Page 611 People. All the Gates were shut up, and above Four thousand were kill'd in one day, for no other fault but that they were in greater esteem than others: Of those that endeavour'd to fly, some in running to get out of the Gates were laid hold on, others who cast themselves over the Walls escap'd to the next Towns. Some through Fear and Inconsiderateness leap'd off the Walls and broke their Necks. After all, there were thrust out of the City as Exiles, above Six thousand, of whom the greatest part fled to Agrigentum, where they were receiv'd and entertain'd with that Humanity as was agreeable to their present Condition. But those of Agathocles his Faction, (who spent the whole day in Butchering of the Citizens) were not sparing in committing their Rage and Villanies upon the Women, but thought they should be reveng'd upon them that escap'd Death, if they could but abuse their Kindred and Relations, in the most Vile and Beastly manner imaginable: For that it was very reasonable to think, that it would be more bitter than Death it self to Husbands and Parents to think of the Abuses of their Wives, and the Ravishings of their Daughters: But from hence we must forbear composing a Tragedy as is very usual with other Writers, especially to stir up compassion towards them that are involv'd in such horrible Sufferings; because none will expect an express account of every Particular, when the whole is so ready and clear to be understood. For they that durst impudently at Mid-day murder Innocents in the open Streets and Market place, have no need of a Writer to set forth what they did in the Houses in the Night, and how they behav'd themselves towards Wives and young Maids then in the power of their Enemies, without any guard or defence to protect them.
But Agathocles, after he had glutted himself with the slaughter of the Citizens two whole Days, brought together all the Prisoners, and releas'd Dimocrates, upon the account of an old Friendship between them: But as to the rest, such as were his greatest Enemies, he put to Death, and banish'd the other. Then calling a common Assembly, he accus'd the Six hundred, and those who had favour'd the Oligarchy, declaring that he would purge the City of all those that affected a Monarchy; and restore the People to perfect Liberty, and that he would henceforth stand upon equal ground with them all, and live a private Life, free from further Cares and Toils. Upon saying of which he threw away his Generals Coat, and put on a Jacket, and so went his way, making a shew of himself as but one of the Common People. He did this dissemblingly to act the Part of a Commoner; being in the mean time very well assur'd, that there were many in the Assembly that were Brethren in Iniquity with himself, who would never suffer the Generalship to be devolv'd upon any other.
Hereupon, those that had robb'd the oppress'd People of their Goods, immediately cry'd out, and with a loud Voice wish'd him not to desert them, but to take upon him the intire and absolute Management of all Affairs. At first he seem'd to be very shy; but being afterwards more earnestly prest by the Multitude, he told them he was willing to accept of the chief Command as General, provided he should not be join'd with any other Collegue, for he should never be content to be accountable (as the Law then was) for the Miscarriages and Irregularities of those that should be join'd with him in Commission. Hereupon, the People having agreed, that the whole Power should be in him alone, they voted him General, with full and absolute Authority; so that for the future he plainly acted the Part of a Monarch, and manag'd the Affairs of the whole City.
The Syracusians as yet Tame and Quiet, some curb'd by Fear, and others kept down by Force, durst not discover (as a thing vain and to no purpose) the Heart-burnings that were among them.
But many of the Poorer sort, and those that were in Debt, were much pleas'd with this Revolution: For Agathocles had promis'd in the Senate, that all former Debts should be remitted and made Void, and that Lands should be allotted and shar'd out to the Poor.
After he had finish'd these things, he order'd that none for the future should be kill'd or otherwise abus'd. But on the contrary, changing his former course, he carry'd himself with a great deal of mildness towards the People, encouraging many with Rewards, and not a few with large Promises, and courting all with smooth words, he no little winded himself into the favour and good Opinion of the People: And though he was advanc'd to so high a pitch of Honour, yet he put not on a Diadem, nor suffer'd the Attendance of a Life-Guard, nor admitted any difficulty of access to his Person, which is the common practice almost of all Tyrants: But he made it his business chiefly to look after the Publick Revenue, and the making and providing all sorts of Weapons and Arms: He built likewise other long Ships to encrease and strengthen his Fleet: And lastly, brought many of the Cities and Towns in the Heart of the Country to stoop to his Authority. And thus then stood the Affairs of Sicily.
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.