Page 670 freed from their Fears: And because they wanted a General, Quarrels arose between the Barbarians and the Grecians. The Exiles therefore, and the rest of the Greeks, made Dinocrates General over themselves: And the Carthaginians intrusted the supream Command with those that were next in Dignity to the late General At this time, when the Agrigentines perceiv'd that Sicily was now in that Condition, as that it might be easily gain'd, they began to seek after the Sovereign Command of the Island themselves. For they suppos'd, that the Carthaginians were not able to deal with Agathocles in the War; and that Dinocrates, who had none but a company of Fugitives about him, might be easily vanquish'd; and that the Syracusians, who were grievously press'd for want of Provisions, would not so much as attempt to gain the Sovereign Command. And lastly, that which was of greatest weight was, That inasmuch as they took up Arms to free all the Greek Cities, they concluded, that all would readily concur, both upon the account of the Hatred they bore against the Barbarians, and the Natural Love and Regard they all had to the Laws of their own Country. They created therefore Xenodicus General, and sent him forth to the War with a considerable Army, who forthwith makes to Gela, and by some of his own Friends, was in the Night let into the City; and so gain'd both the Town more Forces, and a great deal of Money, at one and the same time. The Geloans having thus recover'd their Liberty, join'd in the War with the whole Strength and Power of the City, and most readily put to their helping Hands for the restoring all the Cities to their ancient Laws.
This Attempt of the Agrigentines being nois'd abroad throughout the whole Island, a sudden itch of Liberty spread over all the Cities: And first, the Enneans sent Agents, and deliver'd up their City to the Agrigentines, who freeing this City, march'd on to Erbessus, a Garison of the Carthaginians: Here was a sharp Engagement; but the Citizens coming in to the Assistance of the Agrigentines, the Garison was expuls'd, and many of the Barbarians kill'd, and Five hundred laid down their Arms and gave up themselves.
While the Agrigentines were busi'd in these Affairs, some of Agathocles his Soldiers in Syracuse having taken Echetla, wasted and harrass'd the Country of the Leontines and Camareans. This Calamity grievously afflicted the Cities, because the Country was laid wast, and all the Corn and Fruits destroy'd: Whereupon Xenodicus the General march'd into those Parts, and drave the Enemy out of the Country of the Leontines and Camarenians, and then retaking Echetla, which was a very strong Fort, he restor'd the Democratical Government to the City, and struck a Terror into the Syracusians. To conclude, he march'd up and down to the several Garisons and Cities, and freed them from the Carthaginian Government.
In the mean time, the Syracusians being in great Straits and Perplexity for want of Provision, when they understood that some Ships were coming with Corn, fitted out Twenty Gallies; and understanding that the Barbarians kept but a slight Guard where they lay, they slipt by undiscern'd, and got as far as to the Megareans, and there waited for the Merchants. But Thirty Carthaginian Gallies making up to them, they prepar'd themselves at first to fight: But being presently driven ashore, they left their Ships and swam out, and so escap'd to a certain Temple of Juno, upon which there was a sharp Dispute about the Ships; the Carthaginians threw in Grappling-Irons, and hal'd them with Force off from the Land, and so took Ten of them; the rest were sav'd by some Help that came in out of the City. And this was the Condition of Sicily at that time.
In Africa, after that they who brought the Head of Amilcar were arriv'd there; Agathocles, as soon as he had receiv'd it, rid up so near to the Enemy's Camp as that his Voice might be heard, and shewing them the Head, told them how all their Forces in Sicily were destroy'd, which presently caus'd most bitter Mourning and Lamentation among the Carthaginians, who bowed down themselves in Adoration of the Head of their King, (according to the Custom of their Country,) and looking upon his Death to be their own Calamity, had no Hearts further to prosecute the War. Agathocles on the other side, (lifted up with his Successes in Africa, and with such Confluence of Prosperity,) bore himself high in mighty Hopes and Expectations for the future, as if he had been now out of the reach of all Dangers. But Fortune did not think it fit to suffer Things to run on in the same course of Prosperity, but brought him under most imminent Hazards and Difficulties from his own Soldiers. For one Lysiscus, one of his Colonels, being invited by Agathocles to Supper, when he was heated with Wine, and in his Cups fell a railing against him with most bitter Imprecations. But 〈◊〉 , because he had a great Esteem for the Man upon the account of his Valour, pass'd by all with a left: But Archagathus his Son on the contrary being enrag'd at him, •• torted upon him with bitter Reproaches and Threats. When Supper was ended, and every one was return'd to his Tent, Lysiscus
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.