Page 612 In Italy this was the Ninth year of the War of the Romans with the Samnites; before which time there had been very sharp Battels and Engagements between them; but then (except some Incursions into the Enemies Country) there was little or nothing done worth taking notice of; only some Forts were taken, and the Country harrass'd. But in Apulia they wasted and spoil'd all Daunia, and having conquer'd the Canutii, receiv'd of them Hostages. There were added likewise two other Tribes to the former, the one of Falernia, and the other of Ufentina.
While these things were acting, the Crotonians made Peace with the Brutians; but the War being continu • d another year with the Exiles, (who were expell'd by the People for their conspiring with Heraclides and Sosistratus, of which we have given a particular Account in the former Book) they created Parones and Menedemus their Generals. In the mean time the Exiles went to Thurium, and there listed Three hundred Mercenaries, and endeavour'd in the Night to have broke into the City: But being repuls'd by the Crotonians, they Encamp'd in the Confines of the Brutians; but within a short time after they were every Man cut off by a much stronger Party, who sallied out of the City against them.
And now having given an account how things went in Sicily and Italy, we shall pass to the things done in other Parts of Europe.
Eurydice being Queen-Regent in Macedonia, as soon as she heard that Olympias was preparing for her return, sent an Express to Cassander, then in Peloponnesus, wishing him to hasten to her Aid and Assistance; and in the mean time, by her Bribes and Promises, she brought over the most active and stirring Men among the Macedonians, to favour her in her designs.
But Polysperchon got an Army together, and being join'd with Aeacides of Epirus, he brought back Olympias, with Alexander's Son into the Kingdom. And hearing that Eurydice was at Evia in Macedonia with an Army, aiming to make an end of all by one Battel, he makes swiftly after; and presently as soon as the Armies Encamp'd one over against the other, on a sudden the Macedonians (in reverence to Olympias, and calling to mind the many Advantages and Kindnesses they had receiv'd at the hands of Alexander) turn'd about; whereupon, King Philip with all his Servants were presently taken. Eurydice likewise, together with Polycles (one of her Counsellors) were afterwards taken; being before return'd to Amphipolis.
Olympias having thus gain'd the custody of both the Kings, and likewise the Kingdom, without Blood; us'd not her good Fortune with that Humanity as she ought to have done: But at the very first imprisoning both Eurydice and Philip her Husband, she us'd them very cruelly: For she coop'd them both up in a very straight and narrow Place, where through a little narrow Hole every thing for their necessary use was deliver'd in to them. And for many days together, she thus (against all Law and Conscience) exercis'd her Rage and Revenge upon these miserable Princes.
But when she perceiv'd that the Macedonians spoke ill of her, out of Pity and Commiseration towards those that were thus miserably dealt with, she deliver'd Philip to certain Thracians, (after he had reign'd Six Years and Four Months) to be stabb'd with Ponyards. But Eurydice she order'd to be more severely dealt with; because she was to free of her Tongue, that she was still blabbing it out, that she was fitter to rule the Kingdom than Olympias: And therefore she sent to her a Sword, a Rope, and a Cup of Poison, bidding her chuse which she would to dispatch her self with, neither valuing the former State and Dignity of the Injur'd Lady, nor commiserating the common lot of Mankind: And therefore she came at length to experience the same turns of Fortune her self, and came to an end, every way worthy her Cruelty. For Eurydice in the presence of the Person that brought her the Instruments of her Death, pray'd the Gods that she might have the like Present sent to her; and then having bound up the Wounds of her Husband, as well as the shortness of time would permit, she wrapp'd him up, and so without any Womanish Complaints, or any base dejection of Spirit, through the greatness of her Misery, she strangled her self in her own Garter.
Having made an end of these two, she kill'd Nicanor, the Brother of Cassander: Then she pick'd out a Hundred Macedonians of Cassander's Friends, and put them all to Death. Having gratify'd her Revenge by these Cruel Acts, many of the Macedonians were incited to hate her mortally for her Cruelty: For they all remember'd the Words of Antipater, who, like an Oracle, a little before his Death, had given strict charge not to admit this Woman to govern the Kingdom. Olympias therefore managing things after this rate in Macedonia, it clearly pointed out a Revolution in the State.
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.