Page 384 into the Sea, thinking they should be able to swim over to Land on the other side; but of Two hundred scarce Fifty recover'd the Shoar of Italy. Afterwards Imilco entred Messina with his whole Army; and the first thing he set upon, was the Besieging the Castles and Forts near to the City, but being very strong and bravely defended by them that had fled thither, when he saw he could not win them by force, he return'd to the City; And having refresh'd and recruited his Army, resolv'd to march against Syracuse.
The Sicilians bearing an inveterate hatred to Dionysius, having now a fair opportunity all of them (except the Assarines) fell to the Carthaginians. Dionysius therefore, to the end he might be supply'd with Men, sets free all the Slaves and Servants of the Syracusians, and with them sufficiently Mann'd Threescore Gallies: he was furnish'd likewise with a Thousand Mercenaries from the Lacedemonians: Passing likewise from place to place through the Country, he fortify'd all the Castles and strong Holds, and furnish'd them with Provision. But his greatest care was to fortifie the Castles of the Leontines, and to that end laid up Stores and Magazines there, brought in from all parts. He likewise persuaded the Campanians, who at that time inhabited in Catana, to remove and reside at the City Aetna, because it was a place of great strength.
After things thus setled Dionysius led forth his Army an hundred and sixty Stages from Syracuse, and encamp'd near to a place call'd Taurus. He then had with him Thirty thousand Foot, and something above Three thousand Horse: His Navy consisted of a Hundred and fourscore Ships, of which there were but few that had Three Oars on a Bank. In the mean time Imilco demolish'd Messina, and commanded his Soldiers to pull down the Houses to the ground, so as not one stick should be left standing, or one Stone upon another; which was effectually executed by burning some and pulling down others. For by so many hands the business was done in a trice: and such was the ruine and desolation of the City, that that place which was so lately full of Inhabitants, could now scarce be known where it stood. For Imilco considering how remote it was from the Confederate Cities, and yet the best Port and Situation in all Sioily, judg'd it absolutely necessary either to ruine it as he had done, or at least so far to destroy it, as that it could not be repair'd in a long time, And thus Imilco, having sufficiently discover'd his implacable hatred to the Grecians, commanded Mago the Admiral to sail with the whole Fleet to the Promontory of Taurus. Here the Sicilians inhabited in great numbers, but without any Head or certain Commander. Dionysius had heretofore given the Country of the Naxians to these Sicilians; but they induc'd by the Promises of Imilco then dwelt upon this Hill (which was naturally fortisy'd) and there at that time they were, and so continu'd after the War, in a City strongly Wall'd, call'd Tauromenium, from its situation upon Taurus.
Imilco himself by swift marches came with his Army to the before mention'd place of Naxia, Mago sailing all along near to the Coast: But because Mount Aeina had a little before vomited out Fire as far as to the Shoar; the Army at land could not march so as to have the Fleet near at hand to attend them. For the passages by the Sea-Shoar were so spoil'd and choak'd up by Rivers and Streams of Fire from Aetna, that the Army was forc'd to take a Compass and march round the Mountain. Therefore Imilco commanded Mago to sail towards Catana, and he himself with the Army hasten'd thro the heart of the Country to join again with the Fleet at that City.
For he was afraid lest when the Forces were divided and far asunder, the Sicilians should set upon Mago by Sea; which happen'd accordingly. For Dionysius having intelligence that Mugo sail'd very slowly, and that the Land Army was engag'd in along and difficult March, hasten'd with all speed to Catana, that he might fight Mago by Sea before Imilco's Army came up. For he hop'd that being upon the Shoar near at hand with his Land Forces, it would much encourage his own, and discourage the Enemy: And that which was the most considerable was, That if his Fleet were worsted, both Ships and Men had a place ready to retreat unto for their safety
Things thus order'd, he sent forth Leptines with the whole Fleet against the Enemy, commanding him to engage in close Order, and not to break his Line upon any account, unless he were over press'd with multitude. There were in Mago's Fleet Ships of burden and Gallies with brazen Beaks, to the number of Five hundred. The Carthaginian's, as soon as they saw the Coasts full of Ships, and the Grecian Navy making out straight upon them, were greatly amaz'd, and began to tack about and make into the Shoar But presently recollecting themselves, they consider'd the insuperable hazard they should run themselves into, if they should fight, both with the Soldiers at Land and them in the Ships at one time, therefore they resolv'd to try it out at Sea, and so putting themselves
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.