Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XVIII - The Library of History



Page 605 lie upon the Coasts of the Hellespont, to stop the Passage of the Forces out of Asia into Europe, and to join with Arrhideus, who had fled to the City of the Ganians, being Enemy to Antigonus. After he had pass'd over the Hellespont, and taken in the Cities of the Propontis, he strengthen'd his Army with the Forces of Arrhideus. Nicanor the Governor of Munychia, on the other side, being sent away with the whole Fleet by Cassander, sail'd to those Parts where Clitus lay: He join'd likewise with the Navy of Antigonus, so that he had a Fleet of above a Hundred Sail.

Hereupon there was a Fight at Sea near Byzantium, wherein Clitus was Conqueror, and sunk Seventeen of the Enemy's Ships, and took no fewer than Forty, together with all their Men. The rest got into the Haven of Chalcedon. Clitus being thus successful, suppos'd the Enemy by reason of this great loss durst never engage more at Sea.

But Antigonus having intelligence of this Defeat of the Fleet, by his Industry and admirable Conduct, presently repair'd it: For having sent for several Transport Ships in the Night from the Byzantians, on these he put on board Darters, Slingers, and other light-arm'd Men, sufficient for the present design, and in the Night transported them to the other side; who before Day setting upon the Enemy at Land (who had left their Ships and were there Encamp'd) put Clitus and his Men into great Terror and Confusion; who in that sudden Fear and Amazement leap'd into their Vessels; so that through the cumber of their Luggage, and multitude of Prisoners, the Tumult and Disorder exceeded.

In the mean time, Antigonus had fitted out some Long Ships, and Mann'd them with many of his stoutest Foot Soldiers, and bid them boldly attack the Enemy, for they were sure to be Conquerors. Hereupon they came up with Nicanor in the Night, and about break of Day fell in suddenly upon the Enemy still in confusion, and presently upon the very first Charge put them to flight; some of the Enemy's Ships they broke in pieces with the Beaks of their own, and brush'd off the Oars of divers; some they gain'd without fighting; being deliver'd up by the Men themselves that were on board. At length all the rest (except the Admiral's Ship) fell into their Hands. Clitus forsook his Ship and got ashore, and design'd to have preserv'd himself by getting into Macedonia; but in his way falling amongst some of Lysimachus his Soldiers, he was slain.

Antigonus his Reputation for Skill and Prudence in the management of Martial Affairs, was much advanc'd by this remarkable Victory. Hereupon he was very earnest and intent to be Master at Sea, and (without the least doubt of the matter) to gain the Sovereignty of Asia. To this end he pick'd out of his whole Army, Twenty thousand Foot, and Four thousand Horse, that were the briskest and most active Men, and march'd towards Cilicia to break Eumenes before he grew too strong. But Eumenes understanding the hot Temper of Antigonus, march'd away into Phaenicia to regain it for the Kings, then unjustly detain'd from them by Ptolemy: But not having an opportunity to do what he design'd, he remov'd out of Phaenicia, and march'd with his Army through Caelo-Syria, to get into the higher Provinces. Afterwards he lost some of his Men at the River Tigris, by an attack upon him in the Night by some of the Inhabitants. In the like manner he was fallen upon in the Province of Babylon, by Seleucus, near the River Euphrates, and was in great danger to have lost all his Army; where by the Breach of a Dyke his whole Camp was very near being over-flow'd and drown'd. But setting his Wits at work he fled to a high Bank of Earth, and diverting the Water another way, preserv'd both himself and his Army.

And so beyond his expectation he escap'd Seleucus, and got into Persia with Fifteen thousand Foot, and Thirteen hundred Horse. Having refresh'd his Soldiers after all their Toils and Labours, he sent to the Governors and Captains of the higher Provinces to fur¦nish him with more Men and Money. And in this State were the Affairs of Asia this Year.

But as for Europe, after the Losses and Misfortunes of Polysperchon at Megalopolis, many of the Greek Cities revolted from the Kings to Cassander. And because the Athenians could not get rid of the Garison either by the help of Polysperchon or Olympias, one of the most eminent Citizens made bold to say in the publick Assembly, That it was for the Interest of the City to close with Cassander. At the first there was a great Hurly-burly, some being for and others against what was said: But the advantage being more calmly debated and consider'd, by common consent it was at length decreed, That Peace should be made with Cassander, upon such Conditions as could be obtain'd by their Ambassadors. In pursuance whereof, (after some Meetings) these were the Terms of Peace agreed upon, That the Athenians should quietly enjoy the City, the Territory and all the Profits, together with the Shipping and all other things, and should for the future be


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