Diodorus Siculus

FRAGMENTS - The Library of History



Page 720 the General of the Celtae, and his Brother, he put most of them to the Sword, amongst whom were the Two Brothers, and several other Honourable Persons: And he receiv'd into his own Army 3000 of them that were prisoners. But Endort •s got again together 50000 Men, but fled before he engag'd, and betook himself to an high Hill: where being beset and blockt up by Amilcar, he fled away again in the night, and most of his Army were cut off. Indortes himself at length fell into the Enemies hands, and Amilcar put out his Eies, and then with many Scoffs and Scorns Crucify'd him. But he discharg'd above 10000 other prisoners, and took in many Cities, some by f ir Promises and persuasions: and others by force. Then Asdrubal the Son of Amilcar being sent by his Father-in-law to Carthage against the Numidians (who had rebell'd against the Carthaginians) kill'd 8000, and took 2000 prisoners: The rest were subdu'd and brought under Tribute. In the mean time Amilcar having gain'd many Cities in Spain, built a very large Town, which from its situation he call'd Acra Leuca; having afterwards besieg'd the City Helice, he sent away the greatest part of his Army, and Elephants into their Winter Quarters to the City he had lately built, and continu'd with the rest at the Siege. But Orisso the King (under pretence of coming in as a Friend to join with Amilcar) sucour'd the Besieg'd, and forc'd Amilcar to fly and raise his Siege; his Sons and Friends he order'd for their safety, to take one way by themselves, and he himself pass'd another, and being hotly pursu'd by the King, in taking a great River he was forc'd off his Horse by the violence of the Stream, and so drowned: But Hanniball and Asdruball his Sons got safe to Acra Leuca, or the White Citadell,——And tho' Amilcar dy'd many Ages before our time, yet History has left an Epitaph and Commemoration of his due praise. But Asdrubal his Son-in-law as soon as he heard of his Fatherin law's death, forthwith marched away, and came to Acra with above 100 Elephants. Being chosen General by the Army, and the Carthaginians, he pickt out 50000 Foot of old experienc'd Soldiers, 6000 Horse, and 200 Elephants. In the first place he ruin'd and broke in pieces King Orisso, then he put to the Sword all that were the occasion of Amilcar's flight, and got possession of Twelve Cities: and at length all the Cities of Spain. And having now celebrated a new Marriage, and taken the Daughter of the King of Spain to Wife, he was invested with full Power in the Government, by all the Spaniards. He afterwards built a City by the Sea-side which he call'd Carthage, and after this another, and aspir'd to exceed Amilcar in Power and Greatness. He had in his Army 60000 Foot, 8000 Horse, and 200 Elephants. But at length he was assassinated by one of his own Houshold, having been General Nine Years.

3. The Celtae with the Gauls entring into a War against the Romans, rais'd an Army of 200000 Men; and in the First Battle were victorious; and likewise in the Second, wherein one of the Roman Consuls were kill'd: tho' the Romans had an Army of 70000 Foot and 7000 Horse. However, tho' they were worsted in the Two First Battles, yet in the Third they gain'd a signal Victory, killing 40000 upon the place, and taking the rest prisoners—So that the greatest of their Kings cut his own Throat: but the other was taken alive. After this brave Exploit, Aemilius being made Consul, wasted the Country of the Gauls and Celtae, and took in many Cities and Castles, and filled the City of Rome with Spoils.

4. Hiero King of Syracuse supply'd the Romans with Corn in the Celtick War, and was paid for it when the War was ended.

5. The Army wanting a General after Asdrubal was slain, the Charthaginians unanimously chose Hannibal the Eldest Son of Amilcar to be their General—While the City Seguntum was Besieg'd by Hanniball, the Citizens got together all the Riches in the Temples, and all the Silver and Gold in the Houses, nay, till it came to the Jewels in the Womens Ears, and laid them on an heap, and melted them down, mixing Brass and Lead with the Gold and Silver to make them useless and invaluable: and having so done, they all valiantly made a Sally, and fought it out to the last Man, and all dy'd upon the place, not without a great slaughter first made of their Enemies. The Mothers likewise first kill'd their own Children, and then stifled themselves by the smoak of the Furnaces. And so Hanniball gain'd the Town without any benefit of Plunder: whom when the Romans demanded to be brought to Trial for his breach of the League, and could not prevail, they began the War call'd the Hannibal War.




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