Pagina 61 di 310

One morning he assembled the people and the senate of Syracuse,

as if he had to discuss with them things relating to the

Republic, and at a given signal the soldiers killed all the

senators and the richest of the people; these dead, he seized and

held the princedom of that city without any civil commotion. And

although he was twice routed by the Carthaginians, and ultimately

besieged, yet not only was he able to defend his city, but

leaving part of his men for its defence, with the others he

attacked Africa, and in a short time raised the siege of

Syracuse. The Carthaginians, reduced to extreme necessity, were

compelled to come to terms with Agathocles, and, leaving Sicily

to him, had to be content with the possession of Africa.

[1] Agathocles the Sicilian, born 361 B.C., died 289 B.C.