Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVIII - The Library of History



Page 579 had block'd up all the Passages) he Encamp'd for some time, expecting the Macedonian Army.

But Antipater, who was left Viceroy of Europe by Alexander, as soon as he heard of his Death at Babylon, and of the Divisions of the Provinces sent to Craterus in Cilicia, to come to him with all the Force he had for his Assistance. For he being sent away some time before into Cilicia, had ready Thirty thousand Macedonians, who were dismiss'd from the Service in Asia, with which he was returning into Macedonia. He likewise solicited Philotas (who had the Province of Phrygia near the Hellespont under his Command) to assist him, and promis'd to him one of his Daughters in Marriage. For as soon as he heard of the Insurrection of the Grecians against him, he left Sippas with a considerable Body of Men, General in Macedonia, with Orders to raise many more; and he himself march'd out of Macedonia into Thessaly with Thirteen thousand Foot and Six hundred Horse: (For at that time there was great scarcity of Soldiers in Macedonia, by reason of the Recruits sent into Asia;) With these Forces sail'd along the whole Fleet near at hand, which Alexander had sent into Macedonia with a vast Treasure out of the King's Treasuries.

The Navy consisted of an Hundred and ten Gallies of three Tire of Oars. The Thessalians indeed at the beginning joining with Antipater, had sent to him many brave Horses; but afterwards, being brought over by the Athenians into the contrary Interest, they turn'd off with their Horse to Leosthenes, and join'd with the Athenians for the recovery of the Liberty of Greece.

The Athenians therefore growing very strong by many flocking thus in to them, the Grecians over power'd the Macedonians and overcame them in a Battel. Antipater being routed, not daring to abide in the Field, nor judging it safe to return into Macedonia, fled to Lamia, where he drew in his Army into the City, repair'd the Walls, furnish'd himself with Arms Offensive and Defensive, and with Corn and Provision, waiting for supplies out of Asia.

Leosthenes with all his Forces coming up close to Lamia, fortify'd his Camp with a deep Trench and Rampire: And first he drew up his Army in the face of the City, to provoke the Macedonians to fight; But they not daring to Engage, he daily assaulted the Walls with fresh Men succeeding one another. But the Macedonians made a stout Defence, and many of the Grecians through their Rashness and Imprudence were cut off: For having a strong Body of Men in the City, and well furnish'd with all sorts of Weapons, and the Walls of the City with great Expence being strong and well built, the Besieg'd easily repuls'd the Enemy.

Leosthenes therefore perceiving he could not gain the Town by force of Arms, block'd it up, to hinder all supplies of Provision, supposing the Besieg'd would be presently subdu'd by Famine, and want of Bread. To this end he rais'd a Wall, and drew a deep Trench round about it, and so penn'd them up. Afterwards, the Aetolians (being call'd away upon the occasion of some Publick concerns) got leave of Leosthenes to return home, and so all of them march'd back into Aetolia.

But while Antipater with his Army was in these desperate Straights, and the City near lost for want of Provision, Fortune on a sudden turn'd the Scale to the Advantage of the Macedonians. For Antipater made a Sally upon them that were busy'd in opening the Trenches; where Leosthenes coming in to their Relief, receiv'd a Blow upon the Head with a Stone, which fell'd him to the Ground, and so was carry'd off half dead into the Camp, and died the Third day after; and was honourably Bury'd upon the account of the Noble Service he had perform'd in the War. The Athenians commanded Hyperides to set forth his Praise in a Funeral Oration, who was esteem'd the Chiefest of the Orators at that time, both for his Eloquence, and particular hatred of the Macedonians: For Demosthenes the most famous Orator was then fled, being condemn'd as if he had receiv'd Bribes from Harpalus. Antiphilus, a Prudent and Valiant Commander, was created General in the room of Leosthenes. And this was the State of Europe at that time.




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