Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XIII - The Library of History



Page 355 Bodies; one he deliver'd into the Hands of the Sicilians, with a Command that having the City on the Left, they should fall upon the Trenches and Fortifications of the Enemy: Another Body made up of Succours from the Confederates, he order'd should leave the City on the Right, and march to the Shoar. He himself with the Mercenaries design'd to pass through the City, to the Place where the Carthaginian Engines were plac'd; and commanded the Horse, that as soon as a Sign was given by the Foot, they should pass the River, and disperse themselves over the Fields; and if they discern'd that their own Party prevail'd, they should join 'em, and if worsted, should succour them. He commanded likewise the Officers of the Fleet, that as soon as the Italian Bands came up, they should sail near to the Enemies Camp. While every one was executing the Orders given him in charge, the Carthaginians oppos'd the Enemies landing, and made it their business to defend that part of their Camp towards the Shoar where it was not fortify'd. At the very same instant, the Italians coming in near the Shoar, set upon the Carthaginians Camp, and there intercepted many that had issu'd out to prevent the Landing: And when they had put them to flight that were left to guard that part, they assaulted the whole Camp. Upon which the Carthaginians with the greatest part of their Army (now return'd) hotly ingag'd them, and with much ado drave them back beyond the Trenches which they had gain'd, and pass'd. The Italians being overpowr'd with the multitude of the Barbarians, were forc'd to retreat, and fell into a straight and narrow Pass within the Lines, none of their Fellows advancing to support them; for the Siculi who were far off, came not up in convenient time; and Dionysius's Mercenaries because they could not march swift enough through the Streets of the City, could not succour them. Indeed the Gel ••ns for a little way made a Sally to relieve the Italians, but fearing the Walls would be left naked, they halted and return'd; so that the Iberians and Campanians, with the Carthaginian Auxiliaries, fell very sharply upon the Greeks of Italy, and kill'd above a Thousand of them; but the Pursuers being driven back by Darts and other Shot from the Ships, the rest came safe into the Town. In the mean time the Siculi being ingag'd with the Carthaginians in another part, kill'd many of them, and pursu'd the rest up to their very Camp. But both the Iberians, Campanians and Carthaginians coming to the aid of the Africans, the Siculi having lost Six Hundred Men, return'd into the City. The Horse likewise when they saw all was lost, made to the City, especially for that the Enemy was pressing upon them on every side. Dionysius having passed through the City with his Mercenaries with great difficulty, when he understood that his Army was broken, marcht back, and shelter'd himself within the Walls of the Town: Then calling a Senate of those that were Friends, they consulted concerning the present state of the War; where it was concluded by all, that (because the Enemy was so strong) that was now no Place to put all to hazard. Dionysius therefore sent forth a Trumpet in the Evening, to gain a Cessation of Arms for the burying of the Dead till the next Day. Then about the first Watch of the Night, he sent a Multitude of People out of the Town, and he himself about Midnight march'd forth with the Army, leaving behind him 2000 light Arm'd Men, commanding them to make Fires all the Night long, and set up continual Shouts that the Enemy might believe that the whole Army was still in the Town; but as soon as it began to be light, those left behind with a swift March follow'd Dionysius's Army. When the Carthaginians understood the Cheat, they led the Army into the City, and made a Prey of whatever was left in the Houses.

When Dionysius came to Camarina, he caus'd all the Citizens, with their Wives and Children to remove to Syracuse; and because Fear would not admit of any delay, some carry'd what Gold and Silver they were able; others with their Parents and little Children hasten'd away, without the least regard to their Estates. Some who were old and sick, were left behind by their Friends and Relations, every one thinking that the Carthaginians were at his Heels: For the late ruin and destruction of Sclinunte, Himera and Agrigentum struck all with such a terrour, and fill'd every one with such an apprehension of the Beastly cruelty of the Barbarians, as if it had been then present before their Eyes; for they put all the Captives to the Sword, shew'd no Compassion to any; some they crucify'd, and others they tormented with intolerable Scoffs and Reproaches. The Souldiers of Dionysius seeing Men, Women and Children driven in Droves from Two several Cities in one and the same Country, were much incens'd, pitying the sad Condition of the miserable People: For when they saw young Gentlemen and Ladies in marriagable Estate, unbecoming their State and Age, tumultuously and regardlesly to be driven, led and drag'd in Droves


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