Page 715 the Mamertines ready to deliver up their City he diswaded them, and making a League with them, put 40 Soldiers more into the City. Thus the Mamertines (even now in despair by reason of their great slaughter) were by this means secur'd from present danger. As for Hiero (being thus cheated by the Carthaginian General, and so discourag'd from besieging of Messina) he return'd to Syracuse after his many Successes. Afterwards when the Carthaginians as well as Hiero had thus lost Messina, they had an interview, and upon second thoughts entred into a Confederacy, to besiege the City with their joint Forces.
Fragm. 1. SIcily is one of the bravest Islands in the World, conducing much by its power to the gaining and increase of a larger Dominion.
2. Hanno the Son of Hannibal, as soon as he arriv'd in Sicily, Rendezvouz'd his Forces at Lilibeum, and thence March'd as far as Selinunte, where he left his Army Encamp'd near the City; but he himself went forward to Agrigentum, and fortifi'd the Citadel. Then he brought over the People to the Interest of the Carthaginians, and so engag'd them to be their Confederates. After he return'd to his Camp, Ambassadors came to him from Hiero, to consult concerning the publick Good of Sicily: for they had made a League and Agreement one with another to make War upon the Romans, if they would not forthwith withdraw all their Forces out of Sicily. In execution of which they both March'd with their Armies to Messina: Where Hiero Encamp'd in the Hill call'd Chalchidicus: The Carthaginians lay with theirs near the * Monuments, and possess'd themselves of the Arsenal call'd Pelotias, and both presently laid close Siege to Messina. As soon as the News was brought to Rome, they sent away Appias Cladius, one of the Consuls, with a great Army, who came to Rhegium with all speed; and from thence sent Ambassadors to Hiero and the Carthaginians to raise their Siege, and promis'd in a general Assembly not to make any Incursion into the Territories of Hiero. To which Hiero answer'd that the Mamertines for their razing and ruining of Gela and Camarina, and their cruelty and wickedness in getting the possession of Messina were most justly Besieg'd: And that it did not become the Romans who are so cry'd up in every place for their Justice and Faithfulness, to protect such bloody Villains, who had contemptuously broken all the Tyes and Bonds of Faith and Truth amongst Men. And if notwithstanding, they begin a War in the defence of such notoriously wicked Men, it will be evident and apparent to all Man-kind, That succour to them that are in destress, is but a meer pretence to cover their Covetousness, whereas in truth their Aim is to gain Sicily.
3. The Romans at first bore four square shields, but afterwards, when they observ'd the Tyrrheneans to carry brazen shields, they got the like, and Conquer'd them.
4. When the Consul Landed at Messina; Hiero suspecting that the Carthaginians had made way for him, fled himself to Syracuse. The Carthaginians being at length subdu'd, the Consul besieg'd Aegista, and after the loss of a great number of his Men return'd to Messina.
5. When both Consuls arriv'd in Sicily, they besieg'd the City Adranita, and took it by storm. And while they were besieging the * Centorippians, and lay Encamp'd at the brazen Halls or Palaces; first Ambassadors came from them of Laessina: Afterwards other Cities that were terrify'd with the Roman Armies, sent Ambassadors for terms of Peace, with promise to deliver up all their Towns into the hands of the Romans to the number of 67. From all which places they March'd to Syracuse to besiege Hiero, who seeing the uneasiness of the Syracusians at this preparation against them, sent Ambassadors to the Consuls to Negotiate for Peace. Who readily agreed to the Conditions, designing chiefly the War against the Carthaginians. A Peace therefore was concluded for 14 Years: And the Romans were to receive 140000 * Drachmas. And after he had releas'd all the Prisoners to them, they agreed that Syracuse and all the Cities under his Jurisdiction, viz. Aera, Leontinum, Megara, Aelora, Neatina, and Tauromenum should remain in the hands of Hiero In the mean time Hannibal was come as far as Xiphonia to the Aid of the King; but hearing what was done, March'd back.
6. The Romans after they had besieg'd the Towns call'd Adrones, and Macella for a long time together, at length rais'd their Sieges without effecting any thing.
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.