Agathocles his Parentage and Education: His Rise: His Stratagems: His bloody Massacre at Syracuse. He gains the Sovereign Power. The Affairs of Italy. Olympias returns into Macedonia by Polysperchon's means. The Armies revolt to her. Her Cruelties. She murders Euridice, and Arrideus her Husband. Affairs in Asia. Eumenes and Seleucus. Eumenes join'd by many of the Captains. The number of their Forces. He comes to Susa. Attalus and others imprison'd by Antigonus in a strong Castle, seeking to escape, are afterwards besieg'd, and taken.
IN the Rule of Demogenes Chief Magistrate of Athens, and when Lucius Plotius and Manius Fulvius were Roman Consuls, Agathocles became Tyrant of Syracuse. That things as they were severally done may be more clearly and distinctly understood, we shall premise a few things concerning the foremention'd Prince.
Carsinus of Rhegium being banish'd from his Country, dwelt at Thermis in Sicily, which City was then in the hands of the Carthaginians: This Man married a Woman of that Place, who when she was big with Child, us'd often to be troubled with strange Dreams. Being therefore much perpiex'd in his Mind concerning this Embrio, he intrusted this Affair with some devout Carthaginians, who were then going to Delphos, and desir'd them to enquire of the Oracle concerning this Child; who faithfully performing what they were enjoyn'd, the Oracle gave this Answer, That that Child would bring dreadful Calamities upon the Carthaginians and all Sicily. The Father being terrify'd with this Prediction, expos'd the Child in the open Fields, and left it with some to watch to observe its end. After several days it still continu'd alive, and the Guard upon it growing remiss and careless, the Mother in the mean time stole the Child away in the Night, but durst not bring it back to her own House for fear of her Husband; but intrusted it with her Brother Heraclides, and call'd it Agathocles, after the Name of her own Father.
Where being brought up, he grew very Beautiful, and of Strength of Body above what was usual at his Age. When he came to be seven years old, Carsinus was invited by Heraclides to Sacrifice, and there seeing Agathocles playing with other Children about the same Age, he greatly admir'd both his Strength and Beauty; and when his Wife told him, That the Child which he so expos'd, if he had been brought up, would have prov'd as Manly a Child as that he then saw; he answer'd, that he was sorry for what he had done, and then fell a weeping: Whereupon the Woman perceiving that what she had done would be very pleasing and agreeable to her Husband, she discover'd to him the Truth of the whole matter; whereat he was mightily pleas'd, and took away his Son; and out of fear of the Carthaginians, remov'd with all his Family to Syracuse: but being but a poor Man, he taught his Son, then a Child, the Potter's Trade; at which time Timaleon the Corinthian having routed the Carthaginians at the River Cremissus, made all free of the City that would come in to him, amongst whom Carsinus (with Agathocles) were inroll'd as Citizens; and Carsinus died a little time after.
The Mother of Agathocles had in a certain place set up her Son's Statue in Stone, upon which a Swarm of Bees fastned, and began to make their Wax-Combs upon the Hips of the Statue; which remarkable Passage being related to those who apply themselves to Studies of that kind, all unanimously agreed, That when he came to be a Man, he would be famous; which happen'd accordingly: For Demas, a Nobleman of Syracuse, falling in love with Agathocles, first supply'd him liberally with every thing he had occasion for; so that he began in some measure to taste of Plenty; afterwards being created General of the Agragentines, he advanc'd him to be a Colonel in the room of one that was then lately dead. He was indeed very remarkable and of great Esteem before he was an Officer, upon the account of the Strength of his Body; for in the time of Training and Military Exercise, he bore so great a weight of Armour, and carry'd such mighty Weapons, that no other Man was able to bear. But now since he was made a Military Tribune, his Fame spread abroad much more than it did before; for he was eager to fight, daring in Action, and bold, nay, impudent in his Harangues to the People. Demas afterwards fell sick, and died; and having left all his Estate to his Wife, Agathocles marry'd her, and so was esteem'd one of the richest of the Citizens.
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