Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XII - The Library of History



Page 290 and Two Thousand Men at Arms against Cythera, under the command of Nicias and some others. When he had landed his Men in the Island, the City after a short Siege surrendred, and leaving there a good Garrison for the defence of the Island, he passed over to Peloponesus, and spoil'd the Country upon the Sea-Coasts, and took Thyre (situated between the Consines of Laconia and Argos) by Assault, and demolish'd the Walls, and made all the Inhabitants Captives. But the Aeginetes who inhabited there, and Tantalus the Governor of the Castle, he sent Prisoners to Athens, where they were detain'd with other Prisoners.

Whilst these things were acting, the Megareans now tir'd out with the War they had both with the Athenians and their Exiles (after many Messages backwards and forwards between the two Cities,) some of the Citizens of Megara (incens'd against the Exiles) promis'd the Athenian Commanders to betray the City. To that end, Hippocrates and Demosthenes the Athenian Generals (by Compact with them of Megara) sent in the Night Six Hundred Souldiers to the City, whom the Traitors let in within the Walls: But the Treachery being discover'd, the People were divided into Two Factions, one sided with the Athenians, and the other with the Lacedemonians. In the mean time, one of his own accord made Proclamation, that whosoever would, might join with the Megareans and Athethenians. The Lacedemonians thus deserted by them of Megara, the Watch which was all along upon the Walls, left their station, and fled into the Arsinal call'd Nicea, where the Megareans kept all their Naval Stores and Provisions. But the Athenians intrench'd round and besieg'd the Castle; and a little time after, sending for Workmen from Athens, compass'd in Nicea with a Wall. Upon this, the Peloponesians fearing they should all be put to the Sword, if the Place were taken by Storm, delivered up Nicea upon Conditions to the Athenians. Thus stood the Affairs of Megara at this time.

But Brasidas with a great Army rais'd in Sparta and other Parts of Peloponesus, marcht to Megara, and drave the Athenians (surprized with this suddain and unexpected approach) out of Nicea, and reduc'd the City to its former obedience to the Lacedemonians. Then he marched through Thessaly, and came to Dion in Macedonia. Thence going on to Acanthus, he assisted the Chalcedeans, and partly by Threats, and partly by fair and plausible Arguments, wrought upon the chief City of the Acanthians to desert the Athenians. Afterwards he brought over many other of the Thracians to join as Confederates with the Lacedemonians; and henceforward desiring to carry on the War with more Vigour, sent for Soldiers out of Lacedemon to strengthen his Army.

The Spartans hereupon sent to him a Thousand of the best Souldiers amongst the Helots, whom they had long before design'd to root out, hoping most of them would be cut off in the War: And there was another vile act of cruelty committed by them, by which they determin'd utterly to destroy all the Helots. For they made a Proclamation that whosoever of the Helots had done any service for Sparta, should be made Free, and to that end they should send in their Names: When Two Thousand had writ their Names, they order'd the most powerful and chief of the Citizens to cut all the Helots Throats in their several Houses: For they were in great dread of them, lest when they saw an opportunity they should join with their Enemies and so be instrumental to the ruin of Sparta. However, when these Helots, with some other supplies from their Confederates join'd with Brasidas, his Army was very Strong. And thus strengthen'd he March'd his Forces to Amphipolis. Aristogoras the Milesian, was the first that brought Colonies into the City; when he fled from Darius the King of Persia. But after Aristogoras his Death, the Inhabitants were ejected by the Thracians call'd Edones. Two and Thirty Years after the Athenians sent thither a Colony of Ten Thousand Men. But these being destroy'd by the Thracians at Drabiscum two Years after, the Thracians recover'd the City under Apion, their General. This City subject to so frequent changes of War, Brasidas made it his business to subdue. To this end marching thither with a great Army, he encamp'd at the Bridge near to the City, and presently possess'd himself of the Suburbs. The next day they of Amphipolis being greatly terrify'd, surrendred the Place, upon conditions that all


Previous Forward

Bibliotheca Historica


The first five books

The last ten books

Contents



Free Books


The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.



The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.





The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.


Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.