Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XIII - The Library of History




Page 356 through the High-ways, the time not allowing any regard or respect either to old and grave Men, or young and tender Women, they were not a little affected: And especially it greatly griev'd them, to see decrepit old People forc'd beyond the strength of nature, to go as fast as those that were young. These were the things that enflam'd the Souldiers with Rage against Dionysius; for they suspected that he did this on purpose, that he might gain the Sovereignty over the rest of the Cities, through their fear of the Carthaginians: For they mutter'd among themselves, how small a time he gave his Assistance; that none of his Mercenary Souldiers were kill'd; that he fled so hastily when he had suffer'd so little Loss, and especially when no Enemy pursu'd. Therefore all those who had long wisht for an opportunity to revolt, now did their utmost to shake off the Yoke of his Tyranny, prompted thereunto as it were by the instinct of a Divine Providence. So that all the Italians forthwith left his Camp, and marcht homewards through the Heart of the Country. The Syracusian Horsemen likewise watch'd for an opportunity how they might readily kill the Tyrant on the Road: But observing the Mercenaries constantly to attend close to his Person (unanimously with one consent) they set Spurs to their Horses, and rode away to Syracuse, where they enter'd into the Arsenal without any opposition; the Guard being altogether ignorant of what was done at Gela. Upon their coming there, they forthwith rifled Dionysius's Palace, and carry'd away all his Gold, Silver and rich Furniture out of his House, and most cruelly and filthily abus'd his Wife, to vex and molest the Tyrant the more, and that this sort of Revenge might be a clear Evidence to him, of the Conspiracy against him.

Dionysius suspecting upon his March what was done, hastens to the City with all the Horse and Foot he could confide in, with all possible speed; for he concluded he had no better course to take to disappoint the Horsemen that were gone, than to prevent all intelligence, judging his Design would be more easily accomplish'd, if he were sooner at Syracuse than they could believe; which happen'd accordingly: For the Horsemen thought that Dionysius durst neither stay with, nor be far from his Army. And therefore now as confident that they had gain'd their purpose, they nois'd Abroad that Dionysius pretended to fly from Gela for fear of the Carthaginians, but in truth he fled from the Syracusians. In the mean time Dionysius having marcht without stop almost 400 Furlongs, came about Midnight to the Gates of Acradine, with 100 Horse, and 500 Foot, and finding them shut against him, caused Reeds there ready gather'd out of the Fenns (with which the Syracusians used to burn Lime) to be put to the Gates: While the Gates were on Fire, those that marcht flower came up to him: And when they were burnt down, he forthwith entred through Acradine with all the Forces with him. Upon which, those Horsemen (who were very few) that were of the Noblest Birth, and greatest Wealth (without staying for the Peoples help) got together in the Market-Place to oppose the Enemy; but were presently surrounded with the Mercenaries, and every Man kill'd with Darts and Pikes. Then Dionysius scouring the Streets of the City, put all to the Sword he met that were running here and there to aid their Fellows; and not only so, but enter'd likewise into the Houses of those he took to be his Enemies, of whom, he cut the Throats of some, and banish'd others. The rest of the Horsemen escap'd out of the Walls to that part of the City call'd Acradine. About break of Day the next Morning, all the rest of the Mercenaries, and the whole Sicilian Army came to Syracuse; but the Geleans and Camarineans incens'd against Dionysius, turn'd off to Leontium.

Imilcar at length forc'd by the Circumstances of his Affairs, sends an Herald to Syracuse, to offer Terms of Peace to the Conquer'd: This was very acceptable News to Dionysius, and thereupon Peace was made upon these Conditions, That besides the ancient Colonies the Sicanians, Selinuntes, Agrigentines and the Himereans, should be under the Power of the Carthaginians: That they of Gela and Camerine should be suffer'dto inhabit in their own Cities, yet without Walls, and be Tributary for the future to the Carthaginians: That the Leontines, Messenians and all the Sicilians should be free, and injoy all their own Laws and Liberties, save that the Syracusians should be subject to Dionysius. When all these Articles were ratify'd, the Carthaginians past over to Lybia, after they had lost above one half of their Army by the Plague, which afterwards raging through Lybia, Multitudes perish'd both of the Carthaginians and their Confederates.

And now we are come to the end of the Wars; of the Peloponosian War in Greece, and of the first Carthaginian War with Dionysius in Sicily: And so having finished what we hitherto design'd, we shall treat in the next Book of those Affairs thar fell out afterwards.



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