and for them were sent a Messenger, who inform'd 〈…〉e of the Death of them both; and though I am every Day desiring they were alive, yet considering the manner of their Deaths, I cannot but judge them happy, and bewail my own Life, and count my self most miserable: For they by losing of their Lives, (which as a Debt to Nature, they must of necessity some time or other have parted with) for the safety of their Country, have left an immortal Honour behind them. But I now in the end of my Days, being depriv'd of the helps of my old Age, am doubly afflicted, whilst I have both lost my Children, and likewise all hopes of Posterity. For the more glorious their ends were, the more grateful and desirable is their Memory; therefore the very Name of the Athenians is most deservedly hateful to me, whom you see led and supported by the Hands of my Servants, and not of my Children. Ye Syracusians, if I had discerned that this present Assembly had been appointed to consult and advise something in favour of the Athenians, I should (as Justly I might) for the many Slaughters and Calamities brought by them upon the Country, and for my own particular Miseries, most bitterly inveigh against them. But seeing we are here debating about shewing Compassion to the Afflicted, and how to spread Abroad through all the World, the Honour and Glory of the People of Syracuse, I now desire with all Lenity and Gentleness, to propose what I conceive may be every way for the advantage of the Commonweath. The Athenians indeed have justly deserved to undergo all manner of Punishments for their Madness and Folly: In the first place for their Impiety towards the Gods, and next for their great injury done to us. God is certainly good in this, in bringing those into Misery and Distress, who not contented with their own abundance, fall by an unjust War upon others. Who would ever have thought that the Athenians, who had brought over Ten Thousand Talents from Delos, and invaded Sicily with a Fleet of Two Hundred Sail, and with an Army of Forty Thousand Men, should have been brought so low, into such Calamities as now they are? For after so so great a Preparation, neither Ship nor Man return'd to bring the News of their destruction. And now, O ye Syracusians, since ye see by experience, that the Proud and Ambitious are hateful both to God and Man, (adoring the Deity) take heed of doing any thing cruel and inhumane. For what Honour is it, to destroy him that lies prostrate at our Feet? What glory to be sierce and cruel in taking Revenge? For he that is Implacable towards Men in Distress, is injurious to the common frailty and weakness of Mankind. No Man is so subtil as to be able to baffle Fate; who as it were sporting her self in Mens Miseries, oftentimes on a sudden draws a black Cloud over their Prosperity. And here perhaps some may say, The Athenians have most unjustly committed many Slaughters among us, and now we have power to take full revenge. Have not the Athenians suffered already above the degree and measure of their Offence? Have ye not sufficiently punished the Prisoners? Consider when they deliver'd up themselves with their Arms into your Hands, they did it relying upon the mercy of the Conquerors. Therefore it would be a base thing, to deceive them in the good Opinion and Hope they had of your Humanity. Certainly they that are implacable and obstinate in their Hatred, will sight it out to the last; but these instead of Enemies, gave up themselves to you as Suppliants. For they that render their Bodies to the Enemy in time of the Battel, undoubtedly do it in hopes of Preservation; but if they are hurried to Execution (though they were perswaded to the contrary) they indeed fall into an unexpected Calamity; but they who act so Cruelly, may justly be termed raging Fools: But it becomes those who would rule others, to recommend themselves rather by Mercy and Clemency, than to seek to establish their Grandeur by Force and Power. For they who are driven to Obedience through Fear, are ready to execute their Hatred, when they see their opportunity to Rebel. But they love those that rule them with gentleness and moderation, and do all they can to advance and strengthen their interest. What overthrew the Empire of the Medes, but then cruelty to their Subjects? For as soon as the Persians made a defection, most of the Nations together with them rebell'd. How did Cyrus who was but a Private Man, gain the Sovereignty of all Asia, but by his Courtesie and Kindness to those he had subdu'd? He did not only forbear to execute cruelty upon King
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.