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. VI.

Artaxerxes sends again to make Peace among the Grecians. All compli'd but the The∣bans. The Spartans raise an Army against the Thebans. Epaminondas made the Theban General. The famous Battle of Leuctra. The terrible Seditions and Cruelties in Argos. Jason of Pherae stirs up the Thessalonians to gain the So∣vereignty of Greece. Pollydore Prince of Pherea in Greece poison'd by his Bro∣ther Alexander. Plot to depose Alexander. King of Macedonia Treated with, to that purpose.

ABout this time Artaxerxes King of Persia hearing that Greece was fallen into new Broils, sent Ambassadors again to exhort them to live in peace one with another, according to the late Establishment. The Grecians readily compli'd with the Advice, and * 1.1 and all made Peace again among themselves, except the Thebans. For they were not admitted into the League because they challeng'd all Beotia to be under their own Go∣vernment. And it was Decreed that all the Cities should be bound by Oath to observe the League. Being therefore excluded (as they were before) they kept Beotia under

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the sole Jurisdiction of their own City. Upon which the Lacedemonians being inrag'd, resolv'd to make War upon them as the common Enemies of Greece. For their grow∣ing Pow'r began to be suspected, lest (being Masters of all Baeotia) they should some * 1.2 time or other catch an opportunity to deprive Sparta of the Sovereign Command. E∣specially for that they were a Warlike Nation, Inferior to none in Greece, and by their daily Exercise in the publick Schools, their Bodies became far stronger; and besides had many valiant Commanders, and especially three, Epaminondas, Gorgias,: and Pelopidas. And to this may be added, That the Thebans by reason of the Nobility of their Ancestors (who were famous in the Heroick times) were of Proud and Lordly Spirits, and ever aspiring to great matters. Upon this account the Lacedemonians this Year rais'd an Army, compos'd of their own Cities and of their Confederates, and prepar'd themselves for War. So that

When Phrasichides was Lord Chancellor of Athens, and the Romans appointed Eight Military Tribunes to execute the Office of Consuls, viz. Publius Manlius, Caius Erenu∣cius, * 1.3 Caius Sextius, Tiberius Julius, * 1.4 Lucius * 1.5 Labinius, Publius Fibonius, Caius Manlius, and Lucius Antistius, The Thebans excluded from the common League, were forc'd by their own strength alone, to bear the brunt of the War against the Lacedemonians; for by the Articles of the Peace (Ratifi'd and confirm'd by all) none of the Cities were to send them any Aid or Relief. Therefore the Lacedemonians (now that the Thebans were whol∣ly desert'd) decreed a War against them, and were resolv'd to subject Thebes to the La∣cedemonian State. And forasmuch as all observ'd that the Lacedemonians made extraordi∣nary preparations, and that the Thebans on the other hand had none to stand by them, every body was of opinion that they would be easily Conquer'd by the Spartans. And therefore all that wish'd them well were much troubl'd and concern'd for them, to see * 1.6 their inevitable Ruin approaching. But their Enemies on the contrary rejoyc'd, a, if the Thebans were even already subdu'd.

When the Lacedemonians had rais'd their Army, they Created Cléombrotus General. And in the first Place sent Ambassadors to Thebes to demand that all the Cities of Beotia * 1.7 should be allow'd to Govern themselves according to their own Laws, and that Platea and Thespiae should be Rebuilt, and that those Territories should be restor'd to the Ancient Proprietors. To which the Thebans answer'd, That as they did not concern themselves with the matters of Laconia, so the Lacedemonians ought not to meddle with the Affairs of Beotia. Upon receiving of this answer, the Lacedemonians (without any further de∣lay) order'd Cleombrotus to March with the Army against Thebes. And the Lacedemonian Confederates were very ready to join in this War, hoping that the Beotians would be subdu'd * 1.8 with little or no fighting, and without any great Labour or Pains.

Marching on therefore, they Encomp'd at Cheronea, and there waited for their Con∣federates, who came in but slowly. In the mean time the Thebans hearing of the Ene∣mies March, sent their Wives and Children for security to Athens. Then they made Epaminondas General of the Army, and intrusted him with the management of the whole * 1.9 War, joining with him six Beotians and Governors of Beotia as his Council. He listed whoever was of Age able and fit to bear Arms among the Thebans, and likewise among the other Beotians, and having now an Army not above Six thousand, with these he March'd out of Thebes; at which Instant of time some Prodigies were seen, which boded no good Success. For as they were going out at the Gates, there met them an Herald that (according to ancient Custom) led a blind Man (that had ran away) and cry'd aloud, Bring him not out of Thebes, nor put him to Death, but carry him back again and save his Life. The old Men took this Cry of the Herald for an evil sign: But the young Men held their peace, lest by their Timorousness they should seem to have a de∣sire to diswade Epaminondas from the Expedition, he had undertaken. To those that were pressing upon him first to consider well of these Presages, he answer'd in this Verse,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. * 1.10 It is a happy sign to fight for his Country.

Such a frank resolution had no sooner dash'd and caus'd those that were Timorous to Blush, but another Prodigy more frightful happen'd. For a Secretary went before car∣rying * 1.11 a * 1.12 Javelin, to which a Scroll was annex'd, to signify that the Army was to obey the Orders and Commands of their Generals. It fell out that a high Wind blew off this Scroll, and fix'd it upon a Pillar of a Tomb, in which very place some Lacedemonians and Peloponnesians, that formerly follow'd Agesilaus were bury'd, and had been there slain:

Upon which the ancient Men again with protestations dissuaded him from going any

fur∣ther with the Army, seeing the Gods so evidently oppos'd the design. But the General return'd them no answer, but cheerfully March'd on preferring at that time the Hone∣sty and Justice of his Cause, before uncertain Observations and Conclusions upon Signs and Prodigies.

And tho' Epaminondas who was a great Philosopher manag'd all this Affair with great Prudence and Discretion, yet in the mean time he incurr'd the Cen∣sure of many. But not long after when success of the Action evinc'd the Excellency of * 1.13 his Military Conduct, we see him instrumental in performing many things to the great Advantage and Service of his Country. For he March'd away directly, and gain'd the Streights near Coronea, and Encamp'd there. Cleombrotus, when he heard that the Enemy had possess'd themselves of that Pass, not looking upon it Feazible to regain it, turn'd aside another way by Phocis, and March'd along by the Sea-shore, where tho' the way was very rugged and difficult, yet at length he came without any prejudice to the Confines of Beotia: But in his passage he took in some small Towns, and gain'd some Gallies. At last he arriv'd at Leuctra, and there Encamp'd, and refresh'd his Army.

In the mean time the Beotians Marching forward, drew near to the Enemy; and as soon as they recover'd the Hills, and saw the greatness of the Lacedemonian Army, Co∣vering the Plains of Leuctra, they were not a little amaz'd. Hereupon the Booetarchs cal∣l'd a Council of War to Consider whether it were advisable to go on, and Fight upon * 1.14 such unequal Terms, or else to March Back, and Engage with the Enemy in some more commodious Place. It happen'd that upon this Consult, the Votes were equal: For there being Six of these Boeotarchs or Governors of Boeotia, Three were for going Back, and the other Three for abiding where they were, and to try their Fortune by a Battle, of which last Number Epaminondas was one. While the matter stood thus doubtful, and nothing could be determin'd, the Seventh Boeotarch at length came in, and Epaminondas * 1.15 persuaded him to give his Vote on his side, and so he carry'd it. And thus it was deter∣min'd to lay all at Stake and try it out by a Battle. Epaminondas then perceiving that the Soldiers were still superstitiously possess'd with the former ominous Signs, and Prodi∣gies, endeavour'd by all the Art and Industry possibly he could to remove these Opinions and Suspicions of his Soldiers. To this end, upon some Persons coming newly into the Camp, from Thebe's, he caus'd a Report to be spread abroad, that all the Arms that hung up in Hercules Temple were on a sudden gone and not to be found, and that it was commonly nois'd in Thebes, That the Ancient Heroes had taken them away, and were gone out to the assistance of the Thebans. He Suborn'd likewise another to say, he lately came up out of Trophonius his Cell, and he affirm'd that the Oracle there Com∣manded * 1.16 him to tell them that when they had gain'd the Victory at Leuctra, they should institute the Coronet Festivals to Jupiter. From whence arose that Custom of keeping a yearly Solemnity by the Boeotians at Lebadia. And besides this Skill and Prudence of the General, Leandras the Spartan (who was Banish'd from Lacedemon, and then in Arms with the Thebans) was not little serviceable in this Affair. For being call'd into the * 1.17 Assembly, he affirm'd that the Spartans had an ancient Prophecy, That when they were beaten by the Thebans at Leuctra, they should lose their Principality. At length some of the Inhabitants of the Country who undertook to Interpret the Oracles came to Epaminondas, and declar'd that it was decreed by the Gods, That a great slaughter should be made of the Lacedemonians at the Tombs of the Daughters of Leuctrus and Schedasus, for the Reasons herein after related. Leuotrus was he from whom the Field was so call'd. And his Daughters, and the Daughters of one Schedasus, Virgins, in the Flow'r of their Age, were Deflowr'd by the Spartan Ambassadors; the young Women not able to endure that great Dishonour and Disgrace, (with many Imprecations against that Nation who sent such wicked Ambassadors) laid violent hands on themselves. When these and other such like things were alledg'd, Epaminondas call'd the Soldiers to∣gether, and in an Oration fitted for the purpose, encourag'd them to the Battle: Upon which the Soldiers (being now freed from their Superstitious conceits) chang'd their minds, and long'd to be Engag'd with the Enemy.

About this time came some Auxiliary Forces to the Thebans from Thessaly, Fifteen hun∣dred Foot, and Five hundred Horse, under the Command of Jason. This Man advis'd both the Thebans and the Lacedemonians (upon consideration of the uncertainty of the Events of War) to agree upon terms of Peace; which took its effect. And now Cleom∣brotus withdrew his Forces out of Beotia, and in his March a great Army from the Lacede∣monians and their Confederates under the Command of Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus met him For the Spartans seeing the Courage and Resolution of the Beotians, and not judging it advisable to slight Men that seem'd to be resolv'd, and to run upon the Pikes at

all adventures, had sent forth his other Army (by their multitude at least) to give a check to the Insolency of the Enemy. Drawing up therefore in a Body together (and looking upon it a base and mean thing, below the Dignity of the Spartans so much as to think the Valour of the Beotians worthy of any regard,) without any respect had to the late League, they rashly and precipitately return'd to Leuctra: Where they found the Beotians (with great earnestness) expecting and desiring a Battle. Upon this, the * 1.18 Armies on both sides were drawn up in Battalia in this manner, on the part of the La∣cedemonians, Cleombrotus and Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus (both descended from Her∣cules) Commanded the two Wings: On the other side Epaminondas Marshall'd his Ar∣my after a new and peculiar manner, by which excellent Stratagem he gain'd that glori∣ous Victory never to be forgotten. For he chose out of the whole Army the best and strongest of the Soldiers, and plac'd them in that Wing where he himself would Com∣mand. In the other he plac'd his weaker Men, with a Command not to abide the E∣nemies Charge, but by a soft and slow retreat to avoid the shock. Having therefore thus order'd an oblique Phalanx, he resolv'd to try the Fortune of the Day with the o∣ther Wing under his Command. And now the Trumpets Sounded a Charge on both sides, and on first onset the Armies set up a great shout: The Lacedemonians came on with both their Wings in fashion of an half Moon: On the other hand the Beotians Retreated with one of their Wings, and charg'd fiercely on the Enemy with the other. When they came to the swords point, both Fought very desperately, and at first the Vic∣tory was very doubtful, but at length they with Epaminondas by their Valour and close Order, broke in upon the Peleponnesians, and made a great slaughter amongst them; For * 1.19 they were not able any longer to bear the weight of the Shock wherewith they were press'd, but some were slain downright upon the Spot, others mortally Wounded brave∣ly receiving all their wounds upon their Breasts. As long as Cleombrotus the Lacedemonian King was alive, it was uncertain whether side would carry away the Victory, because he had a strong Body of Targateers with him, who fought resolutely in his defence. But as soon as he fell down dead, (after many wounds receiv'd and much Valour shewn on his part, tho' all ineffectual) they throng'd together about his Body where they hewn down in heaps one upon another. And now this Wing being without a leader, the Epaminondians charg'd the Lacedemonians with that fierceness that they forc'd them by degrees into disorder. However the Lacedemonians fought so bravely for the Body of their King, that at length they possess'd themselves of it, tho' they were not able to gain * 1.20 the Day. For those choice Bands with Epaminondas standing to it as unconquerable (en∣courag'd likewise both by the words and example of their Leader) the Lacedemonians at length (with much ado) began to give ground. And indeed at first they did not (to * 1.21 appearance) break their Order of Battle in their Retreat; but when the slaughter in∣creas'd, and they had now no Commander to give necessary Orders, the whole Army fled outright. The Epaminondians pursu'd them close, and with the slaughter of a multi∣tude of their Enemies gain'd a glorious Victory. For by their engaging with the most famous Warriours of Greece, and becoming Victorious with an Army far short in Num∣ber of their Enemies, they highly advanc'd the reputation of their Valour. But Epa∣minondas the General was judg'd worthy of the greatest Honour and Esteem, because chiefly by his Valour and Prudence he had routed those Commanders of Greece, who were never before Conquer'd. The Lacedemonians lost in this Battle no fewer then four thousand Men: Of the Beotians were kill'd about Three hundred. Afterwards they made a Truce for the burying of the Dead, and the return of the Lacedemonians into Peloponnesus. And this was the Issue of the Battel of Leuctra.

The Year following, when Dysnicetus was Praetor of Athens, and four Military Tri∣bunes, Quintus Servilius, Lucius Furius, Caius Licinnius and Publius Clelius Executed the * 1.22 Consular Dignity at Rome, the Thebans march'd with a great Army against Orchomenum, with a full purpose utterly to ruin that City. But they were advis'd by Epaminondas, in regard they sought to gain the Principality of Greece, that it was their Interest to use their Victory with Moderation. Whereupon they left off their design, and receiv'd the Orchomenians as their Consederates: Afterwards they made a League with the Phoceans and Atolians, and so return'd into Beotia.

At that time Jason Prince of * 1.23 Pherae (whose power grew every Day) invaded * 1.24 Lo∣cris with a great Army, and raz'd * 1.25 Heraclea in Trachinia after it was betray'd into his hands, and bestow'd their Territories on the * 1.26 Octeans and Melieans. Thence Marching into Perrhebia, he courted some of the Cities into submission, and gain'd others by force of Arms.

The Thessalians seeing him mount up so fast, and in so short time, began to be jea∣lous * 1.27 of the growth of his Power, and the heat of his Ambition.

But in the mean time there arose such a Sedition, follow'd with such Butcheries in Ar∣gos, that the like had never been before in any of the Cities of Greece: Which new and un∣heard of Cruelty was call'd by the Grecians * 1.28 Scytalism, from the manner of the slaughter Committed. And the Cause of the Tumult was this: Argos was Govern'd by a Demo∣cracy; The * 1.29 Orators, and those that affected Popularity, stirr'd up the Mob against the great Men of the City; which caus'd them for their own preservation, (and to free themselves from the false accusations that were prosecuted against them) to Plot and Contrive how to overturn the Democratical Government. And when some who were suspected were call'd in question, others fearing they should be put to the Rack, Mur∣der'd themselves. For One in the height of his Torments Confess'd, and Accus'd Thirty of the greatest Men of the City to be in the Conspiracy; upon which the People (without any further Trial,) Knockt them all on the Head, and Confiscated their Estates. * 1.30 And whereas there were many others seiz'd upon suspition of the Plot (and the false Accusations manag'd against them by the Orators, with all the aggravation▪ imaginable) the People were so enrag'd, that whoever were accus'd (of whom there was a vast number, and all very Rich) were Condemn'd to Death; so that there were Executed * 1.31 above Sixteen hundred of the greatest and most powerful Men of the City: Neither were the Orators themselves spar'd; for when they slack'd in the Prosecution of the Calumnies (because they were afraid left some sudden mischief would overtake them by reason of the extraordinary Cruelties that were Committed) the People concluded that they had deserted their Cause, which put them into such a ferment of Rage and Fury, that they kill'd all the Orators that were then in the City; which seem'd to be Executed upon them by the Hand of some revenging Deity, as a reward of their Villanies. After the Tumult was ceas'd, the People return'd to their former quiet, and paeceable disposi∣tions.

About this time Lycomedes of Tegeata perswaded the Arcadians to join together in one Body of a Commonwealth and to Constitute a General Council, consisting of Ten thousand Men, who should have absolute power to Determine all matters relating both to War and Peace. But a Tumult hapning among the Arcadians, the controversie was decided by the Sword; many being kill'd, and above Fourteen hundred Banish'd, some to Sparta, others to * 1.32 Pallantium. Those that fled to the Pallantines were by them deli∣ver'd up into the hands of their Enemies, who cut all their Throats. The other put on the Lacademonians to make an Inroad into Arcadia: Upon which, Agesilaus King of Sparta with an Army made up of the Citizens and Exiles, broke into the Territories of Tageata, because they were look't upon to be the Fomenters of all the Broils and Banish∣ments amongst the Arcadians, and wasted and spoil'd the Country, which together with a strait Siege laid to the City, greatly terrifi'd the Arcadians.

While these things were acting, Jason who rul'd at Phercae (a Man excellently well * 1.33 vers'd in Military Affairs) who had now many of the Neighbouring Countries for his Confederates, perswaded the Thessalians to end eavour to gain the Sovereignty of Greece to themselves. For he alledg'd that whoever would Fight for it, might now gain it as a reward of their Valour. For that it was evident that the Lacedemonians were miserably Ru∣in'd at Leuctra; and the Athenians were only Masters at Sea, and the Thebans far unwor∣thy of such a Dignity; and in Conclusion, that the Argives had weaken'd themselves with their own Civil Dissentions, and bloody Broils. Upon this, the Thessalians made Jason General of all their Forces, and Committed to him the whole Management of the War, who having now receiv'd the Supream Command, March'd into some of the neighbouring Countries, and enter'd into a League with Amyntas King of Macedonia.

This Year there happen'd what was very remarkable; For Three great Princes Di'd * 1.34 near one and the same time, Amyntas the Son of Tharrhaleus (after he had Reign'd in Macedon Four and twenty Years) dy'd, leaving behind him three Sons, Alexander, Per∣diccas and Philip. Alexander Succeeded, but Reign'd but one Year. Then Agesipolis King of Lacedemon after one Year's Reign dy'd likewise: His Brother Cleomenes succeeded him, and sat at the Helm Four and thirty Years. At last Jason of Pherae, whom the Thessali∣ans had lately made their General (tho' he Govern'd with great Moderation and Kind∣ness towards his Subjects) was Assassinated by Seven young Men, as Ephorus says, who (in hopes of Praise and Commendation) had Conspir'd for that purpose: But others write that he was Murther'd by his Brother Polydore, who Reign'd not above one Year * 1.35 after him. Here Durius the Samian begins his History of the Affairs of Greece. And these were the things done this Year.

Afterwards, when Lysistratus Govern'd in Chief at Athens, a great Sedition arose in * 1.36 Rome, for some were for making of Consuls, others were for Creating Military Tribunes in their room: And by reason of this dissention there was an Anarchy for some time. But at length, Six Military Tribunes were chosen, which were Lucius Amilius, Caius * 1.37 Verginius, Serulius Sulpitius, Lucius Quintius, Caius Cornelius, and Caius Valerius. About the same time, Polydore the Pherean Prince of Thessaly (when he was drunk) was poyson∣ed by a deadly Potion given him by his Brother Alexander, who Succeeded him, and Reign'd eleven Years. And as he got into the Throne by wickedness and injustice, so he rul'd (as he ever design'd) with Tyranny and Oppression: And whereas all those before him by their Moderation and Kindness to their Subjects, gain'd the Love and Good-will of all, he by his severe and tyrannical Government, became the Object of all Mens hatred. Therefore some of Larissa who from their high Birth were sirnam'd Alevadari, (fearing what might be the Effect of his Wickedness) Conspir'd to Dethrone him. To this end they made a Journey into Macedonia, and Treated with Alexander the King, in * 1.38 order to Assist them in Deposing of the Tyrant. While they were Negociating this Af∣fair, Alexander the Pharean (having Intelligence of the preparations making against him) rais'd a considerable Army, designing to Engage with the Enemy in Macedonia; but the King of Macedon being join'd with the Deserters, brought his Forces presently to La∣rissa, * 1.39 and so prevented him: When he came there, the Citizens open'd the Gates to him, and so he became Master of all but the Castle, which he afterwards took by Force. The The City Cranon likewise surrendr'd to him, and he promis'd to restore all the Cities to * 1.40 the Thessalians. But afterwards (not valuing his Word or Honour) he Garrison'd them, and detain'd them all in his own hands. But Alexander the Pherean in a great Fright Fled to the City Pherea. And this was then the Condition of Thessaly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Peace made a∣gain by the Mediation of Artaxerxes.
• * 1.2

  Ant. Ch. 369. The Lacede∣monians decree War against the Thebans. P. 484.
• * 1.3

  Olymp. 102. 2.
• * 1.4

  Lucius Juli∣us▪
• * 1.5

  Marcus Albinius.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.7

  Cleombrotus General for the Spartans.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, without dust.
• * 1.9

  Epaminondas General of the Thebans. Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.10

  In Homer.
• * 1.11

  P. 485.
• * 1.12

  Or Lance.
• * 1.13

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.14

  The Six Go∣vernours of Be∣otia, who were Epaminon∣das's Council.
• * 1.15

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.16

  This Tropho∣nius was said, to be the Son of Apollo, and had a Temple at Lebadie in Beotia, dedi∣cated to him; where was a Cave, of which strange things are related; see Steph. and others. Pausan lib. 9. c. 39. a large descripti∣on, and by his own experience, as he says. P. 486. Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.17

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.18

  The Battle at Leuctra.
• * 1.19

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.20

  P. 487.
• * 1.21

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.22

  Olymp. 102. 3. Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.23

  In Thessaly.
• * 1.24

  In Thessaly
• * 1.25

  near Phocis and Parnassus.
• * 1.26

  Near Mount Oeta and Thermopile in Phthiotis.
• * 1.27

  In Thessaly. Ant. Ch. 367. Cruel Seditions in Argos.
• * 1.28

  Knocking on the Head with Clubs.
• * 1.29

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.30

  P. 488.
• * 1.31

  Ant. Ch. 368.
• * 1.32

  In Arcadia.
• * 1.33

  Ant. Ch. 367 Jason puts on the Thessali∣ans to seck for the Sove∣reignty of Greece.
• * 1.34

  Three great Princes Die in one Year.
• * 1.35

  Jason ••ssassinat∣ed by his Bro∣ther Polydore.
• * 1.36

  Olymp. 102. 4. Ant. Ch 367. P. 489.
• * 1.37

  Veturius. Polydore poy∣son'd by his Brother Alex∣ander.
• * 1.38

  The Tyrant en∣deavour'd to be depos'd.
• * 1.39

  Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.40

  He's caus'd to Fly by assistance from the Ma∣cedonian King.