Page 610 to return into his own Country; and when he came, being conducted into the Temple of Ceres by the Citizens, he there swore that he would do nothing to the Prejudice of the Democracy.
Putting on therefore a Cloak of Dissimulation, as if he would protect the Democracy, and having caught the People by divers Tricks and Devices, he was made General and Conservator of the Peace, till all Matters should be appeas'd amongst the Exiles that were return'd to the City. For every Company and Fraternity were divided into many Factions, and very great Heart-burnings there were between private and particular Persons: But the Senate of Six hundred that was appointed to govern the City after an Oligarchy, was most fierce against Agathocles's Party; for the Members of this Assembly were such as were the Richest and of the best Quality among the Syracusians.
However, Agathocles, who now affected the Sovereignity, gain'd many opportunities for the accomplishing of his Designs: For he had not only a Command of an Army as General, but News being brought that there was an Insurrection in the Bowels of the Country at Erbita, he gain'd a further opportunity to increase his Army, and raise what Men he pleased without suspicion. Under colour therefore of his Expedition to Erbita, he rais'd Men out of Morgantina and other Cities, in the Heart of the Country, together with those that had formerly serv'd him in the Wars against the Carthaginians; for all these had a great respect for Agathocles, upon the account of the many instances of his kindness towards them, throughout the whole War. On the other hand they hated the Six hundred who had been a part of the Oligarchy in Syracuse, and no less abhorr'd the People who forced them into Obedience. There were Three thousand of them that were thus very ready with Heart and Hand to overturn the Democracy: To these he join'd some of the Citizens, who by reason of their Poverty envy'd the Power and Pomp of the great Ones.
When every thing was ready, he order'd the Soldiers to meet him at spring of Day, in a Body at Timoleontium; and he himself in the mean time sent for Pisarchus and Decles, (who seem'd to be the most leading Men among the Six hundred) pretending to discourse with them concerning some Matters relating to the Publick Good: When they came to him, accompany'd with forty of their Friends, he pretended he was to be betray'd by them, and thereupon seiz'd them all, and accus'd them to the Soldiers, declaring, that for his love to the People, he was likely to be hurried away to destruction by the Six hundred, and sadly bewail'd his Miserable State and Condition; at which all the Soldiers were so enrag'd that they cry'd out, that Revenge should be presently taken without any further delay, upon the Authors of such Injustice: Upon which he commanded the Trumpets to sound a Charge, and order'd his Soldiers to kill those that were the Ring-leaders of the Mischief, and spoil and plunder the Six hundred, and all those that sided with them, of all their Goods and Estates. Hereupon all being now eagerly set upon Ravage and Spoil, the whole City was fill'd with Horror and Confusion; for the most Innocent of the Citizens not dreaming of any Massacre design'd against them, ran out of their Houses into the Streets, to see what the Ground was of the Uproar; whereupon, the Soldiers, partly through their Covetousness to enrich themselves, and partly through Madness and Rage, fell upon the Naked People that (through Ignorance) had no Arms to defend themselves, and put them all to the Sword. For the Soldiers having secur'd all the Narrow Lanes and Passes in the City, the Citizens were inhumanly Murder'd, some in their Houses. and others in the Streets, and many (altogether Innocent, not accus'd of the least Fault) were knock'd on the Head while they were asking the reason why they were to be kill'd. For the common Soldiers (having now all in their Hands) made no difference betwixt Friend and Foe; but he was sure to be reputed an Enemy where most was to be gotten by his Fall; so that then you might see the whole City fill'd with Violence, Murders, Slaughters, and all kinds of Wickedness: For some out of former grudges spar'd not to load those they before hated with all sorts of Disgrace, having now full sway to do whatever they pleas'd; others judging it an act of Prudence to enrich themselves by the Butcheries of them that were rich; spar'd no means, nor omitted any contrivance to destroy them. For some broke down the Gates of the Out-Courts, others by Ladders ascended the House Tops, and some fought with them that defended themselves from the Roofs of the Houses. Nay, there was no safety even to them who fled to the Temples under the shelter of the Gods; but Piety towards the Gods was crusht and born down by the Cruelty of Men: And these things Greeks against Greeks in their own Country, and Kindred against Kindred in a time of Peace, without any regard either to the Laws of Nature, or Leagues or Reverence to the Gods, dar'd thus audaciously to commit: Upon which account not only Friends, but even Enemies themselves, and every sober Man, could not but pity the miserable Condition of these distressed
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.