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.

Out of the 21st Book.

1. ALL Vice is to be avoided by every Wise Man, but especially Covetousness. For this (through hopes and desire of Gain) prompts many to acts of Injustice, and so becomes the occasion of the greatest Mischiefs to Mankind. For being * 1.1 in the * 1.2 very highest Sphere of Wickedness, it involves not only mean Men, but even Kings themselves in extream Calamities, For Antigonus King of Asia, as an Example of this Truth, out of his insatiable desire, beginning a War against Four other Kings (who join'd against him) viz. Ptolemy Lagus King of Aegypt, Seleucus King of Babylon, Ly∣simachus of Thrace, and Cassander the Son of Antipater King of Macedonia, perish'd in Bat∣tle * 1.3 being shot through the Body with Multitudes of Darts and Arrows, (tho' after∣wards Bury'd in a Royal manner) and his Son Demetrius, with his Mother Stratonice (who were then in Cilicia) were forc'd to sail away with all the Wealth they had to Salamis in Cyprus, that remaining still in the hands of Demetrius.

2. Agathocles King of Sicily, burnt all the Macedonian Fleet, and so freed Corcyra when * 1.4 it was Besieg'd by Cassander, both by Sea and Land, and very near and likely to be ta∣ken. Oh the many uncertainties of War! For Folly and Fraud many times effect as great things as true Valour and Courage.

3. Agathocles being return'd to the rest of his Army from Corcyra, when he heard that the Ligurians and Tyrrhenians (who were his Mercenary Soldiers) had assisted those * 1.5 who kill'd his Son Archagathus in his absence, put them all to the Sword, to the number of Two thousand: Upon which Account the Brutii deserting him, he resolv'd to Be∣siege their City call'd * 1.6 Aethas. But the Barbarians in great numbers falling upon him sud∣dainly in the Night, cut off Four thousand of his Men, and so he return'd to Syracuse.

4. Agathocles rigg'd out a great Fleet, and sail'd into Italy; and having a design to march his Army to Crotona, he sent a Messenger before to Menedemus, King of Crotona (who was his particular Friend) not to be afraid of his Motion; which was meerly to deceive him; and purposing to Besiege the Place, he gave out that he was sending away his Daughter Lanassa with a Royal Fleet to Epirus to Marry her: And by this Fraud he came upon them when they were unprovided, and never suspected him. Thereupon, applying himself with all earnestness to the Siege, he block'd up the Place by a Wall drawn from Sea to Sea. And having by his Mines and Batteries ruin'd the greatest House of the Town, the Crotoneans out of fear open'd their Gates and receiv'd his Army into the Ci∣ty, who breaking in like a Flood, first rifl'd all the Houses, and then put all the Men to the Sword. He likewise made a League with the neighbouring Barbarians, the Japygians, and Peucetians, furnishing them with Ships for Piracy, and shar'd with them in the Rob∣bery. At length having p••t a Garison into Crotona, he sail'd back to Syracuse.

5. Diallus the Athenian Writer compos'd a General History in Twenty six Books. And Psaon of Platea anoth••r in Thirty Books.

6. In the War against the Hetruscians, Gauls and Samnites, and their Confederates, the Romans destroy'd (w••en Fabius was Consul) an Hundred thousand Men, as Daris re∣lates.

7. Antipater out of Envy, kill'd his own Mother. Alexander his Brother was likewise * 1.7 kill'd by Demetrius, whom Alexander had sent for to his assistance. Antipater the Murthe∣rer of his Mother was a••so serv'd the same Sauce by Demetrius, unwilling to have a part∣ner in the Kingdom.

8. Agathocles rais'd an Army and sail'd over into Italy with 30000 Foot and * 1.8 2000 Horse. And ••ving the Command of the Fleet to Stilpo, he order'd him to wast and spoil the C••untry of the Brutii: While he was harassing the Sea-coasts, he lost many of his Ships in a Storm. But Agathocles, by the help of his battering Engines took the City Hipponium: which so terrify'd the Brutii, that they sent Ambassadors to treat with him upon ter•••• of Peace: Upon which he put in a Garrison and carry'd away with ••im Six hundred ••ostages, and return'd to Syracuse. But the Brutii made slight of their

Oath, and with the whole power of the City, fell upon the Garison and flew every * 1.9 Man, and afterwards recover'd their Hostages, and freed themselves from the Yoke of A∣gathocles. Lenity is to be prefer'd before Revenge.

9. Most Generals of Armies when they are brought into Straits and Difficulties, (out of Fear) do generally humour the Multitude.

10. When the Thebans made a Second defection, Demetrius batter'd down their Walls, and took the City by Storm, and put only Ten Men to Death, who were the Ring-leaders * 1.10 of the Rebellion.

11. Agathocles sent his Son Agathocles to Demetrius to enter into a League with him, Offensive and Defensive. The King kindly receiv'd the young Man, and bestow'd on him a Royal Robe, and many other Rich and Princely gifts: And sent along with him Oxythemes his special Friend, under colour to confirm the League, but in truth to be a Spy in Sicily.

12. King Agathocles after a long Peace between him and the Carthaginians, at length * 1.11 Rigg'd out a great Fleet. For he design'd to transport an Army into Lybia, and with his Navy to hinder the Exportation of all Corn and Provision, from Sardinia, and Sicily to the Carthaginians, who by the last War had gain'd the Dominion of the Sea, and thereby had secur'd their Countrey from Invasions. And tho' Agathocles had a well furnish'd Fleet, to the number of Two hundred Gallies of four and six Tire of Oars, yet he fail'd in his design, by reason of what shortly happen'd. For there was one Menon an Agestone, a beautiful Captive then Servant to the King, who for some time conform'd himself to a strict compliance to the Kings humour, so that he was taken into the number of his * 1.12 beloved and intimate Friends. But because of the ruin of his Country and the dis∣honourable abuse of his own Person, he bore a secret hatred to the King, and watch'd an opportunity to be reveng'd. The King because he was old, intrusted Archagathus with the Command of the Army: he was the Son of Archagathus who was kill'd in Lybia, and so was King Agathocles's Granchild, he was a Man of a strong Body, and of a brave and generous Spirit, far above all the rest of his Family. When he was Encamp'd with the Army near Aetna, the King had a desire to promote his Son Agathocles to be his Successor in the Kingdom, and to that end recommended the young Man to the Syra∣cusians, and declar'd his purpose and design to have him Succeed. Afterwards he sent him to the Camp, with Letters to Archagathus, which order'd him to deliver up the Command of all the Forces both by Sea and Land to his Son; Upon which Archaga∣thus perceiving that the Kingdom was design'd for another, contriv'd the destruction of them both: And to that end sent a Messenger to Menon of Aegista, who perswaded him to poyson the King: * 1.13 He himself celebrating a Sacrifice in a certain Island, where Agathocles then lay with the Fleet, Invited him to the Festival; and in the Night (when he was dead drunk) cut his throat, and threw his Body into the Sea, which being af∣terward cast up by the Violence of the Waves, was known by the Inhabitants, and car∣ry'd to Syracuse. And whereas it was the King's Custom always after Supper to pick his Teeth with a Quill, now rising from the Table, he call'd to Menon for his Tooth∣picker: Who having dipt the end of it in Poyson, deliver'd it to the King; who ne∣ver suspecting any thing, ply'd all his Teeth with that care and earnestness, that none of his Guns scap'd the touch of the Poyson. Upon ths the Kingbegan by little and * 1.14 little to be very ill, which was succeeded by violent Torments in his Body every Day. Then an incurable putrefaction and rottenness cover'd hs Gums and Teeth, and now drawing near to his end, he call'd a Senate, where he complain'd of the wickedness of Archagathus, and incited the People to take revenge of him for his Villanies, declaring that he would forthwith restore them to their Democracy. Afterwards when he was in the very height of his Extremity, Oxythemes (that had been there a little before, sent by King Demetrius) hurri'd him to the Funeral Pile, and ••urnt him while he was yet alive, and not able to speak by reason of the foulness and filthness of his Mouth through the Poyson. And thus Agathocles for the many Slaughters and Murders of his Reign, and * 1.15 Cruelties towards his own Subjects, and Impieties against the ••ods came to an end, such as he justly deserv'd for his former wickednesses, after he hd Reign'd Twenty eight Years, and liv'd Seventy two, as Timeus the Syracusian relates, and Callias another Syra∣cusian (who writ Two and twenty Books) and Antander likewise the Brother of Aga∣thocles an Historian. The Syracusians having now Regain'd ther Democratical Govern∣ment Consiscated all the Goods and Estate of Agathocles, and boke down all his Statues. Menon in the mean time (who had Plotted and Executed the T••ason) was at the Camp with Archagathus, having fled thither from Syracuse: And now beginning to look very big upon it (as being the Man that had ruin'd the Monarchy) ••e secretly Murthers Ar∣chagathus,

and with fair Words, and winning Carriage brought over the Army to his In∣terest, and determined to force Syracuse to Obedience, and gain the Principality. Here∣upon the Syracusians created Hicetas General against Menon, he continu'd the War for some time: Menon all along seeking to avoid Fighting, and could by no means be brought to ingage. But when the Carthaginians join'd with Menon (by which he became far stronger than the Syracusians) they were forc'd to agree with the Carthaginians, and deliver Four hundred Hostages for further Security of the Peace, and to restore all the Exiles. However, when the Mercenary Soldiers were deny'd their right to give their Votes for the choosing of the Magistrates, the City was presently in an uproar: And both Syracusians and Mercenaries ran to their Arms: But some of the better sort inter∣pos'd, and by much Intercession prevail'd with both parties to agree upon this Conditi∣on, That the Soldiers should depart out of Sicily by such a time, and take all their Goods along with them: Hereupon the Foreign Soldiers March'd away from Syracuse, and came to Messina, where they were receiv'd into the City as Friends and Confederates, * 1.16 and being kindly entertain'd in their Houses, in the Night they Massacred all their Hosts, and Marrying their Wives, Seiz'd upon the City, which they call'd Mamertina from Mars, which in their own * 1.17 Country Language they call Mamers.

13. For they that are not Members of the Democratical Government, are not admit∣ted by the Tribune of the People to give their Suffrage amongst them that are.

14. It's a commendable thing to be ever Terrible to an Enemy, and always kind and courteous to a Friend.

15. Since that at that time, when you knew not what was best or fittest to be done, you were catcht with fair and enticeing Words: And now when you see Calamity up∣on the Country indeed, you are taught another Lesson. For to be Ignorant sometimes of things that may fall out in this Life, is natural to Mankind: But to be deceiv'd twice in the same thing, argues a Man to be a Fool. And the oftner we are so deceiv'd, the greater punishment we deserve. Some of the Citizens are grown to that height of Covetousness that they would fain raise up the glory of their Families by the ruin of their Country. For they that have so wickedly acted in assisting others, pray! how have they been us'd by them.

16. Offences are to be forgiven, and Peace to be kept for the time to come.

17. Not they that offend; but they that repent not of their offences, ought to be se∣verely punish'd.

18. Mercy and Kindness amongst Men, is more Ancient than Wrath and Revenge.

19. It's a commendable and desireable thing to lay aside all Animosities. and instead thereof to return to Friendship and Amity. For when a Man is reduc'd to Poverty and Straits, he presently (at the first Nod as it were) runs to his Friends.

20. Covetousness being naturally Ingrafted into Men, no Man can be wholly free from this Vice. Pride, and a Tyrant's Robes ought to be left at home. For he that en∣ters into a free City, ought to conform himself to the Laws of the Place. He that is of a Princely Family, and comes to a Kingdom by Hereditary descent, is desirous likewise to succeed in the Glory and Reputation of his Ancestors. For it's a Base and Disho∣nourable thing to carry the Name of Pyrrhus the Son of Achilles, and yet in Actions to imitate * 1.18 Thersites. For the more honour and reputation any Person has gain'd, so much the more the regard and respect will he have for them who were the Instruments of his Advancement and happy Successes. Therefore what may be honourably and deservedly obtain'd, should not be us'd unjustly and disgracefully, when it is enjoy'd. It is therefore (Gentlemen) a commendable thing, by the example of other Mens Harms and Mistakes, Wisely to provide for our own Security.

21. It does not become any Man to have more regard to Strangers, than his own kin∣dred, and to be more fearful to exasperate an Enemy, than careful to preserve the good Will and Opinion of his Allies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Olymp. 119. 4. Ant. Ch. 299.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  At Issus: in Phrygia. Plut. in Pyrrhus Anian. lib. 7.
• * 1.4

  Agathocles frees Corcyra.
• * 1.5

  Agathocles King of Sicily puts 2000 Mer∣cenaries to the Sword.
• * 1.6

  Aetini, Peo∣ple of Sicily. Agathocles takes Crotona in Italy.
• * 1.7

  Olymp. 121. Ant. Ch. 296.
• * 1.8

  Agathocles again invades Italy.
• * 1.9

  His Garison all M••rd••red.
• * 1.10

  Demetrius takes Thebes.
• * 1.11

  Agathocles Riggs a Fleet against Car∣thage.
• * 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 His Catamite. Menon, his Catami••e.
• * 1.13

  Archaga∣thus The son of A∣gathocles Murder'd.
• * 1.14

  The manner of his Death.
• * 1.15

  Olymp. 123. 4. A. M. 3798. His Life is noto∣rious. vide Ju∣stin lib. 22. 23. his end other∣wise rela••••d.
• * 1.16

  The Mercena∣ries murder the Messinians in the Night.
• * 1.17

  Campania.
• * 1.18

  A•• filthy ugly fellow kill'd by Achilles for his saucines by a box on the Ear. Hom. 2. lib. Iliad.