Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XIX - The Library of History



Page 628 and could not agree together what should be done, in order to their Preservation. Some were for making to the Ships, and others for hasting to the Theatre. Some now almost surrounded with the Evil that threaten'd them, in great Terror and Amazement climb'd up to the top of the highest Altars, and others to the top of the Pedestals of the Statues. The City being in this Danger to be overwhelm'd and ruin'd, with all its Inhabitants, on a sudden they were unexpectedly deliver'd: For the Wall burst asunder in a large Breach, and the Water that stood on an Heap made its way through, and ran with a violent Current into the Sea, and so every one presently had free passage to his own House.

It was of great advantage to these distressed People, that this Inundation was in the day time: For most of the Citizens ran to the highest parts of the City for shelter. And another advantage was, that the Houses were not built of Tile, but of Stone; so that they who got to the House-tops escap'd without any great Damage: However, there perish'd in this common Calamity above Five hundred Souls; and some of the Houses were born down to the Ground, and others very ill torn and shaken. And in this danger was Rhodes.

Antigonus, while he Winter'd in Media, discover'd Pitho plotting to draw over the Soldiers then in their Winter-Quarters, partly by Bribes, and partly by fair Promises to his own Interest, and to make a Turn and Defection in the Army. But Antigonus cover'd and conceal'd his Design, and made show as if he gave no Credit to the Informers, but chid them as those that contriv'd only to set him and Pitho together by the ears. In the mean while, he caus'd it to be nois'd abroad, That he intended to leave Pitho, with a considerable Army for his Defence, Lord-Lieutenant of the higher Provinces; and he wrote likewise to him, and desired him to hasten to him with all speed, that after they had consulted together of some weighty Affairs, they might forthwith march away into the Lesser Asia. Thus he manag'd his Business, whereby to remove all ground of Suspicion, and to get the poor Man into his hands, upon an expectation and hopes to be left Governor of those Provinces: For it was a difficult matter to take one by force who was in so great Repute with Alexander, and for his Valour advanc'd by him to Places of Honour; and who being then Governor of Media, was a help and support to the whole Army.

Pitho was at that time in the furthest Parts of all Media in his Winter-Quarters, and had now corrupted many, who had promis'd to join with him in the Defection. His Friends likewise acquainting him by their Letters with Antigonus his Purpose, possess'd him with an Expectation of mighty Things: And thus guil'd, to Antigonus he went; who having now seiz'd his Prey, brought him before a Council of War even of his own Confederates, where he was easily convicted, and forthwith had his Head chopp'd off.

Hereupon Antigonus gathering all his Army together, committed the Government of Media to Orontobates a Median born; but made Hippostratus General of the Army, who had Three thousand 500 foreign Foot-Soldiers under his Command. He himself taking with him the Body of his Army, went to Ecbatana, where receiving Five thousand Talents of massie Silver, he march'd into Persia; and it cost him twenty days march before he arriv'd at the Capital City Persepolis.

In the mean time, while Antigonus was on his march, Pitho's Friends, who were concern'd with him in the Conspiracy (the chief of whom was Meleager and Menoetas) and other Well-willers of Eumenes and Pitho, who were scatter'd abroad into Corners, met together, to the number of Eight hundred Horse; and in the first place wasted the Territories of the Medes who refus'd to join with them. Then receiving Intelligence where Hippestratus and Orontobates lay encamp'd, they broke in upon them in the night, and were not far off from effecting what they design'd; but being overpower'd by number, and having only entic'd some of the Soldiers to run the same course with them, they were forc'd to retreat; yet some of the nimblest of them (all being Horse-men) made many sudden Incursions upon the Country, and caus'd a great Consternation and Hubbub amongst them; but were atlast inclos'd in a place compass'd about with Rocks, and were there all kill'd or taken. But Meleager and Cranes the Median, and some of the better sort of them stood it out to the last, and died with their Swords in their hands. And this was the Condition of the Conspirators in Media.

As for Antigonus, as soon as he came into Persia, the People honour'd him as a King, as he that was now undoubtedly absolute Lord of all Asia: There calling together a Council of his Nobility, he propounded to them the matter concerning the Government of the Provinces: In which Consultation they left Carmania to Tlepolemus, and Bactria to Stasanor; for it was no easie matter to expel them, having gain'd the Hearts of the People by their fair Deportment, and likewise were associated with potent Confederates.


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