Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XX - The Library of History



Page 694 low without distinction, resolutely to put to their helping hands for the common preservation and security of the whole City. Whereupon, many readily came in, and mann'd three of their strongest Vessels with the best of their Men, giving them Orders to do the utmost they could with the Beaks of their Ships to sink the Enemies Vessels that carry'd their Engines: Those thus sent out (though they were ply'd with showers of Darts and Arrows) yet by the violence of their Charge broke in pieces the Rampart that was fenc'd with 〈◊〉 , and so shatter'd their Ships with one stroke after another, that they fill'd them with Water, and dismounted two of their Engines; Whereupon the Demetrians towing back the Third with Cables, the Rhodians encourag'd by their Success, prest on still with more Boldness than Prudence; and therefore being pierc'd and shatter'd by the Beaks of many great Ships that surrounded them, Execestus the Admiral, and the Captain of the Gallies, and some others (being ill wounded) were taken prisoners; the rest by 〈…〉 ing got to their own Men; only one Ship was taken by the Demetrians, and the rest escap'd the danger. After this conflict, Demetrius made another Engine, which was thrice as big as the former, both in height and breadth. And now being just upon 〈…〉 ing into Port, arose a violent South Wind, which burst out of a Cloud on the suddain, and sun the Ships which were advancing, and overturn'd the Engine. Upon which, the R 〈…〉 taking the advantage of the present opportunity, at the very nick of time flung op n their Gates, and made a Sally upon them that enter'd the Port: upon which there was a sharp Dispute for a long time together, and being that Demetrians could not come up to the assistance of his Men, by reason of the Storm, the Rhodians still fell upon 'em with fresh Parties one after another, so that the Demetrians, to the number of Four hundred, were forc'd to throw down their Arms and submit. After this Victory gain'd by the Rhodians, there arriv'd to their aid and assistance a Hundred and fifty G 〈…〉, and Five hundred Men sent by Ptolemy, amongst whom were some Rhodians that were Soldiers under the King's Pay. And thus stood matters in the Siege at Rhodes at that time.

In S 〈…〉 〈◊〉 not being able to compose Matters with Dinocrates and the Exiles, march'd one with what Forces he had against them, looking upon it absolutely necessary to hazard his Person, and resolutely to fight it out, and gain all or lose all: He had not with him above Five thousand Foot and Eight hundred Horse.

Dinocrates with the Exiles seeing the Enemy to come boldly on, went out with as much earnestness and resolution to fight them, for that he was far superior to the Agathocleans in number; being above Five and twenty thousand Foot, and Three thousand Horse. Both Armies fate down one against another at a place call'd Gorgius: At length they drew up in Battalia, and fell to it; and the Fight was very sharp for a while, by reason of the heat and resolution of both parties: But after a little time some deserted Dinocrates (to the number of Two thousand,) and went over to the Tyrant, which was the ruine of the Exiles. For the Agathocleans were thereupon much more encourag'd and hearten'd; but those with Dinocrates were as much amaz'd and dejected, and thinking there were many more went off than did, they all took to their heels. Agathocles pursu'd them a little way, but then call'd off his Men from the Slaughter; and sent to the broken Troops proposals, that all differences being at length laid aside, every one should have free liberty to return into their own Country: For they found by experience, that they were never able to overcome him by force of Arms, being even now routed when they had an Army far Superior to his in number: The Horse indeed all escap'd to the Castle of Ambicas; and some of the Foot the Night following got away: The greatest part possess'd themselves of a Hill, but despairing to prevail by force of Arms, (and desirous to return to their Kindred, Friends, Estates and Country,) made Peace with Agathocles. Having therefore plighted his Faith to them, and thereupon all of them being come down from the Hill (which was a natural Fortification) he first disarm'd them, then hemm'd them in with his Forces, and put them every Man to the Sword, to the number of Seven thousand (as Timaeus says,) but as others have writ, Four thousand. For this Tyrant never in the least valu'd either his Word or Oath, and increas'd his Power not so much by the greatness of his Forces, as by the weakness of his Subjects, fearing more his Confederates than his Enemies. Having thus cut off his Enemy's Army, he receiv'd the rest of the Exiles into his Protection, and receiving Dinocrates into Grace and Favour, made him General of part of the Army, and intrusted him ever after in his most weighty Affairs. At which every Man may justly wonder, that he who was so jealous and suspicious of every one, as that he would never confide in any, should to the last maintain a firm friendship only with Dinocrates, who having thus betray'd his Confederates, seiz'd upon Pasiphilus at Gela, and there murther'd him, and deliver'd up all the


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