Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVIII - The Library of History



Page 604 only kept close to Cassander, therefore he determin'd to besiege their City. The Megalopolitans hearing what was design'd by Polysperchon, order'd by a publick Decree tobring in every thing into the Town that was in the Fields: Then taking an account of their strength they found that in ancient Citizens, Strangers and Servants, they were in number Fifteen thousand who were able to bear Arms; They forthwith therefore form'd some into Regiments; others they appointed to work in the Fortifications; and to some were allotted the care and charge of Guarding of the Walls; so that at one and the same time, some were employ'd in drawing a deep Trench round the City, some carrying Earth out of the Fields, and others repairing and making up the Breaches in the Walls, others hammering of Arms, and others were busy in making of Darts and Artillery: So that the Dangers which threatned, and the forwardness of the Inhabitants put the whole City in action: For the Greatness of the Kings Army, and the wonderful strength of the Elephants that attended them, was nois'd abroad in every place. And now all things were ready and prepar'd, when Polysperchon approach'd with his Army, and Encamp'd near the City, dividing his Forces into two Camps, one of Macedonians, and another of Confederates; and then brings to the Walls wooden Towers of that height as to overtop them; and upon the Towers Men placed with all sorts of Weapons, and with these he drave them off, who were placed upon the Rampiers.

In the mean time, the Walls being Undermin'd, and the Props and Supporters set on fire, three of the largest Towers were overwhelm'd and tumbled down, with the ruin of the like number of Turrets plac'd between them. This great and sudden Destruction caus'd the Macedonians to set up a shout, and the strangeness of the thing amaz'd the Besieg'd: And now the Macedonians rush through the Breach into the City, and the Megalopolitans before in parties, now all together (having the advantage of the Difficulty of the Place occasion'd by the Rubbish) made up to one part, and bravely bore the Brunt of the Enemies attack, and beat them off: Then they cast up another Work of Earth to guard the Breach; and working Night and Day without any intermission, rais'd another Wall between them and the Enemy; which was presently compleated; for being they were furnish'd with every thing that was necessary, and had many Hands at work, the Megalopolitans quickly repair'd the damage sustain'd. As for those that assaulted them from their Wooden Towers, they ply'd them with their Engines of Artillery, and with Darts and Stones out of Bows and Slings, gall'd and wounded many of their Enemies. After many were kill'd and wounded on both sides, till Night approaching, Polysperchon sounded a Retreat, and drew off his Men into the Camp.

The next day he remov'd the Rubbish before the Breach, to make way and passage for the Elephants, for he thought by the strength of these Creatures to break through into the City: But the Megalopolitans by the help and conduct of Damides (who in the Wars under Alexander, experimentally knew the Nature and Use of the Elephants) altogether baffl'd the Enemy: For he making use of his own Reason and Industry against the Beasts Strength and Violence, made their strong Bodies Useless and Unserviceable; for in a great number of Planks he drave sharp Spikes, and then strew'd them here and there in deep Trenches cover'd with Earth, so as that the Points of the Spikes might not be seen, and thus over these he left the Passage into the City: But he suffer'd none of the Soldiers to stand in the Front, but plac'd a great number of Darters and Archers, and Engines of Artillery in the Flank.

Polysperchon therefore having clear'd the Place, and now approaching with the throng of his Elephants, an unexpected misfortune befell them: For none appearing in Front to oppose them, the Indians press'd them forward to make their way into the City, who by the great weight of their Bodies press'd down upon the Spikes, so that their Feet being wounded, and even pierc'd through, they were so founder'd, that they were neither able to go forward, or return back: And besides, showers of all sorts of Darts and Arrows being poured upon them from the Flankers, some of the Indians were kill'd, and others so wounded, that they were not able to do any further service.

In the mean time, the Elephants (through the multitude of Darts, and the strange and unusual Wounds by the Spikes) were so cruelly tormented, that they forc'd back through their own Men, and trode down many under foot: At length the strongest and most formidable amongst them fell down, others became altogether Unserviceable, and some kill'd many of their own Men.

Upon this Success the Megalopolitans were greatly encourag'd; but Polysperchon wish'd he had never undertaken the Siege; and because he could stay no longer there, he left part of the Army to carry it on, and betook himself to matters of more necessary consequence. Then he sent away Clitus the Admiral with the Fleet, Commanding him to


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