Page 351 they could not be heard in their own Defence. And besides, the Relations of them that were kill'd, did no little further their Ruin; who came weeping and wailing into the Senate, earnestly desiring that the Commanders might suffer for their Neglect, in not Burying them, who had valiantly lost their Lives for their Country. At length, the Friends of the Dead, and those that prosecuted with Theramenes (of whom many were then present) prevail'd. And thereupon the Commanders were condemn'd to die, and their Estates to be conficate. Sentence being thus given, just as they were leading to Execution by the Lictors, Diomedon, one of them, an Excellent Souldier, and reputed a Just Man, and Eminent in all other Virtuous Qualifications, stood up, and Silence being made through the whole Assembly, thus began:—
Ye Men of Athens, we heartily wish that the Sentence now pronounc'd against us, may issue in the Prosperity and Happiness of this City: But since Fortune has prevented us from paying our Vows, and giving Thanks to the Gods, for the Victory, 'tis most just and fit You should perform it: See therefore that Ye do it to Jove, to Apollo, and the Glorious Goddesses; for by Prayers to them, we have overcome the Enemy.
When he had said this, he was hurry'd away with the rest to Execution; many of the Best of the Citizens bemoaning his Fate with Tears, For he who now went to suffer, never in the least complain'd of the Hardness of his Case, but only advis'd his Countrymen: (who then acted so wickedly) to make their Addresses to the Gods; which was a clear Indication of a Man of a Pious and Generous Spirit, little deserving such base and unworthy Usage. In short, the Eleven Commanders were all put to Death, by the Officers appointed by Law, tho' they had never done the City the least Injury; but on the contrary, benefited their Country, by a Victory gain'd in a Sea-Fight, the Greatest that was ever fought, by Grecians against Grecians; and besides were Men whose Valour had been remarkable, in several Battles, and who had had Statues before erected in Memory of their Victories. The People were then so desperately mad and enrag'd by the Orators, beyond all Bounds of Justice, that they gratify'd their Anger and Revenge, upon Men that were not only Innocent, but deserv'd rather Honour and Rewards.
But not long after, both the Accusers that stir'd up the People, and the People themselves, who gave Credit to their Criminations, sorely Repented of what was done, as if God himself had taken Revenge of them for the Fact: For they that were so willing to be deluded by these Malicious Instigations, not long after receiv'd the Reward of their Folly; when not One, but thirty Domineering Masters were by force set over them. Then was Callixeus (he that gave Sentence of Death against the Accus'd) upon this Change of the People, charg'd as one that had deceiv'd them, and without being admitted to any Defence, was Committed, and carry'd to the Common-Goal; but by the help of some Friends, breaking through the Walls, he fled to the Enemy at Deoelea; so that by the Avoiding of Death at this time, he was pointed at, as it were, by the Finger, for his Notorious Wickedness, not only at Athens, but amongst all the other Grecians abroad, all the Days of his Life after.
These are almost all the Things that are reported to be done this Year. Amongst the Writers, Philistus concludes the First Part of the Affairs of Sicily with this Year, and with the Taking of Agrigentum; comprehending in seven Volumes; the History of above Eight hundred Years. He begins the other Part where the former ended, and proceeds in his Relations contain'd in four Books. About this Time died Sophocles, the Tragedian, the Son of Theophilus, ninety Years of Age. He gain'd eighteen Victories upon the Stage: It's reported of him, That when he Acted his last Tragedy, and came off Conqueror, he fell into so violent a Laughter, that he fell down dead. Appollodorus, a Writer of Chronicles, reports that Euripides likewise died this Year. But others relate, That being entertain'd with Archelaus, King of Macedonia, once walking abroad into the Fields, some Dogs met him, by whom he was torn in pieces; and so miserably perish'd, a little before this Year.
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.