Page:History of Greece Vol III.djvu/375

 AKISTODEMUS OF CUiLE. 359 eluded in the possessions of Cumte 1 not unworthy probably, in the sixth century B. c., to be numbered with Sybaris and Kroton. The decline of Cunue begins in the first half of the fifth cen- tury B. C. (500-450 B. C.), first, from the growth of hostile powers in the interior, the Tuscans and Samnites, next, from violent intestine dissensions and a destructive despotism. The town was assailed by a formidable host of invaders from the interior, Tuscans reinforced by Umbrian and Daunian allies ; which Dionysius refers to the 64th Olympiad (524-520 B. c.), though upon what chronological authority we do not know, and though this same time is marked by Eusebius as the date of the foundation of Dika:archia from Cuma;. The invaders, in spite of great disparity of number, were bravely repelled by the Cu- ma'ans, chiefly through the heroic example of a citizen then first known and distinguished, Aristodemus Malakus. The govern- ment of the city was oligarchical, and the oligarchy from that day became jealous of Aristodemus ; who, on his part, acquired ex- traordinary popularity and influence among the people. Twenty years afterwards, the Latin city of Aricia, an ancient ally of Cuinre was attacked by a Tuscan host, and intreated succor from the Cumasans. The oligarchy of the latter thought this a goo<? opportunity to rid themselves of Aristodemus, whom they d&- spatched by sea to Aricia, with rotten vessels and an insufficient body of troops. But their stratagem failed and proved theix ruin ; for the skill and intrepidity of Aristodemus sufficed for the rescue of Aricia, and he brought back his troops victorious and devoted to himself personally. Partly by force, partly by ftratagem, he subverted the oligarchy, put to death the principal rulers, and constituted himself despot : by a jealous energy, by disarming the people, and by a body of mercenaries, he main- tained himself in this authority for twenty years, runniug his career of lust and iniquity until old age. At length a conspiracy of the oppressed population proved successful against him ; he v;i- slain, with all his family and many of his chief partisans, and the former government was restored. 2 1 Niebuhr, Eiimisch. Geschicht. vol. i. p. 76, 2il edit. 1 The history of Aristodemus Malakns is given at some length bj Pj nyiius of Halikarnnssus fviii, 3-10).