Page 306 For Eurymedon striving to surround the Wing opposite to him (by that means being sever'd from the rest of the Fleet) was driven by the Syracusians (who bore down upon him) into the Creek Dascones, before possess'd by other Syracusians; where being hemm'd in within the Straits, and forc'd upon the Shoar, (upon a mortal Wound given) he fell down Dead, and there seven of his Ships were destroy'd. In the heat of the Fight, the report spread abroad that the General was kill'd, and many of his Ships lost; upon which the chiefest of the Gallies which were next in place and order to the Vessels lost, began to give back, and thereupon the Syracusians press'd forward and (heated by their late success) fell with great fury upon the Athenians and forc'd them to an absolute Flight, and driving them into the Shallows of the Haven, many of the Vessels were stranded among the Shelvs and Sands. Upon which Sicanus the Syracusian Admiral fill'd a Ship with Fagots, Fire-brands and Pitch, and set it on Fire among the Ships floating upon the Shallows. On the other hand the Athenians with all expedition extinguish'd the Flames, and when they saw there was no other way left to escape, they valiantly grappled with their Enemies, and threw them overboard. In the mean time the Land-forces of the Athenians were ready upon the Shoar to Aid them that fled that way, and bestirring themselves with extraordinary Valour and contempt of all Dangers routed the Syracusians at Land. But they being Victors at Sea return'd into the City, having not lost many Men in the Sea-Fight. But the Athenians lost no less than Two Thousand Men and Eighty Gallies.
The Syracusians now conceiving that their City was safe, and that their business remaining was to break into the Enemies Camp and ruin their Army, block'd up the Mouth of their Haven with Ships join'd, and fastned together, to hinder the Flight of the Athenians by Sea. To which end they made a Bridge with Boats, Gallies, and other Sihps fixt with Anchors, compacted and fastned together with Iron Chains. The Athenians perceiving that they were penn'd up on every side, and no way of escape remaining, consulted and resolv'd to sill what Ships they had remaing with the best of their Souldiers, that with the multitude of their Shipping, and resoulteness of their Souldiers (now ready to Fight as Men in a desperate condition) they might strike a Terror into the Syracusians. Hereupon the chiefest of the Officers and best and most expert Souldiers Imbark'd and Man'd an Hundred and Fifteen Gallies. The rest of the Army they plac'd in order upon the Shoar. On the other side the Syracusians (being furnish'd with Land-Souldiers for the Defence of their Walls) fitted out Seventy Four Gallies, attended by many of the young Boys of the City, (not yet of full Age) in other Ships as Auxiliaries to be ready to aid and assist their Parents. The Walls of the Harbour and every high Place within the City were fill'd with Multitudes of Spectators. For both Women and Children and all others unfit to bear Arms (with great concern and trembling of Heart) stood to view the Fight in in order to judge how things were like to go with them. At the same time Nicias, the Athenian General, viewing the Fleet, and seriously considering the greatness of the danger, left his Post upon the Shoar, and went on board a Vessel, and sail'd round the Athenian Fleet, and call'd to the Commanders and Captains of every Gally, earnestly intreating them with his Hands lift up to Heaven, that every one would strive to out-do another, and improve to the utmost the present opportunity, being the last ground of hope they were ever like to injoy, for in their valour in the Sea-Fight now approaching, lay the safety and preservation both of them and of their Country. Those that were Fathers he put in mind of their Children: Those that were nobly born he earnestly press'd and exhorted that they would be careful to avoid what ever would stain the Honor and Glory of their Families: Those that had been advanc'd by the People for their former good Services, he advis'd now to approve themselves worthy of those marks of Honor they then bore. Lastly, he put them in mind of the Trophies at Salamis, earnestly adjuring them that they would not prostitute the Glory of their Country, and become Slaves to the Syracusians. After this Speech, Nicias return'd to the Army at Land. When they in the Fleet had Sung the Paean, they made out with a Design to break the Blockade at the Mouth of the Harbour. But the Syracusians sail'd up in order of Battle against them, with that speed that they drove them off the
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.