Page 483 deluded, (against the Articles of the Truce) comes down with a stout Party to oppose the Enemy, engages them, and makes a great Slaughter within a small Compass of Ground: For although the Fight was but a small distance from the Walls within the Town, yet a vast Number of Men were got together within this little spot; so that the stoutest Men on both sides were hotly Engag'd. The large Promises egg'd on the Dionysians on one side, and hopes of Liberty stirr'd up the Syracusians with a Resolution for Victory on the other: The Obstinacy therefore on both sides being equal, the Fight was a long time doubtful: Many fell, and as many were wounded, receiving all their Wounds upon their Breasts: For those that first led on courageously, died to preserve those that follow'd; those that were next, cover'd the Heads of them that were tir'd out with their Shields, and valiantly underwent all manner of Dangers, and endur'd the Utmost that could befall them, out of their Heat and Zeal to come off Conquerors. But Dion resolving to do something remarkable in this Engagement, and that by his own Valour he might gain the Day, broke violently into the thickest of his Enemies; and laying about him Herolike hew'd down multitudes, and wholly broke in pieces the Body of the Mercenaries, and was left alone standing in the midst of his Enemies Troops; and though he was pelted with abundance of Darts receiv'd upon his Buckler and Helmet, yet by the Strength and Goodness of his Arms he avoided the Danger; but receiving a Wound upon his Right Arm (through the Greatness and Extremity of the Pain) he began to faint, and was not far from falling into the Hands of the Enemy, but that the Syracusians (highly concern'd for the Preservation of their General) charg'd in a full Body upon the Dionysians, and rescuing Dion (now almost spent) put the Enemy to flight. And the Citizens prevailing at another part of the Wall, the Foreign Forces of the Tyrant were forced to fly into the Castle in the Island.
The Syracusians now having gain'd a glorious Victory, and confirm'd their Liberty by Conquest, set up a Trophy in defiance of the Tyrant, who being thus beaten, and now perceiving that all was lost, and an End put to his Sovereignty, fortify'd the Castle with a strong Garison; then being permitted to carry off the dead Bodies of those that were slain, to the number of Eight hundred, he buried them honourably, crowning them with Crowns of Gold, and richly clothing them in Purple Robes: By this extrarordinary Honour and Respect shewn to the Dead, he hop'd to draw in others more readily and Chearfully to venture their Lives for the support of his Principality. Then he bountifully rewarded them that had valiantly behav'd themselves in the late Engagement: And sent some to the Syracusians to Treat upon Terms of Peace. But Dion study'd excuses to delay the Business; And in the mean time finish'd the rest of the Wall without any interruption.
Thus having deceiv'd the Enemy with an Expectation of Peace, as they had done him before, he admitted the Ambassadors to Audience; Upon which they making proposals for Peace, Dion answer'd, that there was only one way left for the obtaining of a Peace; and that was for Dionysius to lay down his Government, and be contented only with some Honours to be conferr'd upon him. Which answer the Tyrant taking in disdain, as Haughty and Peremptory, he call'd a Council of War to consult with his Officers how he might be reveng'd of the Syracusians.
He abounded with all things except Corn, and was likewise Master at Sea: Therefore he infested the Country with Depredations, and by Foraging for some time got Provisions, but with great difficulty; at length he sent forth Transport Ships and Money to buy Corn and other Provisions: But the Syracusians tho' they had but few Gallies, yet at fit Times and Places they surpriz'd the Merchants, and a great Part of the Corn that they imported. And thus stood the Affairs of Syracuse at this time.
But in Greece, Alexander the Tyrant of Phaerea, was murder'd by his Wife, a Theban, and his two Brothers, Lycophrones and Tisiphonus. They were at first in great repute for killing of the Tyrant; but afterwards growing Ambitious, and having hir'd many Foreign Soldiers, they set up for themselves; and put to death many that were averse from their Designs; and having got together a strong Party, they kept the Soverejgnty by force of Arms.
But the Aleuadae (as they are call'd) Persons famous for the Nobleness of their Birth, conspir'd to oppose the Tyrants: But not being able to perfect so great a Business of themselves, they procur'd the Assistance of Philip King of Macedon, who return'd into Thessaly, and subdu'd the Tyrants, and restor'd the Cities to their Liberty, and carried himself with the greatest demonstrations of Kindness imaginable towards the Thessalians; so that ever after in all his Wars, not only he but his Son Alexander had them to be their constant Friends and Confederates.
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.