Page 646 The Generals exposing themselves to the utmost Hazard, led on their Men, and encourag'd their Troops to stick to it like valiant Men. The Horse that were plac'd to guard the Wings, were all Brave and Gallant Men, and having their Commanders (who fought together with them) Eye-witnesses of their Valour, strove to outvie one another. And now the Fight between the Horse had been for a long time doubtful, when the Elephants (forc'd on by the Indians) made so terrible an Onset, as if it had been impossible for any to have stood before them: But when they came up to the Palisado, the Archers and Darters sorely gall'd both the Beasts and their Riders; and being still forc'd on forward and whipt up by the Indians, some of them stuck upon the sharp Points of the Palisado, with which (together with the multitude of Darts and Arrows that gall'd them) they were in that Pain and Torment, that they caus'd an horrible Tumult and Confusion. For these Creatures in plain and even Places bear down all before them, but in those that are Rough and Craggy, they are of no use or service, because of the tenderness of their Feet. Ptolemy therefore wisely foreseeing of what advantage this Palisado would be, by that means frustrated the Rage and Fury of the Beasts. At length, most of the Indians that rid them being kill'd, all the Elephants were taken; upon which the greatest part of Demetrius his Horse were in such a Consternation that they forthwith fled; and he himself was left with a very few that attended him; but not being able with all the Arguments he could make, to persuade his Men to stand their Ground and not forsake him, he was forc'd likewise to retreat. A great part of the Horse that follow'd the other, retir'd in good Order, and kept themselves unbroken till they came to Gaza, so as that none of the Pursuers durst hastily fall upon them. For the Field being a large even Plain, they had the more Liberty to draw off in order and retreat in a form'd Body. Some likewise of the Foot, (who judg'd it the best course to forsake their Colours and look to themselves) cast away their Arms, and follow'd the Horse.
About Sun-setting he pass'd by Gaza; but some of the Horse left him and enter'd the City, to fetch out some Luggage. The Gates therefore being open, and the Streets full of Sumpter Horses, and all busie in leading and carrying out their Goods, there was such Disorder and Thronging at the Gates, that upon the approach of the Ptolimeans, none could get up to them to shut them to prevent their Entry; so that the Enemy breaking in, the City thus fell into the hands of Ptolemy. And this was the Issue of this Battel.
Demetrius, without stop or stay, about Midnight came to Azotus, having from the Place of Battel rid above Thirty Mile. Thence he sent a Trumpet to beg the Bodies of the Dead, being very earnest to perform the last Office of right due to them that were slain. Many of his Nobility were there slain, amongst whom, the most eminent was Pitho, join'd in equal Commission with himself, and Beotus who had long liv'd with Antigonus the Father, and was ever privy to all his Designs, and partaker of all his Councils. There were slain in this Battel on Demetrius his side, above Five hundred, of whom the greatest part was Horse, and the Chief of his Nobility; and Eight thousand and upward were taken Prisoners.
Ptolemy and Seleucus, not only granted him the dead Bodies, but sent him back his own Pavillion, with all the Furniture belonging to it, and all such Prisoners as were of his Houshold, free and without Ransom; withal letting him know, that they fought not with Antigonus for these things, but because he had not restor'd those Provinces to the Governors that were conquer'd by their joint Arms in the War first against Perdictas, and then against Eumenes; and for that after he had renew'd his League of Friendship with Seleucus, he had most Unjustly, and against all Right depriv'd him of the Province of Babylon. Other Prisoners Ptolemy sent into Egypt, with Orders to distribute them amongst the several Regiments in his Fleet.
After Ptolemy had with great Pomp and Solemnity bury'd those that were slain in the Battel, he march'd with his Army against the Cities of Phenicia, besieging some, and persuading others to yield. Demetrius in the mean time (being no longer able to hold out) dispatch'd away a Messenger with Letters to his Father, to pray him to come away speedily to his help; and he himself coming to Tripoli in Phenicia, sent for the Soldiers that were in Cilicia and elsewhere in Garisons remote and far distant from the Enemy's Quarters, to come to him. But Ptolemy keeping with his Army still in the open Field, march'd into the Coasts of Sidon, and Encamping near Tyre, sent to Andronicus, Governor of the Garison there, to render up the City to him, making him large Promises both of Wealth and Honour. But he not only answer'd, That he would never betray the Trust which Antigonus and Demetrius had put in him, but also us'd many reviling Speeches against Ptolemy; but a little while after he was surpriz'd by a Mutiny of his own Soldiers, and fell into his Hands; and thereupon expected nothing but Death for his refusal to deliver up
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.