Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/513

DIONYSIUS AT SYRACUbt. 491 harbor of Motye and sailed from thence along the coast to Panor- mus. He probably entertained the hope of intercepting some portion of the Syracusan fleet. But nothing of the kind was found practicable ; while Leptines on his side was even fortunate enough to be able to attack, with thirty triremes, the foremost ves- sels of the large transport-fleet on their voyage to Panormus. He destroyed no less than fifty of them, with five thousand men, and two hundred chariots of war ; but the remaining fleet reached the port in safety, and were there joined by Imilkon with the ships of war. The land force being disembarked, the Carthaginian general led them to Motye, ordering his ships of war to accom- pany him along the coast. In his way he regained Eryx, which was at heart Carthaginian, having only been intimidated into sub- mission to Dionysius during the preceding year. He then attacked Motye, which he retook, seemingly after very little resistance. It had held out obstinately against the Syracusans a few months be- fore, while in the hands of its own Carthaginian inhabitants, with their families and properties around them ; but the Sikel garrison had far less motive for stout defence. 1 Thus was Dionysius deprived of the conquest which had cost him so much blood and toil during the preceding summer. We are surprised to learn that he made no effort to prevent its recap- ture, though he was then not far off, besieging Egesta, and though his soldiers, elate with the successes of the preceding year were eager for a general battle. But Dionysius, deeming this measure too adventurous, resolved to retreat to Syracuse. His provisions were failing, and he was at a great distance from allies, so that defeat would have been ruinous. He therefore returned to Syracuse, carrying with him some of the Sikanians, whom he persuaded to evacuate their abode in the Carthaginian neighbor- hood, promising to provide them with better homes elsewhere. Most of them, however, declined his offers ; some (among them, the Halikyreans) preferring to resume their alliance with Car- thage. Of the recent acquisitions nothing now remained to Dionysius beyond the Selinuntine boundary ; but Gela, Kama- rina, Agrigentum, and Selinus had been emancipated from Car- thage, and were still in a state of dependent alliance with him ; Diodor. xiv, 55.