Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XX - The Library of History



Page 660 that if they fought couragiously, he would return them far more than those Ships they then had: For the Gods by the Sacrifices, did foretel that they should be Conquerors throughout the whole War: While he was speaking, one of his Servants brought him a lighted Firebrand, which catching hold of, and commanding the like to be deliver'd to the rest of the Captains, he invocated the Goddesses, and was the first that made to the Admiral's Vessel, and standing upon the Stern, commanded the rest to follow his Example: Whereupon, all the Captains of the Vessels set fire to their Ships, and forthwith the Flame mounted alost, the Trumpets sounded a Charge, and the whole Army set up a shout, and all as one Man offer'd up their joynt Prayers to the Gods, for their safe return to their own Country. And all this was done by Agathocles, that he might necessitate his Soldiers to fight, without ever thinking of turning their Backs. For it was plain, that having no Shipping left for their last Refuge, they could not have the least hope of safety in any thing but by being absolute Conquerors. Then he consider'd, that having but a small Army, if he would guard his Fleet he must be forc'd to divide it, and so should not be strong enough to venture a Battle; and if he left the Ships without any Guard, they would 〈◊〉 fall into the hands of the Carthaginians. However, while the whole Navy was on fire, and the Flame spread it self round at a great distance, the Hearts of the Sicilians quak'd: For at first, being deluded by the jugling Tricks of Agathocles, and the the quickness of Execution, giving them no time to consider, they all consented to what was done: But when they had leisure distinctly to weigh every particular, they repented themselves of what they had done; and pondering in their Minds, the vastness of the Sea by which they were separated from their own Country, they utterly despair'd of their Safety and Preservation. Agathocles therefore minding as soon as possibly he could, to cure this Pusilanimity in his Soldiers, led his Army to the great City (as it's call'd) within the Dominion of the Carthaginians. The whole Country through which they march'd, was beautify'd with Gardens, Planted with all sorts of Fruit-Trees, and Sluces, and Canals were cut all along for the convenience of Water, by which that whole Tract was every where abundantly water'd. This part of the Country was likewise full of Towns and Villages, adorn'd with stately Houses, whose Roofs were curiously wrought all setting forth the Wealth and Riches of their Owners. The Houses were full of all manner of Provision of every thing that was needful, for the Inhabitants (through a long Peace) had stor'd up their Treasures in great plenty and abundance. The Country is planted partly with Vines, and partly with Olive-Trees, and furnish'd likewise with many other Fruit-Trees: In another part, the Fields are pastur'd with Flocks of Sheep, and Herds of Cows and Oxen; and in the neighbouring Fens run great numbers of breeding Mares. And what shall I say more? Those places abounded with plenty of all things for the use of Man, and the rather for that they were the Possessions of the Nobility of Carthage, who laid out much of their Estates and Wealth with more then ordinary Curiosity to improve them for their Delight and Pleasure; so that the fertility and sweetness of the Country, was the admiration of the Sicilians, and rouz'd up their drooping Spirits in the view they had of those Rewards, and rich Returns, which they judg'd were well worthy the hazards to be run by the Conquerors to obtain them. Agathocles therefore perceiving that his Soldiers were now recover'd out of their dumps, and former melancholy apprehensions, makes a suddain Assault upon the Walls of the City; which being so surprizing and unexpected, and the Citizens unskilful in their Arms, after a short resistance he took the City by Storm; and gave the plunder of the Town to the Soldiers, which both encourag'd 'em and enrich'd 'em at once. Thence he forthwith mov'd with his Army to Tunis, and gain'd that City, which is Two thousand Furlongs from Carthage. The Soldiers would willingly have Garison'd these Two Cities, having Stor'd and laid up in them the Plunder they had got. But Agathocles weighing what was most expedient in his present circumstances; therefore after he had convinc'd the Soldiers, that it was by no means convenient to leave any place to fly to for shelter, till they had conquer'd the Enemy by down-right blows, he raz'd the Citys to the ground, and incamp'd in the open Field. In the mean time the Carthaginians that lay near to the Sicilians Fleet, at first greatly rejoyc'd when they saw their Ships all in a Flame, supposing they were constrain'd to burn their Navy out of fear of their Enemies: But after they perceiv'd them to march forward up into the Country with their whole Army, and imagining what they intended to do, they then concluded, that the burning of the Ships was a design'd mischief to them: Whereupon they spread Leathern Hides upon the Fore-Castles of all their Ships, which is their constant manner when ever any misfortune seems to threaten the Carthaginian Common-wealth; Moreover, they took into their own Gallies the Iron Beaks out of Agathocles's Ships, and sent Expresses to Carthage
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