Page 603 The sum of the Accusation was this; That after the Lamian War they endeavour'd for the most part to Inslave their Country, and to abolish the Democracy, and the Ancient Laws: Time being allotted to the Accus'd to plead their Cause, Phocion began to speak for himself; but the People tumultuously cry'd out against all that he said, and rejected his Defence, so that the Accus'd knew not what Course to take: When the Tumult ceas'd, Phocion began again to speak, whereupon the whole Multitude set up a shout on purpose, that what he said should not be heard: For the Common People (being not long before excluded from having any share in the Administration of the Government, and now newly restor'd beyond all expectation to their Right) bore an inveterate Hatred against those who depriv'd the Citizens of their Laws and Liberties.
While Phocion was thus overborn, and even in a desperate Condition strugling to preserve his Life; those that were next to him, understood the Justice and Equity of his Cause; but those at a distance could hear nothing for the Noise and Clamour that was made by the tumultuous Rabble, but only discern'd the various trembling motions of his Body, through the inevitable danger that seem'd to threaten him. At length Phocion in despair of his own Life, cry'd out aloud, desiring them to condemn him to Die, but to spare the rest.
But the Common People being Fierce and Inexorable; some of Phocion's Friends stood up to make his Defence. Hereupon the People were quiet for a while, and heard what they said at first; but when they proceeded so far as to press Arguments for the clearing of his Innocency, they were cast out with tumultuous and contradicting Clamours: At length being all condemn'd by the unanimous Voice of the People: they were carry'd away to the Gaol there to be executed, and were follow'd by many Honest and Sober Men, who bewail'd their Condition, and the greatness of their Misery: For upon serious Consideration of the inconstancy of every Man's Fortune, it affrighted many to see that Magistrates and Persons of eminent Quality, and Men that had shew'd many acts of kindness in the course of their Lives, should neither have Liberty to plead for themselves, nor otherways enjoy the Benefit of Law. But many of the Rabble being incens'd against Phocion unmercifully, even rent his Heart in pieces with Scoffs and Scorns, and bitterly upbraided him with the Misery of his present Condition. For Hatred smother'd towards Men while in Prosperity, when it breaks forth with Anger against them in time of their Adversity, becomes altogether Savage and Implacable. Being therefore all put to Death (according to the Custom of the Country) by drinking a Potion of Hemlock, all their Bodies were cast forth unburied, out of the Bounds and Limits of Attica: And this was the end of Phocion, with others that suffer'd with him in the same Calamity.
After this, Cassander having got Five and thirty long Ships, and Four thousand Men, Sail'd into the Pireum, and being receiv'd by Nicanor, Governor of the Fort, possess'd himself of the Pireum and the Harbour: But Munychia Nicanor kept himself, with a Force sufficient to defend the Place. At this time Polysperchon and the Kings lay in Phocis; where being inform'd of Cassander's being landed at the Pireum, Polysperchon marched into Attica, and Encamp'd near the Pireum: He had with him Twenty thousand Macedonian Foot, and Four thousand Confederates, a Thousand Horse, and Sixty five Elephants; he resolv'd therefore to besiege Cassander: But because Provision was scant, and the Siege was likely to be long and tedious, he was forc'd to leave so many of the Soldiers in Attica as the Country was able to maintain, under the Command of Alexander, and he himself marched into Peloponnesus with the greater part of the Army, to reduce the Megalopolitans to the Obedience of the Kings; for they being for an Oligarchy sided with Cassander. While Polysperchon was busied in these Affairs, Cassander sail'd with his Fleet to the Aegeans, and brought them in to join with him; but the Salaminians (who were disaffected) he closely besieg'd, and being well furnish'd both with Men and Arms, he assaulted them several days together, and reduc'd them to very great Extremities: But when the City was near being taken by Storm, Polysperchon sent a considerable Force both by Sea and Land to attack the Besiegers; at whose approach Cassander being affrighted, he rais'd the Siege, and sail'd back to Pireum. Then Polysperchon pass'd over to Peloponnesus, to settle Matters there for the Service and Advantage of the Kings. Coming there he call'd a Senate, and spoke to them concerning their joining with him as Confederates in the War; he sent likewise Commissioners to the Cities, with Orders to put to Death them that were created Magistrates in the Oligarchy by Antipater, and to restore the People to their ancient Laws.
Many obey'd the Order, so that while Slaughters and Banishments fill'd the Cities, they that favour'd Antipater's Party were ruin'd and destroy'd; and the Democratital Governments being restor'd to their ancient Laws, all join'd with Polysperchon: The Megalopolitans
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.