Page 755 therefore Pyrrhus himself, out of a Religious Reverence to the Goddess, endeavour'd to pacify her, and restor'd every penny of the Money before he left the Country. But the Tribunes before mentioned pretending to abhorr the Sacrilege, sided with the Locrians, and rebuking Pleminius for his Crime, threatned severely to punish him. The Quarrel growing hotter and hotter, it came at length to blows, and the Tribunes threw Pliminius upon the ground, and bit off his Ears and Nose, and slic'd off both his Lips; but afterwards Pliminius caus'd the Tribunes to be seiz'd, and whipp'd them to death with Rods. In the mean time the Senate and People of Rome, through a Religious awe of the Gods, were in great concern about this Sacrilegious Act; and upon this occasion the Enemies of Publius Scipio having got an opportunity to cast Durt upon him, accus'd him as if he had been the Adviser of Pliminius, and that he had done all by his Order and Command. Whereupon by a Decree of the Senate, two Tribunes of the People and an Aedilis were sent into Sicily with Orders to bring Scipio forthwith to Rome, if they found that the Sacrilege was committed by his Command or Connivance; but if they could not discover any such thing, that then they should suffer him to Transport the Forces over into Africa. While they were upon their Journey Scipio sent for Pliminius and cast him into Goal; and every day with great care and diligence exercis'd the Soldiers; at which the Tribunes of the People did so admire, that they highly commended him. But Pliminius being brought bound to Rome, the Senate forthwith committed him to prison, and a short time after he dy'd there in custody. His Goods were all Devoted to Proserpina, and what they fell short to make satisfaction, was decreed by the Senate to be supply'd out of the publick Treasury, and that it should be death for any Soldier not to restore what Goods or Money soever he had in his hand, that were taken out of the Treasury of Proserpina's Temple, and further decreed that the Locrians should be free.
15. Scipio when he saw Syphax among other prisoners led up to him in Chains, at the first fell a weeping, to consider the former Royal State and Dignity of the Person; resolving therefore to use his fortunate success with moderation and humanity, Commanded that Syphax should be freed from his Chains, and gave up his Tent to him for the reception of him and his Royal Family; and keeping him as a prisoner (yet with all the liberty imaginable) often courteously convers'd with him, and entertain'd him at his Table.
16. Sophonisba (who was first the Wife of Masinissa, and afterwards of Syphax, but being taken prisoner was gain'd again by Masinissa) was a Woman of an admirable Beauty, and by her cunning tricks and charming devices could obtain whatever she pleas'd: and being confederated with the Carthaginians her Countrymen, ply'd her Husband every day to fall off from the Romans; which when Syphax was assur'd of, he acquainted Scipio with the design, and caution'd him to have a special care of that Woman; all which being confirm'd likewise by Laelius, Scipio commanded the Lady to be brought to him, which Masinissa refusing, he threatned him severely; at which Masinissa was so concern'd, that he order'd that some should be sent from Scipio to fetch her away: but in the mean time he went into his Tent, and forc'd Sophonisba to drink off a Cup of Poison.
17. Scipio through his Clemency and Compassion towards all the prisoners he took, for ever after was secure of Masinissa as a faithful and constant Confederate.
18. Hannibal call'd together his Confederates, and told them that he must of necessity pass over into Africa, and that he had provided shipping for all those that were willing to go along with him; Some agreed to the thing; but as to those that chose rather to continue in Italy, he compass'd round with his Army, and gave his Soldiers liberty to pick out as many of them as they pleas'd, to be their Captives; and the rest, to the number of Twenty thousand Foot, and Three thousand Horse he put to the Sword, together with a vast number of Cattle.
19 Four thousand Horse of those that went over to Masinissa after the Rout of Syphax, deserted him and came in to Hannibal: But he enrag'd at them, encompass'd them round with his Army, and shot them all to death with Darts and Arrows, and divided their Horses amongst his Soldiers.
20. Scipio sent Ambassadors to Carthage, but the common People were on the point to have knock'd them all on the head: But the sober Men of the City preserv'd them from that imminent danger, and got 'em a Ship-board, in order to send them back to Scipio's Camp: But those that were popular, and sided with the People in Carthage, order'd the Master of the Vessel, that when the Ship wherein the Ambassadors were, began to Sail, he should throw all over-board, which he perform'd accordingly.
However, the Ambassadors swam to land and got safe to Scipio; But the Gods within a short time after, by a remarkable Instance; evidenc'd their Power to punish those that
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.