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. IX.

Evagoras beheaded in Cyprus. Artaxerxes marches against Aegypt, and gains all Aegypt by the Policy of Mentor. Lost many of his Men at the Lake of Sorbon. Mentor advanc'd Mentor's Stratagem to subdue Hemias, Prince of Aterne. Zena raz'd by Philip. The King of Aegypt Abdicates his Kingdom, and flies to Aethiopia.

AFterward,, Apollodorus being Chief Magistrate at Athens, and Marcus Valerius and * 1.1 Caius Sulpitius, Roman Consuls, all the Cities of Cyprus surrender'd themselves to the Persians, excepting Salamis, which was then besieg'd by Evagoras and Phocian, and which Protogoras, King of Salamis, stoutly defended.

In the mean time, Evagoras endeavour'd to regain the Kingdom of his Ancestors, and contriv'd to be restor'd to his Ancient Right by the help of the Persian King. But being * 1.2 afterwards accus'd before Artaxerxes (who thereupon reliev'd Protogoras) he laid aside all hopes of being restor'd, and having afterwards clear'd himself of all that was laid to his Charge, he was intrusted with the Government of a larger Province in Asia, which he so misgovern'd, that he was forc'd to fly again into Cyprus, where being seiz'd he had his Head struck off. But Protogoras voluntarily submitting himself to the Persian King, * 1.3 kept the Kingdom of Salamis without any Rival for the time to come.

In the mean time, the King of Persia, after the Ruine of Sidon, being join'd with the * 1.4 Forces that came from Argos, Thebes, and the ancient Cities, march'd with his whole Ar∣my against Aegypt. When he came to the * 1.5 Great Lough or Lake, through ignorance of the Places, he lost part of his Army in the Boggs there, call'd Barrathra. But in re∣gard we have before in the First Book, spoken of the Nature of this Lake, and the strange Things there happening, we shall now forbear to repeat them.

Having pass'd these Gulphs he came to Pelusium, the first Mouth of the River Nile, where it enters into the Sea. Here the Graecians lay close to the City, but the Persians En∣camp'd forty Furlongs off.

In the mean while, the Aegyptians (in regard the Persians had given them a long time to prepare all things necessary for the War) had made strong Defences and Fortifications at all the Mouths of Nile, especially at Pelusium, because it was the First and most con∣veniently situated; where Five thousand Men were in Garison, under the Command of Philophoron. The Thebans, above all the Graecians, had a Desire to evidence their Valour, and to that end they first of all valiantly attempted to force the Trench, which was both Straight and Deep, and carried it; but as soon as they had gain'd it, those of the Gari∣son made a Sally, upon which there was a sharp Engagement; insomuch as the Dispute was very hot on both sides, and continu'd all the Day, the Night scarcely putting an end to the Contest.

The next day the King divided the Greeks into three Brigades; every one had a Greek * 1.6 Commander, with whom was join'd a Persian Officer, such as was most esteem'd for Valour and Loyalty.

The First Brigade was of the Baeotians, under the Command of Lacrates, a Theban, and Rosaces, a Persian. This Rosaces was descended from some of those seven Persians who depos'd the Magi, and was Governor of Ionia and Lydia; He led a great Body both of Horse and Foot, all of Barbarians.

The Second Brigade was of the Argives, Commanded by Nicostratus, with whom was Aristazanes, a Persian, who was employ'd as an Envoy in all the King's special Affairs, and next to Bagoas, the Trustiest and Chiefest of his Friends: He had Five thousand Soldiers, and Fourscore Galleys under his Command.

The Third Brigade was led by Mentor, he who betray'd Sidon, who formerly com∣manded the Mercenaries: His Collegue was Bagoas, a bold Fellow, and none more rea∣dy in of executing any Villany, in whom the King put great Confidence. He commanded the Greeks that were the King's Subjects, and a great Body of Barbarians, besides a con∣siderable Navy. The King kept the rest of the Army with himself, and was very care∣ful in Managing and Overseeing the whole Concern of the War.

The Army of the Persians thus divided, Nectabanus the King of Aegypt, (though he * 1.7 was far short in Number) neither valu'd the Multitude, nor the Division of the Persian Troops: For he had in his Army Twenty thousand Graecian Mercenaries, as many A∣fricans, and Threescore thousand Aegyptians, by them call'd Warriors; and besides these,

was furnish'd with an incredible Number of River-Boats, fitted to fight in the River Nile. Moreover, he had defended that side of the River towards Arabia, with many Castles and Garisons, exactly fortify'd with Trenches and Strong Walls; and was prepar'd with Plenty of all other things necessary for the War. But through Imprudence and want of good Advice he lost all. The chief Cause of the Miscarriage was his Ignorance how to manage Warlike Affairs, and his security, upon the account he had before beaten the * 1.8 Persians; for at that time of his Success, having had most expert Commanders, Diaphan∣tus the Athenian, and Lanius the Spartan, who were both Valiant and Experienc'd Soldi∣ers, all things succeeded according to his Heart's desire. But being now conceited of his own Sufficiency and Ability, to Command and Order the Army, he would admit of no other Assistant; and therefore through want of Skill and Experience, nothing was manag'd to advantage, as became an Expert-Commander.

Having therefore strongly Garison'd the Towns, he himself, with Thirty thousand Aegyptians, Five thousand Graecians, and half of the Lybians, kept the Passages which lay most open and easie to Invasions.

Things thus ordered on both sides, Nicostratus, who Commanded the Argives (having got some Aegyptian Guides, (whose Wives and Children the Persians kept as Hostages) through a certain Cut or Ditch, pass'd over with his Fleet to a Place as far out of fight as he could, and having landed his Men there, Encamp'd. Those who kept the Neigh∣bouring Aegyptian Garisons, as soon as they came to know where the Enemy were thus Encamp'd, speedily made out against them with no less than Seven thousand Men, under * 1.9 the Command of Cleinius of the Isle of Coos, who drew up his Men in Battalia, in order to fight them: On the other side, those lately Landed, likewise put themselves into a Posture of Defence. Whereupon was a sharp Engagement, in which the Grecians on the Persians side so gallantly behav'd themselves, that they kill'd Cleinius the General, and a∣bove Five thousand of the rest of his Army.

Upon hearing of this Defeat, Nectabanus was in a terrible Fright, for that he believ'd the rest of the Persian Troops would easily pass over the River. Being therefore afraid lest the Enemy would bend all his force against Memphis the Seat-Royal, he made his chief Care and Concern to secure this Place, and thereupon march'd away with the Army he had to Memphis, to prevent the Besieging of it. * 1.10

In the mean time, Lacrates, the Theban, the Commander of the First Brigade, pushes on the Siege of Pelusium; and having drain'd the Water out of the Trench, and turn'd it another way, he rais'd a Mount, and there plac'd his Engines of Battery against the City. And after a great Part of the Walls were batter'd down, the Pelusians rais'd up o∣thers in their stead, and speedily made high Wooden Towers.

These Conflicts upon the Walls continu'd for some days, during which time the Grae∣cians that defended the Place, stoutly oppos'd the Assailants. But as soon as they heard of the King's departure to Memphis, they were so afrighted that they sent Messengers to Treat upon Terms of Surrender. Whereupon, Lacrates agreeing with them upon the Sacred Tye of an Oath, That upon delivery up of Pelusium, they should return to Greece * 1.11 with whatever they brought with them out of the Town, they surrender'd the Place. Then Artaxerxes sent Bagoas with a Garison of Persians to take Possession of Pelusium, whose Soldiers as soon as they enter'd the Town, took away from the Grecians as they were go∣ing out, many of those things that they brought along with them.

Being thus abus'd they took it hainously, and with great Complaints call'd upon the Gods, as Witnesses and Revengers of Perjury and Breach of Faith.

Lacrates being stirr'd up to just Indignation by this base Dealing, fell upon the Barbari∣ans, and kill'd some of them, and put the rest to flight, and so protected the Greeks thus injur'd, contrary to the Agreement confirm'd by Oath. And though Bagoas, who fled amongst the rest, and return'd to the King, accus'd Lacrates, for what he had done, yet the King adjudg'd, that Bagoas his Soldiers were dealt with according to their desert, and punish'd those Persians that were Authors of the Rapine. And in this manner came Pelu∣sium into the Hands of the Persians.

But Mentor, Commander of the Third Brigade, recover'd Bubastus, and many other Cities, to the Obedience of the Persian King by his own Stratagem. For whereas all these Cities were Garison'd by two sorts of People, Grecians and Aegyptians, Mentor caus'd a * 1.12 Report to be spread abroad, That Artaxerxes would receive all those most graciously, and pardon them, that of their own accord should give up their Cities into the King's * 1.13 Hands; and on the other Hand, That all those that he should take by force, should fare no better than Sidon. He commanded also, That all the * 1.14 Gates should be open'd, and that all that would should be permitted to go away. So that all the Aegyptian Captives

in the Camp being gone without any Opposition, the Report was in a short time spread abroad through all the Cities of Aegypt. Whereupon all the Towns were presently fill'd with Seditions through Quarrels, and Dissentions between the Aegyptians and the Foreign Auxili∣aries. For all Parties strove who should be most Active and Forward in betraying their several Garisons, every one aiming at his own Advantage, by an Interest in the favour of the Conqueror. And the first that began was Bubastus. For as soon as Mentor and Ba∣goas Encamp'd before the City, the Aegyptians, unknown to the Graecians, promis'd to Bagoas (by one of their own Country sent to him) to Surrender the City, if they might be all Pardon'd. This being smelt out by the Greeks they pursu'd and seiz'd upon him that was sent, and by Threatning and Affrighting him got out the whole from him, as the Thing in truth was. Upon which, being highly enrag'd, they fell violently upon the Aegyptians, kill'd some, wounded others, and drove the rest into a narrow Corner of the City.

They that were thus assaulted, gave intelligence to Bagoas of what was done, and in∣treated him, tha•• without delay he would take Possession of the City, which should be by them deliver'd up to him upon his approach.

In the mean time, the Graecians sent an Herald to Mentor, who secretly advis'd them, to set upon the Barbarians as soon as Bagoas had entred the Town. Bagoas therefore be∣ing entred with his Persians, but without the Consent of the Greeks, as soon as part of the Soldiers were let in, the Graecians presently shut up the Gates, and fell on a sudden on * 1.15 the Barbarians, and kill'd 'em every Man, and took Bagcas himself Prisoner, who co∣ming to understand that there was no means left for his Deliverance but by Mentor, he earnestly intreated him to interpose for his Preservation, promising that for the Future he would never undertake any thing without his Advice. Mentor prevail'd with the Graecians to Discharge him, and to Surrender the City, so that the whole Success and Glory of the Action was attributed to him.

Bagoas being thus freed by his means, entred into a Solemn Covenant of Friendship upon Oath with Mentor, and faithfully kept it to the Time of his Death; so that these * 1.16 two always concurring and agreeing, were able to do more with the King, than all his other Friends, or any of his Kindred. For Mentor being made Artaxerxes's Lord-Lieu∣tenant of all the Asiatick Shore, was greatly Serviceable to the King, by procuring Solde∣ers out of Greece, and by his Faithful and Diligent Administration of the Government.

Bagoas commanding all as Viceroy in the higher Parts of Asia, grew to that degree of Power through his Consultation with Mentor, upon all Occasions, that he had the King∣dom at Command, neither did Artaxerxes any thing without his Consent. And after the King's Death his Power was such, That the Successors were ever Nominated and Ap∣pointed by him, and all Affairs of the Kingdom were so wholly manag'd by him, that he wanted nothing but the Name of a King. But we shall speak of these things in their pro∣per Place.

After the Surrender of Bubastus, the rest of the Cities out of fear submitted and deli∣ver'd * 1.17 up themselves upon Articles, into the Hands of the Persians.

In the mean while, Nectabanus, who was now at Memphis, seeing the swift Motions of the Enemy, durst not venture a Battel in defence of his Sovereignty, but abdicating his Kingdom, pack'd up a great deal of Treasure, and fled into Aethiopia. And so Artax∣erxes possess'd himself of all Aegypt, and demolished the Walls of all the Cities, especially those that were the Greatest and of most account; and heap'd together an infinite Mass of Gold and Silver, by spoiling of the Temples: He carry'd away likewise all the Re∣cords and Writings out of the most ancient Temples; Which Bagoas a while after suffer'd the Priests to redeem for a great Sum of Money. Then he sent home the Greek Auxilia∣ries with ample Rewards to every one according to their Deserts, for their Services; and intrusting Pherendatus with the Government of Aegypt, he return'd with his Army loaden with Spoil, triumphing in the Glory of his Victory to Babylon.

At the time when Callimachus was Lord-Chancellor at Athens, and Marcus Fabius and * 1.18 Publius Valerius were Roman Consuls, Artaxerxes advanc'd Mentor for the good Services he had done him, especially in the Aegyptian War, above all his Ariends; and that he might put a Mark upon his Valour by a Reward more than ordinary, he bestow'd upon him an Hundred Talents of Silver, and rich Furniture for his House. He made him likewise Pre∣fact of all the Asiatick Shore, and General of his Army, with absolute Power to suppress all Rebellions in those Parts.

Mentor being in near Alliance and Kindred with Actabazus and Memnon (who had not long before made War upon the Persians, and were now fled ••at of Asia to Philip in Ma∣cedonia) by his Interest with the King procur'd their Pardon, and thereupon sent for them

both to come to him, with their Families: For Artabazus had by Mentor and Memnon's Sister, Eleven Sons and Ten Daughters; with which numerous Progeny Mentor was * 1.19 greatly delighted, and advanc'd the young Men as they grew up, to high Places of Com∣mand in the Army.

The first Expedition which Mentor made was against Hennias, Prince or Tyrant of * 1.20 Atarne, who had rebell'd against Artaxerxes, and was possess'd of many strong Cities and * 1.21 Castles; upon promise made him to procure the King's Pardon he brought him to a Parley; and upon that occasion having surpris'd him, he clapt him up, and possessing himself of his Seal-Ring, he writ Letters in his Name to the several Cities, signifying that through Mentor he was restor'd to the King's Favour; and sent away likewise with those that carry'd the Letters, such as should take Possession for the King of all the Forts and Castles. The Governors of the Cities giving credit to the Letters, and being likewise ve∣ry desirous of Peace, deliver'd up all the Towns and Forts to the King in every place through the Country.

All the Revolted Cities being gain'd by this Trick of Mentor, without any Hazard or Fatigue, the King was highly pleas'd with him, as having acted the Part of a Brave and Prudent General.

And with no less success, partly by Policy, and partly by force of Arms, he reduc'd in a short time the other Captains that were in Rebellion. And thus stood Affairs in Asia at this time.

In Europe, Philip, King of Macedon, made an Expedition against the * Calcidean Cities, and took Zeira, and raz'd it to the Ground, and brought other Towns (out of Fear) * 1.22 likewise to submit. He set again likewise upon Phaeca, and threw out its Prince Pitholaus. About that time Sparticus, King of Pontus, dy'd, having reign'd Five Years. Parysades his Brother suceeded him, and govern'd Eight and Thirty years.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 107. 3. Ant. Ch. 348. An. M. 3598.
• * 1.2

  Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.3

  Evagoras be∣headed.
• * 1.4

  Artaxerxes marches a∣gainst Aegypt.
• * 1.5

  Sorbon is the Lake of Sor∣bon.
• * 1.6

  The Persian Army divided into three Bri∣gades. Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.7

  Nectabanus, King of Persia.
• * 1.8

  Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.9

  A Fight be∣tween the Ae∣gyptians and the Graecians, on the Persians side. Cleinus kill'd.
• * 1.10

  Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.11

  Pelusium sur∣render'd.
• * 1.12

  Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.13

  Mentor gains Bubastus and other Towns by Policy.
• * 1.14

  Gates of the Camp.
• * 1.15

  Bagoas taken Prisoner at Bu∣bastus, and all his Men cut of who en••red the City.
• * 1.16

  Bagoas relea••'d by Mentor's mea••s.
• * 1.17

  Ant. Ch. 348.
• * 1.18

  Olymp. 107. 4. Ant. Ch. 347. Mentor ad∣vanc'd.
• * 1.19

  Ant. Ch. 347.
• * 1.20

  Atarne in Mysia over a∣gainst Lesbos.
• * 1.21

  Mentors stra∣tagem to subdue Hennias.
• * 1.22

  In Thrace. Zeira raz'd by Philip.