Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XX - The Library of History



Page 667 within a Neck of Land, near the Lough of Meotis, was forc'd to render himself upon Conditions, which were to give up all his Army and depart the Kingdom.

Nevertheless, when Prytanis return'd to Pantacapeum, which is the Place where the Kings of Bosphorus keep the standing Court, he there endeavour'd again to recover his Kingdom; but being foil'd there again, he fled to a Place call'd the Gardens, and was there slain.

Eumelus, after the Death of his Brother, to confirm himself in the Kingdom, put to Death all the Friends, Wives and Children of both his Brothers, Satyrus and Prytanis; only Parisades, Satyrus his Son, being but a very Youth, escap'd his Hands; for by the benefit of a swift Horse he got away out of the City to Agarus King of the Scythians. But when Eumelus saw that the People repin'd at the loss of their Friends whom he had murder'd, he call'd them all together, and there excus'd himself, and restor'd to them their ancient form of Government, and to the Citizens of Pantacapeum their former Immunities, and promis'd to discharge them of all kind of Tributes, sparing for no fair words which might reconcile the Hearts of the People to him; by which means, having regain'd their good Opinions, he held a just and moderate Hand over them, and grew afterwards into no small admiration for all kind of Virtue among them. For he omitted not to oblige the Byzantians and Sinopians, and the rest of the Grecian Inhabitants of Pontus by all the demonstrations of Kindness imaginable. For when the Collantians were besieg'd by Lysimachus, and were brought to great distress through want of Provision, he entertain'd a Thousand of them who left the Place for want of Bread, and not only granted them a safe Protection, but allotted them Habitations within the City. And divided likewise a Place call'd Psoa, with the Territory thereunto belonging, among them by Lot. And for the Benefit of the Merchants that Traded to Pontus, he made War upon the Barbarous piratical Heniochians, and them of Taurus, with the Acheans, and scowr'd and cleans'd the Seas of them. So that his Name was advanc'd to the Skies, (as the Fruit of his Generosity) not only in his own Kingdom, but almost all the World over, while the Merchants every where publish'd the Greatness and Braveness of his Spirit. Moreover, he much enlarg'd his Dominion, by the addition of a considerable Part of the Barbarians Country bordering upon him, and advanc'd the Fame and Reputation of his Kingdom, above whatever it was before.

In conclusion, he had a Design to have brought under all the neighbouring Nations, and had certainly effected in short time what he had so design'd, if he had not been prevented by Death: For after he had reign'd five Years and as many Months, he ended his days by a sudden and unusual Accident: For returning home out of Scythia, with a great desire to be present at a certain Sacrifice, and making towards his Palace in a Chariot with four Horses, cover'd over with a Canopy; the Horses took a Fright at the Canopy, and violently ran away with him, the Coachman not being able to stop them in their Carreer: Upon which, Eumelus fearing lest he should be born away headlong down some steep Rock, threw himself out, but his Sword entangling in one of the Wheels, he was hurry'd away with the violent Motion of the Chariot, and kill'd forthwith.

It's reported there were some Predictions concerning the Death of Eumelus and his Brother Satyrus, though something Foolish and Vain, yet credited by the Inhabitants. For they say, that the Oracle warn'd Satyrus to be aware of one Musculus, lest he should kill him, and that for that reason he would not suffer any of that name, whether Bond or Free, to abide within his Dominions; and that upon that account he was afraid both of House and Field- Mice, and continually charg'd the Children to kill 'em, and stop up their Holes. At length, when he had done all that possibly he could to avoid his Fate, he was at last kill'd by a Wound in the Muscle of his Arm. And as for Eumelus, that he was charg'd by the Oracle to take heed of a Moving House; and therefore that he durst not go into his House before his Servants had made a diligent Search to see that both the Roof and Foundation were sound. But after that they came to understand that the Canopy plac'd upon the Chariot was the Occasion of his Death, every one concluded that the Prophecy was fulfill'd. But this shall suffice, concerning the Affairs of the Bosphorus.

In Italy the Roman Consuls enter'd the Country of the Samnites with an Army, and routed them in a Battel at Talius. But the routed Party afterwards possessing themselves of an Hill, and the Night drawing on, the Romans retreated to their Camp; but the next day the Fight was renew'd, and great numbers of the Samnites were slain, and above Two thousand and Two hundred were taken Prisoners. The Romans being thus successful, now quietly enjoy'd whatever they had in the open Field, and brought under all the revolting Cities, and plac'd Garisons in Cataracta and Ceraunia, Places they had taken by Assault, and others they reduc'd upon Terms and Conditions.




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