Page 644 join as Confederates, he led his Army into Attica, Demetrius Phalerius being then Chief Magistrate of the City. For those Athenians that desir'd to be restor'd to their ancient Laws, had not long before sent some privately to Antigonus to treat with him upon that account; and now being more resolv'd and encourag'd upon Ptolemy's drawing near to the City, they forc'd Demetrius to make a Truce, and send an Agent to Antigonus, in order to treat of a League with him.
Out of Attica he march'd into Boeotia, and took the Citadel Cadmea, and freed the Thebans from that Garison. Thence he went forward into Phocis, and reducing several Cities there, he cast out the Garisons of Cassander in every Place where-ever he came. Then he invaded Locris; and because the Opuntians join'd with Cassander, he besieg'd them, and prest upon the Place with continual Assaults.
About the same time the Cyrenians revolted from Ptolemy King of Aegypt, and besieg'd the Castle there so fiercely, as if they would presently have taken it; and when Messengers came from Alexandria, persuading them to desist, they struck off their Heads, and fell to work against the Castle more fiercely than ever they did before. Ptolemy being exceedingly mov'd hereat, sent one Agis, a Captain of his, thither with an Army, and withal a Navy to assist him by Sea, under the Command of Epenetus. Agis vigorously pursuing the War against those Rebels, took Cyrene by Storm, and committed the Authors of this Sedition to Prison, and then sent them bound to Alexandria, and disarm'd the rest: And so having set things in order there (as he saw cause) return'd into Aegypt.
Ptolemy having had this good Success at Cyrene, took Shipping, and with his Fleet pass'd over out of Aegypt into Cyprus, against those who rebell'd against their Kings; and having gotten Pygmalion (whom he found Corresponding with Antigonus) he put him to death. Then he took Praxippus King of the Lapithi and Prince of Cerynnia, who was suspected of a Revolt, and laid them fast: He took likewise Stasiecus, a petty King of the Malieans, and destroying their City, remov'd the Inhabitants from thence to Paphos; which done, he made Nicocreon Commander over all Cyprus, and gave him the Cities, together with the Revenues of all the Kings which he had cast out of their Dominions, and then went with his Army into the Upper Syria, and sack'd the Cities Posideum and Potamos of the Carians. That done, he went with a flying Army into Celicia, and took Mallus, and sold all the Inhabitants for Slaves, and wasted all the Region thereabouts; and having stor'd all his Army with rich Plunder, sail'd back again to Cyprus. He so shar'd with his Soldiers in all Hazards and Dangers, that he stirr'd them up by his Example chearfully and readily to undergo all manner of Difficulties.
Mean while, Demetrius, the Son of Antigonus, kept in Coelo-Syria, expecting the coming of the Egyptians; but when he heard of the taking of so many Cities, he left Pithon to Command in those Parts, leaving his Corseletiers and Elephants with him, and he with his Horse and Companies of light-arm'd Soldiers hasted away with all speed toward Cilicia, to aid them that were in distress there; but coming too late, and finding the Enemies all gone, he return'd speedily to his Camp again, spoiling many of his Horse by the way; for in six days time he made away from Mallus Four and twenty days Journey by their ordinary Stages; so that through their immoderate Travel, none of their † Servants or Horse-boys were able to keep them company.
Ptolemy therefore seeing all go every where as we would have it, for the present return'd into Aegypt. But not long after, being put on by Seleucus (for the hatred that he bore unto Antigonus) he resolv'd to march into Coelo-Syria, and there to try it out with Demetrius: Wherefore gathering all his Army together, he march'd from Alexandria to Pelusium, having with him Eighteen thousand Foot, and Four thousand Horse, whereof some were Macedonians, and some hired Soldiers: As for the Egyptians, some serv'd to carry their Darts and Weapons, and other Luggage of the Army, and some for Soldiers; and having pass'd the Desart from Pelusium, he encamp'd near the Old City of Gaza in Syria, not far from the Enemy.
Demetrius, on the other side, call'd all his Army out of their Winter-Quarters, and appointed them to Rendezvous at Gaza, there to attend the Enemy's approach. His Friends indeed advis'd him not to sight with so Great a General, who had the advantage of a far more numerous Army; but he rejected their Council, and confidently prepar'd himself for Battel; tho' he was then but a mere Boy, and was to undertake so hazardous an Engagement without his Father. Calling therefore now the Soldiers as they stood at their Arms, he mounted an Ascent rais'd by Earth, and there stood as if he were in Amaze and Astonishment: Upon which, all the Soldiers cry'd out with one Voice, Be Courageous; and presently there was a deep silence before the Herald could command it:
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.