Page 663 But after that they grew wealthy, and their Revenues very great, they began to flack in in their Devotion, and sent thither but a small pittance to their God. Being therefore brought to repentance by this remarkable Slaughter, they remembred all the Gods in Tyre; they sent likewise out of their Temples to the Images of Golden Shrines in order to Supplications, supposing they should prevail the more in averting the Anger of the God by sending sacred gifts to pacifie him. They gave just cause likewise to their God Saturn to be their Enemy, for that in former times they us'd to sacrifice to this god the sons of the most eminent persons, but of later times they secretly bought and bred up Children for that purpose. And upon strict search made, there were found amongst them that were to be sacrific'd some Children that were chang'd and put in the place and room of others. Weighing these things in their Minds, and now seeing that the Enemy lay before their Walls, they were seiz'd with such a pang of Superstition, as if they had utterly forsaken the Religion of their Fathers. That they might therefore without delay reform what what was amiss, they offer'd as a publick sacrifice Two hundred of the Sons of the Nobility; and no fewer than Three hundred more (that were liable to censure) voluntarily offered up themselves; for among the Carthaginians there was a Brazen Statue of Saturn putting forth the Palms of his Hands so bending towards the Earth, as that the Boy that was laid upon them in order to be sacrific'd, should slip off and so fall down headlong into a deep fiery Furnace. Hence it's probable that Euripides took what he fabulously relates concerning the sacrifice in Taurus, where he introduces Iphigenia asking Orestes this Question—
The ancient Fable likewise that is common among the Grecians, that Saturn devour'd his own Children, seems to be confirm'd by this Law among the Carthaginians.
But after this change of affairs in Africa the Carthaginians sent to Amilcar into Sicily to hasten over to their assistance with all speed, and order'd that all the Beaks of Agathocles his Ships should be carri'd to him. When the Messengers arriv'd, he commanded them not to say any thing of the Routing of their Forces, but to noise it abroad among the Soldiers, that Agathocles his Fleet and Land Army were both utterly destroy'd. And he himself sent away some (that were newly come from Carthage) to Syracuse, together with the Iron Beaks, to demand the delivery up of the City, and to tell them that all their Forces were cut off by the Carthaginians, and their whole Navy burnt; and that if they would not believe them, the Beaks of their Vessels (there shew'd) were a sufficient evidence of the truth of what they related. when they that were in the City heard of this overthrow of Agathocles, many believ'd it: But the leading men of the City, minding to keep private a matter that was yet uncertain, and to prevent Tumults, forthwith dismist the Messengers, and sent them away. They cast out of the City likewise the Kindred and friends of the Exiles, and Eight thousand at least of others that seem'd to be uneasie under the Government; whereupon when so great a Number on a suddain were forc'd to leave the place of their Birth, the City was full of Confusion, Lamentation and crying of Women running up and down in the Streets; neither was there any House at this time that had not its share of weeping and mourning. For they who favour'd the Tyrant bewail'd the Ruin of Agathocles, and the loss of their Sons; others wept for those of their friends who they suppos'd were all cut off in Africa; others griev'd and mourn'd for them that were compell'd to forsake their Houses, and the Gods of their Fore-fathers; and who were neither suffer'd to stay, nor could get well out of the City by reason of the Siege. And besides these most grievous and bitter sufferings (which they labour'd under) they were forc't to fly with their Wives, and drag along with them their little young Children; But Amilcar courteously receiv'd and secur'd the Exiles, and march'd to Syracuse with his Army, as if he should forthwith possess himself of the City, upon the account of the place being destitute of Inhabitants, and the misery those were in (as he heard) who were left behind: However he sent Messengers before, and promis'd pardon to Antandrus, and all those that sided with him if he would deliver up the City into his hands. Upon which there was a Council of War call'd of those Captains that were in the greatest Authority; where after many bandings and debates pro and con, Antander (who was naturally a poor spirited Man, and of a weak head, and much below the courage and resolution of his Brother) was for delivering up of the Town: But Eurymnon the Etolian (whom Agathocles had left to assist his Brother in
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.