Mantinea Besieg'd by the Lacedmonians. Dionysius aims to gain the Islands of the Adriatick Sea. The Parii built Pharos. Dionysius his Expedition into Hetruria Prepares for War against the Carthaginians. The Sicilians routed at Cronion. The quarrel between the Clazomenians and them of Cuma, about Leuce. The War between Amyntas and the Olynthians. The Lacedemonians seize the Citadel Cadmea at Thebes. Eudamidas breaks into the Olynthians Country.
IN Greece the Lacedemonians press'd on the Siege of Mantinea; and the Mantineans bravely defended the place all that Summer. For they were reputed the most valiant Men of all the Arcadians, and therefore the Spartans in former times were us'd to account these their fastest and truest Friends in all Fights and Engagements. But when Winter drew on, and the River running under the Town swell'd high by the Rains, the Lacedemonians dam'd up the River with Earth and Rubbish, and turn'd the Current into the City, so that all the place round about was like to a standing Pool; by reason whereof the Houses fell down, which amaz'd them of Mantinea, that they were forc'd to deliver up the City: Which being thus taken, the Citizens suffer'd no other hardships from the Lacedemonians, save only that they were order'd to return to those Ancient Villages from whence at first they came: they were forc'd therefore to leave their Country, and settle themselves and their Families in the Villages.
About this time Dionysius the Tyrant of Syracuse had a design to gain the Cities lying upon the Adriatick Sea, and that which chiefly mov'd him to it, was because he covered to be Master of the Jonian Sea (as they call it) to the end he might have a free and open passage to Epirus, and to have Towns and places for his Ships ready to touch at. For he was every day making preparation to Transport great number of Forces into Epirus, and to rifle and plunder the rich Temple at Delphos. To this end he made a League with the Illyrians by the help of Alcetas the Molossian, who was then an Exile at Syracuse And the Illyrians being then engag'd in a War, he sent them Two thousand Soldiers, and Five hundred Grecian Arms: the Arms they distributed amongst the strongest and stoutest of their Men, and the Auxiliaries they mixt here and there in several of their own Companies and Regiments. The Illyrians having now rais'd a great Army; made an irruption into Epirus, in order to restore Alcetas to his Kingdom, and wasted and spoil'd the Country without opposition or controul. Afterwards a sharp Battle was fought between them and the Molossians, in which the Illyrians were Victors, and kill'd above Fifteen thousand of the Molossians, which Slaughter of the Epirots being made known to the Lacedemonians, they sent them aid to curb and bridle the fierceness and cruelty of the Barbarians.
During the transaction of these Affairs, the Parii by the encouragement of an old Prophecy, sent forth a Colony to the Adriatick Coast, where they built Pharos by the help of Dionysius, in an Island so call'd. For not many years before he had sent a Colony thither, and built the City Lyssus: by the advantage of which place (when he had little else to do) he rais'd an Arsenal for Two hundred Gallies, and Wall'd the Town in so large a Circuit, that it exceeded in compass all the Cities of Greece. He likewise built stately Schools and Colledges on the on the side of the River Anapus, with Temples and other beautiful Fabricks to advance the Glory and Greatness of the City.
And now ended the Year: when Diotrephes, for the next was Archon of Athens; and Lucius Valerius, and Aulus Manlius were Roman Consuls. At Aelis was solemniz'd the Ninety ninth Olympiad, in which Dicon the Syracusian wan the Prize. At this time the Pharii (who were now seated in the Island Pharos) Wall'd in the City they had built near the Sea side, not in the least injuring the Barbarians, the Ancient Inhabitants of the Island; but allotted them a place very strong, and excellently well fortify'd. But this nestling of the Greeks was a great Eye-sore to the natural Inhabitants; therefore they sent for the Illyrians bordering upon the Continent over against them, who pass'd over to Pharos in many small Vessels, to the number of Ten thousand Men and upwards, and fell upon the Greeks and kill'd many of them. But he who was made Governor of Lyssus
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.