Page 664 Advice and Counsel) was of another Opinion, and prevail'd with them all to hold out till they had certain Intelligence of the Truth. Whereupon, Amilcar coming to understand the resolution of the Townsmen, prepar'd all his Engines with a full Resolution to batter down the Walls
Agathocles, after the late Battel, built two Ships of Thirty Oares a piece; and in one of them put on board the best of his Rowers, with Nearchus, one of the most faithful Friends he then had with him, and sent them away to Syracuse, to give an account of his Victory. Having therefore the Wind fair, the Fifth day (in the Night) they arriv'd in the Harbour of Syracuse, and at break of Day, Crown'd with Garlands and singing the Pean all along as they sail'd, they made for the City; which being perceived by the Carthaginian Guard-Ships, they pursu'd them with all their might, and the other being not far before them, there was great striving among the Rowers on both sides. While the Sea-men were thus contending, both Besiegers and Besieg'd understanding the Matter, ran down to the Port, and each fearful of the event, call'd out and encourag'd every one their own Men. And now the Ship was upon the point of falling into the hands of the Pursuers, upon which the Barbarians gave a shout: but the Citizens not being able otherwise to assist, pray'd to their Gods for the Preservation of their Men on board. The Pursuers being now ready to board her not far from Land, she got within a Darts cast of the Shore, and by the help of the Syracusians, who came in to her relief, narrowly escap'd the Danger. Amilcar perceiving that the Citizens, (upon the account of the late Contest, and the sudden arrival of the Intelligence expected) were all flock'd down to the Port; and thereupon conceiving part of the Walls were left Naked, order'd the stoutest of his Soldiers to rear up Scaling-Ladders; who finding there no Guards, mounted the Walls without being discern'd; and had almost possess'd themselves of an entire Part lying between two Towers, when they that us'd to go the Round, came just then to the Place, and so discover'd them. Upon which, they fell to it, and the Citizens came flocking in, before any Relief could be brought to the Assailants, so that some were kill'd outright, and others were thrown down Headlong over the Walls. At which Amilcar was so mortify'd, that he drew off his Forces from the City, and sent away Five thousand Men to the Relief of Carthage.
While these things were in action in Sicily, Agathocles being now Master of the Field, took some Forts and Castles near to Carthage by Storm; and other Cities, some out Fear, and some through hatred of the Carthaginians, voluntarily surrender'd themselves. Having fortify'd his Camp near Tunis, he left there a sufficient Guard, and mov'd towards the Towns lying upon the Sea-Coasts: And first he took by Storm the New City, but dealt very favourably with the Inhabitants: Thence he march'd to Adrymetes, and besieg'd it, and Confederated with Elymas King of Lybia. News whereof being brought to the Carthaginians, they bent all their Arms against Tunis; and possessed themselves of Agathocles his Camp; and with their Battering Rams press'd upon the City with continual Assaults. Agathocles receiving Intelligence of the slaughter of his Men, leaving the greatest part of his Army to carry on the Siege, and taking with him his Life-guard, and a small Body of Men, secretly march'd up to the Top of a Mountain, whence he might view both the Country of the Adrymetines, and likewise the Carthaginians that besieg'd Tunis. In the Night he commanded his Soldiers to kindle Fires, and with them to take up a large Tract of Ground, to the end the Carthaginians might think he was making towards them with a strong Army, and that the Besieg'd might conclude, that fresh Forces in vast numbers were come up to him for his Assistance; both being deceiv'd by this Stratagem were suddenly caught in the Snare; for they who besieg'd Tunis, fled, and left their Engines behind them; and the Adrymetines surpriz'd with Fear surrender'd the City, which was gain'd, upon certain Terms agreed upon, but Thapsus he afterwards took by Storm: And several other Cities he took in this Tract, some by Force, and others upon Conditions. Having at length gain'd in the whole above Two hundred Towns and Cities, he resolv'd upon an Expedition into the Higher Libya: To that end he rais'd his Camp, and march'd on many days Journey.
Then the Carthaginians march'd out with those Forces (besides others) which were sent out of Sicily, and besieg'd Tunis a second time, and recover'd a great part of the Country that was then in the Hands of the Enemy. When Couriers came from Tunis, and gave an account what the Carthaginians had done, Agathocles forthwith return'd: Being come within Two hundred Furlongs of the Enemy, he Encamp'd, and commanded his Soldiers not to kindle any Fires: Then making a sudden March in the Night, about spring of Day he fell upon those as were Wasting and Harrassing the Country, and disorderly roving up and down, and kill'd above Two thousand of them, and took many Prisoners, which was a great Step to his many Successes afterwards: For the Carthaginians being reinforc'd by their
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.