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.

The Beginning of the Sacred or Phocian War. Philomelus seizes the Temple at Delphos, after he had routed the Locrians. How the Oracle at Delphos was first discover'd; and the Beginning of the Tripode. The Athenians and others join with Philomelus.

AFter Callistratus was created Archon at Athens, and Marcus Fabius and Caius Plotius * 1.1 Consuls of Rome, the War call'd The Sacred War broke forth, which continu'd Nine Years: For Philomelus the Phocian (inferior to none in Impudence and Wickedness) ha∣ving seiz'd the Temple at Delphos, occasion'd the Sacred War, on the Account fol∣lowing.

After the Lacedaemonians were routed by the Thebans at the Battel of Leuctra, the The∣bans made great Complaints against them in the Court of the Amphictyons, for their sei∣zing of Cadmea: Upon which, they were adjudg'd to pay to them a great Sum of Money. The Phocians likewise were accus'd, and condemn'd by the same Court to pay many Talents to the Use of the Oracle at Delphos, because they had intruded into a large Piece of Land, call'd Cirrhaea, belonging to the Oracle, and had till'd and plough'd it.

But the Mu••ct being neglected to be paid, the * 1.2 Hieromemones accus'd the Phocians in the Senate of the Amphictyons, and pray'd them if the Money were not paid, that the Lands of the sacrilegious Persons might be confiscated, and devoted to the Deity. They requird likewise, that the rest that were condemn'd (among whom were the Lacedaemonians) should pay what was due upon that account; and pray'd, That if they did not observe what was so order'd, that then they should be prosecuted as hateful Enemies by all the Grecians. This Decree of the Amphictyons being ratify'd and approv'd of by all the Greeks, the Country of the Phocians was upon the point of being devoted to those Sacred Uses. Phi∣lomelus, who was in greatest Esteem at that time amongst them, told the People, That * 1.3 the Fine was so excessive, that it could not possibly be paid; and to suffer their Country to be sacrific'd, it would not only argue them to be cowardly and poor spirited, but be dangerous to that degree, that it would tend to the utter Ruin of them and their Families: And he did all he could to make it out, that the Decree of the Amphictyons was most un∣just, and highly injurious, inasmuch as for a little and inconsiderate Spot of Land, they had impos'd a Mulct far exceeding the Proportion and Merit of the Offence; and therefore advis'd them to rescind the Decree, and that there were Reasons sufficient to justifie their so doing: And among others he alledg'd, That heretofore the Oracle was under their Power and Protection; and cited the Verses of Homer, the most ancient and famous of all the Poets, as a Witness of the Truth of what he said, who speaks to this effect:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Epistrophus and Schedius did command (Iphitus valiant Sons) the Phocian Band, Who Cypariss and Pitho till'd—Ogilb.

Therefore the Contest is to be for the Custody and Patronage of the Temple, which he said belong'd to the Ancestors of the Phocians; and that if they would commit to him the absolute Power, as Chief Commander in this Affair, he promis'd to manage it with the utmost Care and Dexterity.

Upon which, the Phocians (out of fear of the Mulct impos'd upon them) created Phi∣lomelus sole and absolute General. Hereupon Philomelus diligently pursu'd the Performance of his Promise; and to that end presently made a Journey to Sparta, and had private Conference concerning the Business with Archidomus, King of the Lacedaemonians, alledg∣ing, That it was as much the Interest and Concern of Archidomus, as his, to have the Decrees of the Amphictyons rescinded; for that the Amphictyons had injur'd likewise the Lacedaemonians unjustly, by giving Judgment against them. He thereupon discover'd to him his Design of seizing upon the Temple at Delphos; and that if he prevail'd inbringing the Oracle under his Care and Patronage, he would make void all the Decrees of the Am∣phictyons.

Archidomus approv'd well of what he said; but for the present would not ap∣pear openly to be aiding in the matter, but assur'd him that he would join in all things privately, in supplying him with Money and mercenary Soldiers. Philomelus then having receiv'd from him Fifteen Talents, and adding as many more to them of his own, rais'd Soldiers from all Parts: A thousand he listed from among the Phocians, whom he call'd * 1.4 Peltastates. And after he had got together a considerable Force, he set upon the Temple: Some of the Delphians call'd Thracidae oppos'd him; but those he slew, and gave up all they had to the Plunder of the Soldiers. He commanded the rest (whom he perceiv'd to be in no small Fright) to be of good Courage, for they should suffer no prejudice.

And now the Report of seizing the Temple was spread far and near; upon which, the Locrians, who were next Borderers, march'd against Philomelus with a considerable Army, and fought him near Delphos, but were routed; and after a great Slaughter made amongst them, fled, and made back to their own Country. * 1.5

Philomelus puff'd up with this Victory, cut the Decrees of the Amphictyons out of the Pillars, and destroy'd all the Records concerning them that were condemn'd. In the mean time, he caus'd Reports to be spread abroad in every place, that he neither design'd to rob the Temple, nor commit any other Mischief, but only to recover an ancient Right descended to them from their Ancestors; and to that end had a desire to make void the unjust Decrees of the Amphictyons, and so to defend the ancient Laws of the Phocians. But the Boeotians assembled in Council made a Decree to relieve the Temple, and forthwith rais'd an Army.

Philomelus in the mean time drew a Wall round the Temple, and rais'd many Soldiers, and added to their Pay half as much more as their Due amounted unto; and making choice of the best Soldiers among the Phocians, he enroll'd them; and in a short time got together so great an Army, as amounted to no less than Five thousand Men: So that possessing himself of all the Passages to Delphos, he became formidable to his Enemies. Then marching into the Territories of the Locrians, he wasted a great part of the Coun∣try; and at length encamp'd near a River that ran close by a very strong Fort, which he besieg'd; but after some Assaults, not being able to take it, he rais'd the Siege, and engag'd with the Locrians, in which he lost Twenty of his Men; whose Bodies not being capable to recover by Force, he sent a Trumpeter to have them deliver'd.

The Locrians deny'd the Bodies, and made answer, That there was a general Law a∣mong all the Grecians, that sacrilegious Persons should be cast forth, and not allow'd any * 1.6 Burial. Highly provok'd with this Repulse, he fought again with the Locrians, and with great Valour and Resolution slaughter'd some of his Enemies, and possess'd himself of their Bodies; and so forc'd the Locrians in exchange to deliver the Dead.

And now being Master of the Field, he rang'd up and down, and wasted the Country of Locris; and loading his Soldiers with Plunder, return'd to Delphos.

Afterwards desiring to know from the Oracle what would be the Issue of the War, he forc'd Pythia the Prophetess to ascend the Tripode, and * 1.7 give him an Answer. Since that mention is here made of the Tripode, I conceive it not unseasonable to give an account of what has been handed down to us concerning it from ancient Times. It is reported, that this Oracle was first discover'd by some Goats; for which reason such Creatures are most commonly sacrific'd by the Delphians, when they come to enquire of the Oracle. The Discovery is related in this manner: There was an Opening or Gulf in the Earth in that * 1.8 Place, now call'd the Adytum of the Temple; about this the Goats straggled as they were feeding: For at that time they of Delphos had no Religious Regard to the Place. It often happen'd, that when any Goat came near the Gulf, and look'd down, it would fall a leaping and dancing in a wonderful manner, and make an unusual Noise, far different from that at other times. A Shepherd wondring at the Novelty of the thing, drew to∣wards the Place to learn what was the Cause; and looking down, he acted the same Part with the Goats: For as they were moved and acted as by some Enthusiasm, so he likewise was inspir'd with a Spirit of Prophecy. The News presently spreading abroad among the Inhabitants, how wonderfully they were affected that look'd down into the Chasm, many flock'd to the place, and out of Curiosity made Experiments; and as many as came near, were always acted with a Spirit of Divination. For these Reasons, the Place was counted the Residence of some Oracle: For some time therefore it was a pra∣ctice, that those who had a desire to know Future Events, would approach to this Denn, and there return Answers of things that were to come one to another. But whereas many through an Excess and Transport of Mind would leap into the Gulf, and so were never seen more; it was judg'd adviseable by the Inhabitants (to avoid the like danger for the future) that some one Woman should be consecrated Prophetess, and that by her the

Answer of the Oracle should be deliver'd; and that an Engine should be made for her whereon she might sit; and by that means be inspir'd without any danger, and give An∣swers to them that consulted with her concerning Future Events.

This Machine had three Feet, from whence it was call'd the Tripode, whose Figure and * 1.9 Shape almost all the Tripodes of Brass made to this day do imitate. But sufficient, we con∣ceive, is said concerning the manner of finding out the Seat of the Oracle, and for what Reasons the Tripode was made,

It's reported, That at the first, Virgins were assign'd to this Office, because that in their Nature they are more pure and harmless, and of the same Sex with * 1.10 Diana: And besides, for that they were judg'd fittest to keep the Secrets of the Oracle. But it's said, that of latter time, one Thessalus Echecrates coming to the Oracle, upon sight of the Virgin-Prophe∣tess, for her admirable Beauty, fell in love with her, and ravish'd her: Which wicked Fact caus'd the Delphians to make a Law, That no young Virgin, for the future, but a * 1.11 grave Woman of fifty Years of Age (in a Virgin's Dress, to keep up the Memory of the ancient Mode in Divination) should preside, and return the Answers. These are the old fabulous Stories that are told concerning the first discovery of the Oracle.

But to return to the Acts of Philomelus; who being now Lord of the Temple; com∣manded Pythia to answer him from the Tripods, according to the ancient Rite and Custom of the Country. When the Prophetess answer'd him, saying, This is the Custom of the Country; he commanded her with Threats to ascend the Tripode: Whereupon she sub∣mitting by force to the Authority of the Imposer, answer'd him, That it was lawful for him to do what he list. At which he was very jocund, and said he had receiv'd an Answer fit for his Purpose: And thereupon presently caus'd the Answer to be recorded, and ex∣pos'd to be read; that so it might be evident to all, that the God had given him liberty to do what he pleas'd. Then he call'd a General Assembly, and rehears'd to them the Divine Oracle, and bid them all to be constant and courageous; and then betook himself again to the Business of the War. Moreover, a Prodigy appear'd to him in the Temple of Apollo; for an Eagle hovering over it, and at length casting her self down to the ground, pursu'd the Pigeons (that were fed and kept in the Temple) from place to place, so that she snatch'd away some even from the Altars themselves. Those that were vers'd in inter∣preting things of this Nature, declar'd that this portended that Philomelus and the Phocians should possess themselves of all the Treasures of the Temple. Being greatly puff'd up with this Encouragement, he singles out the choicest of his Friends to send as Messengers * 1.12 abroad, some to Athens, others to Lacedaemon, and others to Thebes, and other most re∣markable Cities of Greece, with this Apology: That he had seiz'd upon Delphos, not with any design to commit any Sacrilege, but to regain the Patronage of the Temple for his Country; and declar'd that he was ready to give an exact account to all the Greeks of the Money, and all the dedicated Gifts there, both for weight and number, whoever should require the same. At length he desir'd, that if any, out of Envy or Malice, should make War upon the Phocians, that they would rather join with him against such, or at least stand Neuters. The Ambassadors quitting themselves with all diligence in this matter, the Athenians, Lacedaemonians, and some others, entred into the Confederacy, and pro∣mis'd them assistance: But the Boeotians, with the Locrians, and some others, were of a contrary Mind, who took up Arms in defence of the Oracle against the Phocians. These were the things done in the Course of this Year.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 106. 2. An. M. 3595. Ant. Ch. 353. The Sacred War.
• * 1.2

  The Priests and Officers of the Temple.
• * 1.3

  Ant. Ch. 353.
• * 1.4

  Those that carry'd short Shields.
• * 1.5

  Ant. Ch. 353.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Ch. 353.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. To give an O∣racle.
• * 1.8

  How the Place of the Oracle at Delphos was first discover'd; and the begin∣ning of the Tripode. Ant. Ch. 353.
• * 1.9

  Three Bases.
• * 1.10

  The Sister of Apollo.
• * 1.11

  Ant. Ch. 353.
• * 1.12

  Ant. Ch. 353.