Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVI - The Library of History



Page 514 the Grandeur and Riches of their Country) yet he gave all to the Soldiers, as the Reward of their Valour. The Carthaginians that escap'd, with much ado got to Lilibeum, in such Fear and Consternation, that they durst not go on board their Ships, in order to return to Africa; as if through the Anger of the Gods, they should be swallow'd up by the Libean Sea.

As soon as the News of this Overthrow was brought to Carthage, their Spirits were mightily broken, and they expected that Timoleon would invade them with his Army upon the first Opportunity: Therefore they forthwith recall'd Gescon, the Brother of Hanno, from his Banishment, and being a stout Man, and an experienc'd Soldier, created him General. But looking upon it not Adviseable for the future to venture the Lives of the Citizens, they resolv'd to hire Soldiers out of other Nations, and especially from among the Graecians, not doubting but that many would List themselves, by reason of the large Pay promis'd by the rich Carthaginians. They sent likewise Ambassadors into Sicily, with Orders to strike up a Peace upon any Terms whatsoever.

After the end of this Year Lysimachides was created chief Governor of Athens, and Quintus Servilius and Marcus Rutilius bore the Office of Consuls at Rome. Then Timoleon, as soon as he return'd to Syracuse, in the first place expell'd those as Traytors out of the City, who had deserted him through the Instigation of Thracius. These being transported into Italy, they seiz'd upon a Sea-Port Town of the Brettians, and plunder'd it. Upon which the Brutians were so enrag'd, that they forthwith came against them with a great Army, took the Town by Storm, and put every Man of them to the Sword. And such was the miserable End of these Deserters of Timoleon, as the just Punishment of their former Villany.

Afterwards he took Posthumius the Tyrant, and put him to Death, who had infested the Seas with his Piracies, and came at that time into the Port of Syracuse as a Friend. He receiv'd likewise with all Demonstrations of Kindness Five thousand Persons, whom the Corinthians had sent over to plant new Colonies. The Carthaginians now by their Ambassadors having earnestly su'd to him for Peace, he granted it to them upon these Terms; That all the Greek Cities should be set free; That the River Lycus should be the Bound between the Territories of both Parties; and, That the Carthaginians should not for the future assist any of the Tyrants against the Syracusians. Having afterwards subdu'd Hicetas, he order'd him an Honourable Burial; and took Aetna by Storm, and put all the Campanians to the Sword. And he so terrifi'd Nichodemus the Tyrant of the Centorippians, that he fled out of the City. Then he forc'd Apoilonides, who Lorded it over them of Agyra, to Abdicate the Government, and the Inhabitants thus freed, he inroll'd them as Citizens of Syracuse. To conclude, having rooted up all the Tyrants throughout the whole Island, and freed the Cities from their Oppression, he receiv'd them all into his Protection, and they became his Confederates. Then he caus'd Proclamation to be made throughout all Greece, That the Senate and People of Syracuse offer'd Houses and Lands to all who were willing to be Members of the Commonwealth of Syracuse: Upon which, many came flocking over as to the Possession of a new Inheritance. At length Forty Thousand new Planters had their Shares by Lot in those Lands that yet remained undivided within the Territories of Syracuse; and Ten thousand were allotted to Agyra, being a very large and pleasant Country.

Not long after, he caus'd all the ancient Laws of Diocles for the Government of the Syracusians, to be review'd, and amended. Such part of them as concern'd private Commerce and Inheritances he alter'd not; but those that related to the Administration of the Publick Government, and the Commonwealth, he amended as he thought most expedient. Cephalus a Corinthian, a Learned and Prudent Man, was chiefly concerned in this Emendation and Correction of the Laws. When this Business was finish'd, he translated the Leontines into Syracuse, and greatly enlarg'd Camarina with Multitudes of Inhabitants. And to sum up all, he brought Things to that pass throughout all Sicily, (now through his Care in perfect Peace and Tranquility,) as that the Cities in a very short time abounded in Wealth, and all Earthly Blessings. For through the Seditions and Intestine Wars, (which Sicily labour'd under for a long time together,) and the many Tyrants that set up for themselves, it was brought to that miserable Condition, that the Cities were depopulated, and the Lands lay wast and untill'd, and no Crops to be had for the Supply of Daily Food. But now that there were many Plantations of Colonies bless'd with a constant Peace, and the Land was every where manur'd and improv'd by the Labour of the Husbandman, it began to yield all sorts of Fruits, which being vented (with great Advantage) to the Merchants, the Inhabitants grew exceeding rich in a very short time. And this abundance of Wealth occasion'd in that Age many stately


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