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. VII.

The Lacedaemonians send Polytropus into Arcadia; who is Slain, and his Party Routed by Lycomedes. An Invasion by Epaminondas and Pelopidas into Pelo∣ponnesus. Sparta Besieg'd. The Antiquity and History of Messina in Greece. Pallane taken by the Arcadians. A Wall drawn between Cenchrea and Lecheum to hinder the Thebans Inroad into Peloponnesus. Epaminondas breaks through into Peloponnesus; Assaults Corinth.

IN Peloponnesus, in the mean time, the Lacedemonians sent a Thousand heavy Arm'd Men of their own Citizens, and Five hundred Deserters from Argos and Beotia, into Arcadia, under the Command of Polytropus, who when he came to Orchomenon in Arcadia, put a Garrison into it, being a City that favour'd the Spartans. But Lycomedes of Man∣tinea (then Commander in Chief of the Arcadians) with a Body of Men, to the number * 1.1 of Five thousand, March'd against Orchomenon, and upon their arrival the Lacedemonians drew out their Forces, where happen'd a sharp Engagement, in which the Lacedemoni∣an General was slain, and two hundred more with him: The rest by the hot Pursuit of the Enemy were forc'd back into the City. However, tho' the Arcadians then got the Victory, yet they so far fear'd the power of Sparta, that they durst not depend upon their own strength in Contending with the Lacedemonians, and therefore taking into their Confederacy the Argives and the Eleans, they first sent Ambassadours to Athens to desire them to be their Consederates, which being deny'd, they then Address'd themselves to the Thebans for the same purpose. Upon which the Beotians (together with the Phocians and Locrians their Confederates) drew out their Forces, and March'd directly into Pelopon∣nesus, under the Command of Epaminondas and Pelopidas. For all the other Beotarchs had willingly given up the sole and absolute Command of the Army to those two, being Men eminent for Prudence and Valour. * 1.2

When they entred into the Confines of Arcadia, they were met by all the Arcadians, Eleans, Argives, and the rest of their Confederates. And now they had an Army of a∣bove * 1.3 Fifty thousand Men, and after a Council of War had, the Generals resolv'd to March forthwith to Sparta, and to Wast and Spoil all the Country of Laconia. But the Lacedemonians having lost the Flower and strength of their young Men in the Battle at Leuctra, and many in several other Fights here and there, were thereby reduc'd to a ve∣ry

small number of Fighting Men of their own Citizens: And whereas some of their Confederates deserted, and others were brought low by the same means as those before, they knew not which way to turn themselves. So that they were forc'd to seek for Aid * 1.4 and Assistance from them, (I mean the Athenians) upon whom they had some time be∣fore Impos'd Thirty Tyrants, and whose Walls they had Demolish'd, and whose City they had decreed to Raze even to the Ground, and lay it Open and Common with the rest of the Country, for the grazing of Flocks and Herds. But necessity has no Law, and the Turns of Fortune are invincible, through which the Lacedemonians were brought into that strait, as to become Suppliants to their most Implacable Enemies for Relief. However, they were not deceiv'd in their hopes; for such was the Brave and generous Spirits of the Athenians, that they fear'd not the Power of the Thebans, but decreed to Assist the Lace∣demonians to the utmost they were able, tho' they were now ready even to be swallow'd up and made perfect Slaves. To this end they listed in one Day Twelve thousand lusty young Men, and forthwith order'd Iphicrates the General to March away to the assistance * 1.5 of the Spartans. Accordingly, having Men that were very forward, he hasts away with a swift March. Neither were the Lacedemonians less active or forward; but now even when the Enemy were Encamp'd in the Borders of Laconia, they March'd out of Sparta, with all the Strength they could make, which was but small, yet with the same Courage, and Valour as they had formerly done.

In the mean time, Epaminondas his Army conceiving it very difficult to enter into the Enemies Country; and therefore judging it was not convenient to attempt it with the whole Army together, they resolv'd to divide their Forces into four Bodies, and so to make the Attack in several Places at once. The first March'd to the City * 1.6 Sellatia, and and drew off the Inhabitants of that Territory from the Lacedemonians. The Argives, who were in another Body, upon their entrance into the Borders of Tageata, Engag'd with a Guard that kept that pass, and kill'd the Chief Officer, Alexander a Spartan, and Two hundred more of his Men; amongst whom there were some Beotian Exiles. The third Body, in which were the Arcadians, and most in number, broke into the Country call'd Sciritis, where Iscolas, a Man of great Valour and Prudence, kept Guard with a considerable Body of Men. This brave and gallant Commander perform'd an heroick Action, worthy to be Recorded to all Posterity. When he foresaw that both he, * 1.7 and all those with him, were sure every Man to be cut off by their Engaging with so great and unequal a number; in the first place he lookt upon it as a dishonour to the Spartan Name to desert the Post assign'd him, and yet judg'd it to be much for the Service and Advantage of his Country if he could preserve the Soldiers. To the admi∣ration therefore of his Valour he contriv'd a way how to answer the ends of both; wherein he bravely Imitated the gallant Spirit of King Leonidas in former times at Ther∣mopile. For he sent away to Sparta the choicest of his Soldiers that were young and * 1.8 lusty, to the end they might be helpful to their Country in Fighting, now all lay at Stake: And he himself, with those that were Old, kept close together, and in a brave defence, slaughter'd multitudes of their Enemies, but at length being surrounded, and hem'd in by the Arcadians, they were every Man of them cut off.

The fourth body of the Eleans having all places more clear and open before them, ar∣riv'd at length at Sellacia: For it was order'd that all the Forces should meet together at that place, where being all now join'd, they march'd towards Sparta, and wasted the Country all before them with Fire and Sword. And now the Lacedaemonians seeing their ancient Country Liconia (that had never known what Waste and Spoil meant for the space of Five hundred years before) to be thus cruelly harass'd and destroy'd, could no longer forbear, but were ready to run upon their Enemy as it were with open mouth. But being by some Magistrates that came from the City, commanded not to hasten away * 1.9 too far out of the Bounds of their Country (lest some other should make an inroad into it in the mean time) and being likewise advis'd to recollect themselves, and think seriously of defending the City; with much ado they submitted to the Advice.

In the mean time, Epaminondas having pass'd his Army over the Mountain Taygetus, and arriv'd at the River Eu••ota (which was then very high, being Winter-time) he endea∣vour'd all he could to get over. The Lacedaemonians perceiving how his Troops were dis∣order'd and dispers'd through the difficulty of the Passage, laid hold upon this fit occasion to fall upon them. Leaving therefore their Wives, Children, and Old Men as a Guard for the City, they made out against the Enemy in good Order with all the Young and * 1.10 Strong Men of the Town, and by a sudden and hot Charge cut off a great number in their passing the River: But the Boeotians and Arcadians valiantly standing their Ground,

surrounded their Enemies. However, the Spartans, after they had kill'd a great number of the Boeotians, at length broke through, and return'd to the City, leaving behind them remarkable Instances of their Valour.

Presently after, when Epaminondas came up with his whole Army (to the Terror of * 1.11 the Inhabitants) to the City, the Spartans, by the advantage of the Strength of the Places, kill'd great numbers of them. And now all hands were at work, and very earnest to gain the City, insomuch as that they seem'd to be in a fair way to take Sparta by storm. But the Assailants (through their Over-heat and Violence) being many of them kill'd and others wounded, Epaminondas caus'd a Trumpet to sound a Retreat, and so call'd them off. Presently after, the Thebans made their approach to the City, and challeng'd the Spartans to come forth and fight with them, or else to acknowledge themselves In∣ferior, and not able to contend with them. To whom they answer'd, that when they saw their opportunity they would be sure not to decline Fighting, though they laid all at Stake. The Army therefore now drew off from the Siege, and having wasted and spoil'd all Laconia, and loaden themselves with rich Prey and Plunder, return'd into Arcadia. Afterwards the Athenians (who came too late, and did nothing worth taking notice of) March'd back into Attica.

In the mean while Four thousand Men came in to the Assistance of the Lacedemoni∣ans from their Consederates. To these they added a Thousand Helots newly Manumit∣ted and set Free, and Two hundred Beotian Fugitives, and many more from the neigh∣bouring Towns and Villages; so that now they were strong enough to Cope with the Enemy. And these Forces being kept together and daily Exercis'd, grew more and more daring, and fit for publick Service in the Field. * 1.12

But Epaminondas being Naturally inclin'd to things that were Great, and ambitious to * 1.13 Eternize his own praise and Honour, perswaded the Arcadians and the other Allies to re-edi∣fie and replenish Messina with new Inhabitants (which had been destroy'd by the Lacedae∣monians, * 1.14 and lay Wast and Desolate many Years,) for that it was most commodiously Situated for the Invading of Sparta at any time; having procur'd their Consent, he en∣quir'd after all the ancient Inhabitants that were living in any Place: And enfranchizing many others that were willing to settle themselves there, he Repair'd Messina, and made it very Populous, and divided the Land belonging to the City by Lot amongst the new Inhabitants, and fill'd the Country about with stately Seats and beautiful Buildings, and so rais'd up a noble Grecian City out of its Ruins, to its former State and Grandeur, for which he was highly Honour'd.

I conceive it will not be amiss in this place, in regard Messina has been so often taken and Ruin'd, If I say something in short of this City from its beginning. Anciently the * 1.15 Family of Neleus and Nestor to the time of the Trojan War possess'd it: Afterwards Orestes the Son of Agamemnon and his Posterity enjoy'd it, till the Return of the Heraclidae. Then Cresphontes chose Messina for his share, and his Posterity Reign'd there for some time; but they being Ejected, it came into the power of the Lacedemonians, who be∣came * 1.16 Lords thereof. For after that Teleclytus King of the Lacedemonians was slain in a * 1.17 Battle, the Messinians at length were subdu'd by the Spartans. This War is said to have continu'd Twenty Years; and that the Lacedemonians had taken a solemn Oath that they would never return to Sparta, till they had taken Messina. At that time were Born those call'd the Partheniae, who afterwards enjoy'd the City Tarentum. The Messinians in after-times being oppress'd by the Lacedemonians, * 1.18 Aristomenes stirr'd them up to Revolt, and destroy'd many of the Spartans. At which time Tyrreus the Poet was sent by the Atheni∣ans to the Spartans to be their General. But there are others that say, that Aristomenes flourish'd in the time of the Twenty years War. The last War made upon them was after that terrible Earthquake, which almost Ruin'd Sparta, and destroy'd all its Inhabit∣ants. At that time those that remain'd of the Messinians (together with the Helots, who Revolted with them,) Inhabited Ithon, because Messina had lain Wast many Years together before that time. But being unfortunate in every Encounter, they were at length utterly Ruin'd, and driven out of their Country; and settl'd themselves in Nau∣pachus, which was given them to Inhabit, by the Athenians: And from thence some re∣mov'd to Cephalenia, and others into Sicily, where they built the City Messina, so call'd from them. And now the Thebans in the last place by the Advice of Epaminondas (who Invited the Messinians from all Places where they were) Rebuilt Messina, and restor'd to the new Inhabitants all the ancient Territories formerly belonging to the City. And thus Great and Various were the Changes and Turns of Messina.

The Thebans having dispatch'd all these things in the space of Eighty five Days, leaving a strong Garrison for the defence of Messina, return'd to their own Country. And the Lacedemonians having now unexpectedly rid themselves of the Enemy, sent some of the greatest men of their City to Athens, and upon a Treaty concerning the Principality, it was agreed that the Athenians should be Masters at Sea, and the Lacedemonians have the chief Command at Land. But afterwards both Cities executed the Sovereignty in Common.

About the same time, the Arcadians Created Lycomedes General, and sent him away * 1.19 with five thousand strong and lusty young Men to Besiege Pallene, in Laconia; who took it by Storm, and put above Three hundred Lacedemonians there in Garrison, to the Sword: And having plunder'd the City, and wasted and spoil'd the Country, return'd home before the Lacedemonians could send them any Relief.

The Beotians (likewise being desir'd by the Thessalians to Free them from the Tyran∣ny of Alexander the Pherean, then but feeble, and almost broken) sent Pelopidas with a * 1.20 strong Army into Thessaly, with Orders to Manage affairs there to the advantage of the Beotians. When he came to Larissa, he possessed himself of the Castle then Garrison'd by Alexander; thence he March'd into Macedonia, and made a League with King Alex∣ander, and receiv'd Philip his Brother as an Hostage, and sent him to Thebes. And ha∣ving perfected whatever he thought might be for the Service of the Beotians, he return'd into his own Country.

Things standing thus, the Arcadians, Argives, and Eleans unanimously agreed to make * 1.21 War upon the Lacedaemonians, and to that end, to send Ambassadors to the Beotians, to persuade them to join with them in the War. They accordingly Consented, and sent forth an Army of Seven thousand Foot, and Five hundred Horse, under the Command of Epaminondas, and the other Beotarchs. The Athenians hearing of the preparations of the Beotians against Peloponnesus, sent an Army against them, under the Command of * 1.22 Chabrias their General, who when he arriv'd at Corinth, rais'd Men out of Megera, Pel∣lene and Corinth, and made up an Army of Ten thousand Men; who being join'd with the Lacedaemonians and other Confederates at Corinth, their whole Forces were no less than Twenty thousand. They made it first their Business to guard all the Passages, and to do all they could to prevent the Beotians from breaking into Peloponnesus: To this * 1.23 end they drew a Wall with a deep Trench from * Cenchrea to * Lechaeum, to block up the entrance that Way. The thing was done with that quickness and expedition, (through multitude of Hands and diligence of those Employ'd) that the Place was Fortifi'd before the Beotians could reach thither.

As soon as Epaminondas came up to the Place, upon diligent view of the Fortification, he discern'd that that part kept by the Lacedaemonians was the Weakest, and therefore did all he could to draw them out to a fair Field Battle, tho' they were almost three times his Number. But when he saw they would not stir, but kept themselves within their * 1.24 Fortifications and Trenches, he made a fierce Assault upon them, Storming them in e∣very Part: But the Action was Hottest and Sharpest on both sides, where the Lacede∣monians were Posted, for there the place was of easiest Entrance, and most difficult to be kept. But Epaminondas having with him the flower of Thebes, with much ado beat off the Lacedaemonians, and so clearing the Way, broke in with his Forces, and laid the pas∣sage plainly open into Peloponnesus, which was an Action nothing Inferior to any he had done before. Hereupon, he forthwith March'd to Trezene and Epidaurus, and Wasted * 1.25 and Harrass'd the Country round about, but could not take the Cities, being very strong∣ly Garrison'd; but Sicyon, * 1.26 Pheunte, and some others submitted to him. Then he March'd with his Army against Corinth: And having routed the Townsmen in an En∣counter, he pursu'd them to the very Walls: Where some of the Beotians puffed up with their good Success, Rashly broke through the Gates into the City; upon which the Corinthians in a great Fright shut themselves up in their Houses. But Chabrias the Athenian General, both Cordially and Faithfully, made Head against the Beotians, and Drove some of them out of the City, making a great slaughter of the rest. In the heat of this Action the Beotians approach'd to Corinth with their whole Army in Battalia, to the great Terror of the Inhabitants: Upon which, Chabrias with his Athenians, forth∣with made a Sally out of the City, and having possessed himself of the Hills Adjoyn∣ing, there bore the brunt of the Enemies Charge. On the other side the Beotians encou∣rag'd, being strong of Body, and of long experience in Feats of Arms, doubted not, but to Rout the Athenians. But the Chabrians (by the advantage of the higer Ground, and continual Succours coming in to them out of the City (so defended themselves, that

they Kill'd, and grievously Gall'd their Assailants, and beat them off: So that the Beotians after the Loss of a great Number of their Men, not being able to do any thing, drew off their Forces. But Chabrias having thus Baffl'd the Enemy, for his Valour, Faithfulness, and Military Conduct, was Cry'd up, and greatly Ad∣mir'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Manteni∣eans March a∣gainst Orcho∣menon.
• * 1.2

  Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.3

  An Invasion in∣to Peloponesus P. 490. Epaminonda•• and Pelopidas.
• * 1.4

  The Lacede∣monians seek for Aid of the Athenians.
• * 1.5

  Iphicrates sent to assist the Spartans. Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.6

  Rather Hel∣lasia.
• * 1.7

  The brave act of Ischolas.
• * 1.8

  Ant. Ch. 361.
• * 1.9

  P. 491.
• * 1.10

  The Thebans attacks by the Spartans. Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.11

  Epaminondas besieges Sparta.
• * 1.12

  Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.13

  Messina Re∣built by Epami∣nondas.
• * 1.14

  Above 280 Years. Sir. Walter Rawleighs History of the World, lib. 2. 1. part. c. 27. fol. 359.
• * 1.15

  An account of the several States of Mes∣sina.
• * 1.16

  * Cresphontes.
• * 1.17

  P. 492. The first Messi∣nian War. Olymp. 9. This War be∣gan Olymp. 9. 2. in the Reign of Ma∣nasses. Ended 14 Olymp. 1. Sir. Walter Rawleigh's Hist. World. 356. lib. 2. c. 27.
• * 1.18

  The second Messinian War, 39 Years. Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.19

  Pallene, taken by Sterm by the Arcadians.
• * 1.20

  Pelopidas sent into Thessaly.
• * 1.21

  Several Coun∣trys Confede∣rate against Sparta. P. 493.
• * 1.22

  Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.23

  The narrow Pass of Pelo∣ponnesus, be∣tween two Seas, Lechaeum ly∣ing on the West and Cenchrea, on the East.
• * 1.24

  Epaminondas breaks again into Pelopon∣nesus.
• * 1.25

  Ant. Ch. 367.
• * 1.26

  Phe•• in Elis.