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.10

  Callicratides kill'd.
• * 1.11

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.12

  The Athe∣nians Victors at Arginuse.
• * 1.13

  Mitylene re∣liev'd. P. 386.
• * 1.14

  Ante Chr. 403.
• * 1.15

  The Officers accus'd at A∣thens for not Burying the Dead.
• * 1.16

  Ant. Chr. 403.
• * 1.17

  The Ora∣tors, or Coun∣sel for the People.
• * 1.18

  The Brave Athenian Offi∣cers put to Death by the People.
• ‖ 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, She∣riffs.
• * 1.20

  The Speech of Diomedon.
• * 1.21

  Ant. Ch. 403.
• * 1.22

  P. 387.
• * 1.23

  Ant. Ch. 403.
• * 1.24

  Philistus the Historian.
• * 1.25

  Death of So∣phocles.
• * 1.26

  Euripides.
• * 1.27

  Ant. Chr. 403.