The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian/Book XIII/Chapter V

by Diodorus Siculus

Chapter V

Commotions in Sicily. The Carthaginians invited thither by the Egesteans. A sea-fight at Dardanium between the Athenians and Lacedæmonians. A sedition in Corcyra. The sea-fight at Cyzicum; and at Claros by land, wherein the Athenians were victors.

THE former year ended, Glaucippus was created archon at Athens, and at Rome, Marcus Cornelius and Lucius Furius were again chosen consuls. About this time the Egesteans, (who had confederated with the Athenians), after the war was ended in Sicily against the Syracusans, were in great fear (as they had just cause) lest the Siculi should revenge themselves upon them for the many acts of hostility they committed against them. And therefore, when the Selinuntines made war upon them concerning some boundaries that were in dispute, they submitted, lest the Syracusans should take that occasion to join with the Selinuntines, and so hazard the loss of their country. But when they encroached farther upon their territories than was agreed upon, the Egesteans desired aid of the Carthaginians, and freely offered their city to their protection. When the ambassadors came to Carthage, and had delivered their message to the senate, the Carthaginians were much perplexed what to resolve: the desire of so convenient a city strongly inclined them upon one hand, and the fear of the Syracusans, who had lately destroyed so powerful an army of the Athenians, discouraged them on the other. But at length their ambition to gain the city prevailed. The answer therefore to the ambassadors was that they would send them aid. For the management of this affair, (in case it should break out into a war), they made Hannibal general, who was then, according to their law, chief magistrate of Carthage. He was the grandchild of Amilcar, (who was killed at Himera at the battle fought with Gelon), and son of Gescon, who for killing his father was banished, and lived at Selinus. Hannibal therefore, in regard he bore a natural hatred against the Grecians, and desired by his own valour to wipe off the stain of his family, was very earnest to make himself remarkable by some eminent service for the advantage of his country. Therefore, when he understood that the Selinuntines were not satisfied with that part of land which was yielded to them, he, together with the Egesteans sends ambassadors to the Syracusans, referring the controversy to their determination; in words seeming to propose all things fair and just; but in truth with hopes that if the Selinuntines should decline the arbitration, the Syracusans would cast off their confederacy and league with them. But when the Selinuntines (who sent likewise their ambassadors) refused to stand to their decision, and strongly opposed both the Carthaginian and Egestean ambassadors, the Syracusans were at length resolved both to be at peace with the Carthaginians, and likewise to stand to their league with the Selinuntines. Upon which, when the ambassadors were returned, the Carthaginians sent to the Egesteans five thousand men from Africa, and eight hundred from Campania. These were formerly hired by the Chalcedonians for the assistance of the Athenians against the Syracusans, but after their overthrow, sailing back, they knew not under whom to serve. The Carthaginians therefore bought them all horses, and giving them large pay, placed them in a garrison at Egesta. But the Selinuntines, who were then both rich and populous, valued not the Egesteans one jot.

At the first, with a well-formed army, they spoiled the country next adjoining to them; at length, in regard they far exceeded the Egesteans in number, they despised them, and dispersed themselves, ravaging all over the country. The Egestean commanders watching their opportunity, with the help of the Carthaginians and Campanians, set upon them unawares: and the assault being sudden and unexpected, they easily routed and put them to flight. They killed a thousand, and took all their baggage. After this fight, both sides sent forth ambassadors, the Selinuntines to the Syracusans, and the Egesteans to the Carthaginians for aid; which being readily promised on both sides, this was the beginning of the Carthaginian war. The Carthaginians foreseeing the greatness of the war, committed the whole management thereof to Hannibal, giving him power to raise what forces he thought fit, they themselves in the mean time providing all things necessary. Hannibal all that summer, and the next winter, raises many mercenary soldiers in Spain, and lists a great number of his own citizens; and besides these, raises men in every city throughout all Africa, and equips a fleet, intending the next spring to pass over all the forces into Sicily. In this condition were the affairs of Sicily at that time.

In the mean time Dorieus the Rhodian, admiral of the Italian gallies, as soon as he had quieted the tumult in Rhodes, passed over to the Hellespont, with a purpose to join Mindarus, who then lay at Abydos, getting together from all parts what vessels he could from the Peloponnesian confederates. When Dorieus was come as far as Sigeum of Troas, the Athenians (who then lay at anchor at Sestos) having intelligence of his course, proceeded against him with their whole fleet of seventy-four sail. Dorieus altogether ignorant of the preparations against him, sails on securely: but when he understood what a powerful navy was making towards him, he was in great consternation, and seeing no other means left to escape, fled to Dardanium, where he landed his men: and placing a garrison in the city, he forthwith furnished the place with abundance of arms, and placed his soldiers, some upon the foredecks of his vessels, and others all along upon the shore. But the Athenians making up suddenly upon them, endeavoured to haul off the ships from the shore; and by pressing upon the enemy in so many places at once, they almost wearied them out. Mindarus the Peloponnesian admiral, hearing of the distress Dorieus was in, forthwith set sail from Abydos with his whole fleet, and made for the promontory of Dardanium, with four score and four sail to assist him. The land forces likewise of Pharnabazus were near at hand, to support the Lacedæmonian fleet. When the navies came near one another, both sides prepared for fight. Mindarus commanding a fleet of ninety-seven sail, placed the Syracusans in the left wing, and he himself commanded the right. On the Athenians, Thrasybulus led the right, and Thrasyllus the left wing. The lines of battle being thus disposed on both sides, and the sign given by the admirals, the trumpets all at once sounded a charge. And now the rowers neglecting nothing on their part, and the pilots every where minding with all diligence their several helms, a bloody fight began. For, as often as the ships rowed forwards to pierce each other, so often did the pilots at the same instant of time carefully move and turn the ship, that the strokes only fell upon the beaks of the vessels. The soldiers upon the decks, when at first they saw their broadsides lie open to the assaults of the enemy, began to be discouraged, but then again presently, when they discerned that the charge made upon them by the enemy was eluded by the art of the pilot, their spirits and courage revived. Neither were they less active, who fought upon the decks, for they who were at a distance, plied the enemy continually with darts, so that the place where they fell seemed to be covered over. They who fought at hand, threw their lances one at another, sometimes piercing through the bodies of their opposers, and sometimes the bodies of the pilots themselves. If the ships fell foul upon one another, then they disputed it with their spears: and many times when they came close, they would board one another, and fight it out with their swords. What with the doleful complaints of them that were hastening in to the succour of those that were worsted, and the triumphant shouts of them that were conquerors, every place was full of noise and confusion. The fight continued a long time with great obstinacy on both sides, till on a sudden Alcibiades (who was merely by chance sailing from Samos to the Hellespont with twenty ships) came in view. Before he came near, both sides hoped to have succour from them. And both being confident, they fought with more resolution on both sides. When he drew near (the Lacedæmonians being still in the dark) he presently set up a purple flag from his own ship as a sign to the Athenians, as it was before ordered and agreed: upon which the Lacedæmonians, in a great fright, forthwith fled. But the Athenians, encouraged with this happy success, pursued them with all their might, and presently took ten of their ships; but afterwards a great storm arose, which much obstructed them in the pursuit: for the sea was so raging, that the pilots were not able to manage the helm, nor could they make any impression with the beaks of their ships upon the enemy, because the ships aimed at were born back by the violence of the waves.

At length the Lacedæmonians came safe to shore, and marched to the land army of Pharnabazus: the Athenians in the mean time endeavoured to gain the empty ships, and pressed on with great valour and confidence through many hazards and difficulties; but being kept off by the Persian army, they were forced to return to Sestos. Pharnabazus was the more earnest in opposing the Athenians, to the end he might convince the Lacedæmonians that he had no ill design against them when he sent back the three hundred gallies to Phœnicia: for he told them he did it, because at that time the king of Egypt and Arabia had some design upon Phœnicia. After this issue of the fight at sea, the Athenian fleet arrived at Sestos in the night: and, as soon as it was day, and all their fleet was got together, they set up another trophy near to the former. Mindarus arrived at Abydos about the first watch of the night, and began repairing his shattered and disabled ships. He sends to the Lacedæmonians for supplies both of land and sea forces. For, whilst his fleet was repairing, he determined to join Pharnabazus with his land soldiers, and to besiege the confederate cities of the Athenians in Asia; the Chalcedonians, and almost all the Eubœans had deserted the Athenians, and therefore were now in great fear (in regard they inhabited an island) lest the Athenians, being masters at sea, would invade them; they therefore solicited the Bœotians to assist them to stop up Euripus^[1], by which Eubœa might be annexed to the continent of Bœotia. To which the Bœotians agreed; because by this means Eubœa would be but as the continent to them, and an island to others. Hereupon all the cities set upon the work, and every one strove with all diligence to perfect it. And orders were sent forth not only to the citizens, but all foreigners and strangers, to attend upon the business; and all hands were to be at work, that it might be with all speed effected. The mole began at Chalcis in Eubœa on the one side, and at Aulis in Bœotia on the other: for here it was the narrowest. In these straits the sea was very boisterous and rough, but after this work much more unquiet and raging, the passage being made so very close and narrow: for there was left only room for one ship to pass. There were forts built on both sides upon the extremities of the mole, and wooden bridges made over the current for communication.

Theremenes indeed at the first, being sent thither with thirty sail, endeavoured to hinder the project; but being overpowered with the number of those that defended the people employed, he gave up his design, and made off towards the islands. And purposing to relieve the confederate cities who were under the burden of contributions, he wasted and spoiled the enemy's country, ud returned laden with much spoil and plunder. He went likewise to some of the confederate cities, and imposed upon them great mulcts and fines, because he understood that they were secretly contriving some changes and innovations. Thence he sailed to Paros, and, freeing the people from the oligarchy, he restored the democracy, and exacted a great sum of money from them who set up the oligarchy.

About the same time a cruel and bloody sedition arose in Corcyra, which is said to have been occasioned through private grudges and animosities, as much as any other cause. In no city of that time, were ever such horrid murders of the citizens committed, nor ever was more rage to the destruction of mankind heard of; for once before this, in their quarreling with one another, there were fifteen hundred slaughtered, and all of them the chiefest of the citizens. But these murders following were much more miserable, the sparks of old discords being blown up into a devouring flame: for they in authority at Corcyra, aspiring to an oligarchy, sided with the Lacedæmonians, but the people favoured the Athenians.

These two people contending for the sovereignty, took differant measures: the Lacedæmonians set up an oligarchy in the cities of their confederates; but the Athenians established a democracy every where in theirs.

The Corcyrians therefore discerning that the great men of their city intended to betray them into the hands of the Lacedæmonians, sent to Athens for a garrison for the defence of their city: upon which Conon, the Athenian admiral, sails to Corcyra, and leaves there six hundred Messenians drawn out from Naupactus; anil passing from thence with the fleet, anchored at Juno's temple.

In the mean time, six hundred of them that were for the democracy rushed into the forum, and forthwith set upon them that sided with the Lacedæmonians, casting some into prisons, killing others, and driving above a thousand out of the city. And because they feared the number and strength of the exiles, they manumitted all the slaves, and enfranchised all the strangers. The exiles presently fled into the continent to Epitus, lying over against them. A few days after, some of the people who favoured them that were ejected, entered the forum in arms, and sending for the exiles into the city, laid all at stake, and fought it out. When night parted them, proposals were made for a pacification, which taking effect, they all continued in their country with equal privileges. And this was the issue of the flight of the exiles from Corcyra.

At the same time Archelaus king of Macedonia marched against the Pydneans, who had revolted, and besieged their city with a great army; to whose assistance Theramenes came with some ships; but the siege continuing longer than he expected, he returned to Thrace to Thrasybulus, the admiral of the whole fleet. But Archelaus at length takes Pydna after a strict siege, and removes the inhabitants twenty furlongs farther from the sea.

The winter now near an end, Mindarus rendezvouses his shipping from all quarters; for many came both from Peloponnesus and other confederates. The Athenian generals who lay at Sestos, hearing of the great preparations of their enemies, were in no small fear lest, if they should be set upon by their whole fleet at once, they should lose all their navy; and therefore hauling down those ships they had laid up at Sestos, they sailed round Chersonesus, and anchored at Cardia, and thence sent to Thrace to Thrasybulus and Theramenes, to come to them with the whole fleet with all speed: Alcibiades, likewise, they recalled from Lesbos: so that now the fleet was brought together with that expedition, that the admirals longed to fight and put all to the hazard of a battle.

In the mean time Mindarus, the Lacedæmonian admiral, sails in a direct course for Cyzicum, and there lands all his forces, and besieges the city. Pharnabazus joins him with a great army, and by his assistance takes the place by storm. Upon which the Athenian admirals were resolved to make for Cyzicum; and to that end they advanced with their whole fleet, and sailing round Chersonesus, arrived at Eleuntis. Then they contrived all they could to pass by Abydos in the night, lest the enemy should have intelligence of the number of their ships. Sailing thence to Preconnesus, they there lay at anchor all night. The next day they landed their men in the territories at Cyzicum, with a command to Chares, who led the army, to march straight to Cyzicum. The fleet was divided into three squadrons, one under the command of Alcibiades, another under Theramenes, and the third commanded by Thrasybulus. Alcibiades made out with his squadron far from the rest, and dared the Lacedæmonians to fight. Theramenes and Thrasybulus used their utmost endeavour to close in the enemy, so as to prevent their sailing back to the city. When Mindarus saw only that part of the fleet which was with Alcibiades, (having no intelligence of the rest), he despised them, and with fourscore sail, in great confidence, attacks them. When he came near to Alcibiades, the Athenians, as they were commanded, counterfeited a flight: whereupon the Peloponnesians with great joy hotly pursued them as conquerors: but when Alcibiades saw that he had decoyed and drawn them far off from the city, he lifts up his sign from his ship. At which, all his squadron at one instant tacked about, full in front upon the enemy: Theramenes and Thrasybulus in the mean time making to the city, left them no way to return. Upon this, they that were with Mindarus, considering the strength of their enemies, and perceiving how they were outwitted, were in a great consternation. At length the Athenians appearing on every side, and the return of the Peloponnesians to the city intercepted, Mindarus was forced to fly to a place upon that coast, called Claros, where Pharnabazus was encamped with his army; but Alcibiades making a hot pursuit after them, sunk and took many of their ships, and forcing the rest upon the shore, endeavoured to haul them thence with grapling irons. Upon this there was a great slaughter among the Athenians, in regard the army upon the shore assisted the Peloponnesians: and indeed the Athenians (lifted up with their victory) evinced more valour than prudence; for the Peloponnesians far exceeded them in number; and the army of Pharnabazus assisted the Lacedæmonians with great resolution, and fighting from land, had the advantage of a certain and fixed station. But when Thrasybulus saw the aid that was given to the enemy from the land, he landed the rest of his men with all speed, in order to succour Alcibiades; and commanded Theramenes, that with all expedition he should join the foot under the command of Chares, and fight the enemy at land. Whilst these orders were in execution, Mindarus, the Lacedæmonian general, bore all the brunt in preserving of the ships Alcibiades had laid hold of. Clearchus the Spartan, with the Peloponnesians and mercenary Persians, fought with Thrasybulus, who for some considerable time, with his seamen and archers, bore up with great valour against the enemy, killing many of them, but not without great loss of his own: and just when the Athenians were enclosed round with the soldiers of Pharnabazus, on a sudden falls in Theramenes, with his own and Chares's foot. Upon this, those with Thrasybulus, who were before almost spent, and quite out of heart, gathered courage; so the fight was renewed, and continued very hot and sharp a long time after; till the first that gave ground were the Persians, and by little and little their whole body began to break in pieces. At length the Peloponnesians, with Clearchus, being forsaken by their fellows, (after many wounds given and received, and slaughters on both sides), were forced likewise to give ground. These being thus broken and dispersed, Theramenes hastened to assist Alcibiades, who was sorely pressed in another part. And though now all the Athenian forces were joined together, yet Mindarus was not at all startled at the approach of Theramenes, but divides the Peloponnesians into two bodies, and commands the one to engage the fresh supply, and keeping the other with himself, earnestly adjures them that they would not stain the honour of the Spartan name; especially when the business was now to be disputed with Alcibiades by a fight at land. And now the battle for the safety at the ships was renewed with great gallantry; and Mindarus, at the head of his men, exposing himself to all manner of dangers, beats down many of his enemies; but at length was killed by the soldiers of Alcibiades, though he fought with that valour as was agreeable to the fame and glory of his country. Upon his death the Peloponnesians and their confederates all as one man fled with great consternation. The Athenians pursued them for awhile, but understanding that Pharnabazus was hastening after them with a great party of horse, they returned to their ships; and having regained the city, they set up two trophies, one for their victory at sea, near the island Polydorus, as it is called, the other for that at land, where the enemy first began to fly. The Peloponnesians who were left to guard the city, with those that escaped out of the battle, marched off to Pharnabazus's camp. The Athenians being now possessed of all the ships, and of a great number of prisoners, were laden with abundance of spoil, the fruits of the conquest of two potent armies.

When the news of this victory was brought to Athens, the success was so unexpected, after all their former losses, that the people were surprised with at such a happy turn of fortune, and offered sacrifices to the gods, and instituted festivals: and upon this was raised a thousand foot, and a hundred horse, of the most valiant of the citizens, for the carrying on of the war. The city likewise sent to Alcibiades a supply of thirty sail, to encourage him with greater confidence (especially now when they were masters at sea) to attack the cities who sided with the Lacedæmonians.

Notes

1. Euripus, a straight of the sea between Bœotia and Eubœa.