Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XIX - The Library of History



Page 642 their Liberties; and by this method he concluded he should find out how things stood with Cassander.

Telosphorus therefore as soon as he arriv'd in Peloponnesus, went to Alexander's Garrisons, and set them all free, except Sicyon and Corinth. For in these Polysperchon had plac'd great numbers of Souldiers, trusting to them and the strength of the places.

In the mean time Philip being sent by Cassander as General to make War upon the Etolians; as soon as he came with his Army into Acarnania, the first thing he did was to harrass and spoil Etolia; but not long after hearing that Eacides King of Epirus (who was now Restor'd to his Kingdom) had rais'd a strong Army, he made against him with all speed: For he endeavor'd all he could to Fight him before the Etolians had joyn'd him. And finding the Epirots ready prepar'd to fight, he forthwith engag'd, and kill'd multitudes of them, and took many Prisoners; amongst whom it happn'd that there were about Fifty of the Faction that were the instruments to restore Eacides whom he sent away bound to Cassander. Afterwards the broken Troops of Eacides Rallying again, joyn'd with the Etolians, and Philip set upon e'm and Routed e'm a second time with the slaughter of many, amongst whom was Eacides himself.

Having effected such great matters in so short a time, the Etolians were so terrifi'd that they forsook their unfortifi'd Cities, and fled with their Wives and Children unto the fastnesses of the Mountains, where it was very difficult to come at them: And this conclusion had the affairs of Greece at that time.

As for Asia Cassander, though he was chief Governour there yet overpress'd with the weight of the War, he agreed with Antigonus upon these terms; that he should deliver all the Soldiers into the hands of Antigonus, and should grant Liberty to all the Greek Cities there to Govern according to their own Laws; and that he should keep the Province he formerly possess'd as by grant from him, and should be ever after Antigonus his firm friend.

And for the true performance of these Conditions he deliver'd to him his Brother Agathonas as Hostage; but within a while after he repented of what he had done, and got his Brother out of their clutches that had him in custody, and sent an Ambassador to Ptolemy and Seleucus, to desire them to send him Aid with all speed: At which Antigonus was highly incens'd and sent away Forces both by Sea and Land with Orders to free all the Cities, and Created Medius Admiral of the Fleet, and Docimus General of the Forces at Land.

These Commanders coming to Miletum dealt with the Inhabitants to stand for their Liberties, and took the Cittadel with the Garrison therein, and restor'd the ancient Laws to the Cities.

In the mean time Antigonus took Tralles; and then lay before the City Caunus, and sending for his Fleet took that likewise, except only the Castle; about which he cast a Trench and made continual assaults upon it in those parts where there was any hopes of Entry: He had sent Ptolemy to the City Jassus with a considerable Army, but he was fain to come back and joyn again with Antigonus; and so all those Cities in Caria came at that time into his hands.

Within a few days after came Ambassadors from the Etolians and Beotians with whom Antigonus entred into a League of Confederacy; but going to Cassander to the Hellespont to Treat with him upon terms of Peace, he return'd without effecting any thing, for they could not hit it upon any score: Whereupon Cassander casting aside all hopes of any accommodation, resolv'd again to pursue the settlement of his Affairs in Greece. To that end he sail'd away with a Fleet of Thirty Sail and laid close Siege to the City Oreum, which he so fiercly assaulted that he took it by Storm; presently upon this came in Telesphorus from Peloponnesus with Twenty Ships, and a Thousand Soldiers, and Medius out of Asia with a Hundred Sail to the relief of Oreum; who spying Cassander's Ships then at Anchor in the Harbour, burnt four of them, and disabled almost all the rest. But the Athenians coming in to their relief, Cassander in scorn and contempt of the Enemy falls upon them afresh, and in the Ingagement sinks one, and takes three, together with all their Men: And thus were Affairs then manag'd in Greece.

In Italy the Samnites wasted and spoil'd the Towns and Country round about that sided with their Enemies: But the Roman Consuls march'd into those Parts with an Army, in order to succour their Confederates; and there encamping near Cinna in the face of the Enemy, they allay'd the Fears of the City. A few days after, the Armies on both sides drew up in Battalia, and fought a bloody Battel, wherein multitudes fell on both sides; but at length the Romans breaking through the main Body of their Enemies, totally routed them, and pursu'd them a long way, and kill'd above Ten thousand.


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