Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/487

VICTORY OF DIONYSIUS. 465 their way through to join Dionysius in Ortygia. At the same time,, a reinforcement of three hundred fresh mercenaries reached him by sea. The face of aifairs was now completely changed. The recent defeat produced among the assailants not only discourage ment, but also mutual recrimination and quarrel. Some insisted upon still prosecuting the siege of Ortygia, while others, probably the friends of the recently dismissed Horsemen, declared in favor of throwing it up altogether and joining the Horsemen at JEtnn ; a resolution, which they seem at once to have executed. Observ- ing his opponents thus enfeebled and torn by dissension, Dionysius sallied out and attacked them, near the suburb called Neapolis or Newtown, on the south-west of Achradina. He was victorious, and forced them to disperse. But he took great pains to prevent slaughter of the fugitives, riding up himself to restrain his own troops ; and he subsequently buried the slain with due solemnity. He was anxious by these proceedings to conciliate the remainder; for the most warlike portion of his opponents had retired to -ZEtna, where no less than seven thousand hoplites were now assembled along with the Horsemen. Dionysius sent thither envoys to invite them to return to Syracuse, promising the largest amnesty for the past. But it was in vain that his envoys expatiated upon his re- cent forbearance towards the fugitives and decent interment of the slain. Few could be induced to come back, except such as had left their wives and families at Syracuse in his power. The larger proportion, refusing all trust in his word and all submission to his command, remained in exile at JEtna. Such as did return were well treated, in hopes of inducing the rest gradually to follow their example. 1 Thus was Dionysius rescued from a situation apparently despe- rate, and reestablished in his dominion ; chiefly through the rash presumption (as on the former occasion after the retreat from Gela), the want of persevering union, and the absence of any commanding leader, on the part of his antagonists. His first proceeding was to Agyrium, and deposited their baggage in the care of Agyris the despot of that town (Diodor. xiv, 9). But if we look at the position of Agyrium on the map, it ssems difficult to understand how mercenaries coming from the Carthaginian tsrritory, and in great haste to reach Syracuse, can have passed anywhere near to it. 1 Diodor. xiv, 9. VOL. x. 20* 30oc.