Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVI - The Library of History



Page 501 in the Camp being gone without any Opposition, the Report was in a short time spread abroad through all the Cities of Aegypt. Whereupon all the Towns were presently fill'd with Seditions through Quarrels, and Dissentions between the Aegyptians and the Foreign Auxiliaries. For all Parties strove who should be most Active and Forward in betraying their several Garisons, every one aiming at his own Advantage, by an Interest in the favour of the Conqueror. And the first that began was Bubastus. For as soon as Mentor and Bagoas Encamp'd before the City, the Aegyptians, unknown to the Graecians, promis'd to Bagoas (by one of their own Country sent to him) to Surrender the City, if they might be all Pardon'd. This being smelt out by the Greeks they pursu'd and seiz'd upon him that was sent, and by Threatning and Affrighting him got out the whole from him, as the Thing in truth was. Upon which, being highly enrag'd, they fell violently upon the Aegyptians, kill'd some, wounded others, and drove the rest into a narrow Corner of the City.

They that were thus assaulted, gave intelligence to Bagoas of what was done, and intreated him, tha without delay he would take Possession of the City, which should be by them deliver'd up to him upon his approach.

In the mean time, the Graecians sent an Herald to Mentor, who secretly advis'd them, to set upon the Barbarians as soon as Bagoas had entred the Town. Bagoas therefore being entred with his Persians, but without the Consent of the Greeks, as soon as part of the Soldiers were let in, the Graecians presently shut up the Gates, and fell on a sudden on the Barbarians, and kill'd 'em every Man, and took Bagcas himself Prisoner, who coming to understand that there was no means left for his Deliverance but by Mentor, he earnestly intreated him to interpose for his Preservation, promising that for the Future he would never undertake any thing without his Advice. Mentor prevail'd with the Graecians to Discharge him, and to Surrender the City, so that the whole Success and Glory of the Action was attributed to him.

Bagoas being thus freed by his means, entred into a Solemn Covenant of Friendship upon Oath with Mentor, and faithfully kept it to the Time of his Death; so that these two always concurring and agreeing, were able to do more with the King, than all his other Friends, or any of his Kindred. For Mentor being made Artaxerxes's Lord-Lieutenant of all the Asiatick Shore, was greatly Serviceable to the King, by procuring Soldeers out of Greece, and by his Faithful and Diligent Administration of the Government.

Bagoas commanding all as Viceroy in the higher Parts of Asia, grew to that degree of Power through his Consultation with Mentor, upon all Occasions, that he had the Kingdom at Command, neither did Artaxerxes any thing without his Consent. And after the King's Death his Power was such, That the Successors were ever Nominated and Appointed by him, and all Affairs of the Kingdom were so wholly manag'd by him, that he wanted nothing but the Name of a King. But we shall speak of these things in their proper Place.

After the Surrender of Bubastus, the rest of the Cities out of fear submitted and deliver'd up themselves upon Articles, into the Hands of the Persians.

In the mean while, Nectabanus, who was now at Memphis, seeing the swift Motions of the Enemy, durst not venture a Battel in defence of his Sovereignty, but abdicating his Kingdom, pack'd up a great deal of Treasure, and fled into Aethiopia. And so Artaxerxes possess'd himself of all Aegypt, and demolished the Walls of all the Cities, especially those that were the Greatest and of most account; and heap'd together an infinite Mass of Gold and Silver, by spoiling of the Temples: He carry'd away likewise all the Records and Writings out of the most ancient Temples; Which Bagoas a while after suffer'd the Priests to redeem for a great Sum of Money. Then he sent home the Greek Auxiliaries with ample Rewards to every one according to their Deserts, for their Services; and intrusting Pherendatus with the Government of Aegypt, he return'd with his Army loaden with Spoil, triumphing in the Glory of his Victory to Babylon.

At the time when Callimachus was Lord-Chancellor at Athens, and Marcus Fabius and Publius Valerius were Roman Consuls, Artaxerxes advanc'd Mentor for the good Services he had done him, especially in the Aegyptian War, above all his Ariends; and that he might put a Mark upon his Valour by a Reward more than ordinary, he bestow'd upon him an Hundred Talents of Silver, and rich Furniture for his House. He made him likewise Prefact of all the Asiatick Shore, and General of his Army, with absolute Power to suppress all Rebellions in those Parts.

Mentor being in near Alliance and Kindred with Actabazus and Memnon (who had not long before made War upon the Persians, and were now fled at of Asia to Philip in Macedonia) by his Interest with the King procur'd their Pardon, and thereupon sent for them


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