Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XX - The Library of History



Page 702 who fiercely and roughly answer'd, That he would own no Peace that should be made with him, unless Cassander would deliver up all into his hands. At which Answer he was greatly terrify'd; and sent for Lysimachus out of Thrace, to venture all in a Common Lot both together: For ever in his greatest Straits his manner was to have recourse to him for Relief, both upon the account of his Valour, and for that his Kingdom border'd upon Macedonia. These two Kings therefore (consulting together how to manage their Affairs to the best Advantage of them both) sent Ambassadors to Ptolemy King of Aegypt, and to Seleucus Prince of the Higher Provinces, giving them an account of the proud Answer of Antigonus; telling them, That they were all in equal Danger by this War; for if Antigonus gain'd Macedonia, he would presently swallow up the rest; and that he had upon several occasions given a clear Discovery of his Covetousness and Ambition; and that he would have none to be Sharers with him in any Part of the Empire; and therefore that it was very fit and expedient, that they should all join together against him.

Ptolemy and Seleucus (judging what was said to be certainly true) readily came into the League, and rais'd numerous Forces to be assistant in the War. However, Cassander judged it not prudent to suffer the Enemy first to break in upon him, but that it was rather for his Advantage to be before-hand with them, and fall first upon them: To that end he deliver'd part of the Army to Lysimachus, and sent a General along with them; and he himself march'd with the rest into Thessaly, to fight with Demetrius and the other Grecians.

Lysimachus with his Army pass'd over out of Europe into Asia, and set free the Inhabitants of Lampsacus and Paros, who had sided with him upon their own accord: But taking Sigaeum by Assault, he put a Garison into it; and then committed Six thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse to the Charge of Prepelaus, and sent him to take in the Cities in Aeolia and Ionia: But he himself in the first place design'd to besiege Abydos, and carry'd along with him Darts, Battering Rams, and other Engines for that purpose. But a great number of Soldiers being sent by Sea from Demetrius for the defence of the City, he left off his Design; and having taken in Hellespont and Phrygia, he went on and besieg'd the City Synada, where the King's Magazine lay, and at the same time drew over Docimus, a Commander of Antigonus his Party, to stand for the Common Cause; and by his help took both Synada and other Forts where the King's Treasures were laid up.

In the mean time, Prepelaus, who was sent to make War upon Aeolia and Ionia, by the way took Adramittium, and besieg'd Ephesus; and so terrify'd the Inhabitants, that they submitted; and finding there the Hostages which the Rhodians had given, he sent them all home again to their Friends, and did no hurt to any of the Ephesians in their Persons; but set on fire all the Ships which he found in their Harbour, because the Enemy Commanded as yet all at Sea, and for that the Issue of the War was hitherto uncertain. Afterthis, he join'd to him the Teians and Coplohonians. But as for Erythrae and Clazomene, they had Succour sent unto them by Sea, and therefore he could not take them; but having wasted their Territories, he departed and went for Sardis; and there he drew over by fair Words Phoenix and Docimus, two of Antigonus his Captains, and took the City it self, all but the Castle into his Protection. As for the Castle, Philippus (a Friend of Antigonus's) kept, and would not betray the Trust which he had repos'd in him. Antigonus was at that time wholly taken up in making Sports and Feasts at Antigonia, and had proclaim'd great Prizes for such as would put in for them, and huge Wages to all cunning Artificers that could be gotten.

But when he heard how Lysimachus was come into Asia, and by what Multitudes his Soldiers revolted to him, he brake off his Sports, and yet disburs'd among the Wrestlers and Artificers no less than Two hundred Talents; and then taking his Army with him, march'd away out of Syria, and by long Journies hastned to meet the Enemy. As soon as he came to Tarsus in Cilicia, he there, out of the Monies which he took with him out of the City of Quindi, gave his Army Three Months Pay before-hand; and besides this, brought Three thousand Talents along with him, to the end he might not be to seek for Money, if need should be. Then passing the Taurus, he hasted into Cappadoci, and reduc'd such as in the Upper Phrygia and Lacaonia had revolted from him; and so these serv'd him in the Wars as they did before.

Then Lysimachus hearing of the Enemy's approach, fell to consult with his Council in this imminent Danger, what was fittest to be done; and their Advice was, by no means to hazard a Battel till Seleucus came down from the Upper Provinces; but to possess himself of the surest Places, and to Intrench himself in the strongest manner that possibly he could, with Ramparts, Palissadoes, and Stakes, and there expect the coming of the Enemy. Lysimachus having heard this Advice, put it seriously in Execution: And Antigonus, on the other side, as soon as he came near his Camp, drew out in Battalia, and provok'd 〈…〉 to fight;


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