Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/449

 VICTORY OF AGATHOKLES. 4X/ fialf of the enemy. Some of the ships' crews were even without arms, — a deficiency, which Agathokles could only supply in appearance, by giving to them the leather cases or wrappers of shields, stretched out upon sticks. The outstretched wrappers thus exhibited looked from a distance like shields ; so that these men, stationed in the rear, had the appearance of a reserve of hoplites. As the soldiers however were still discouraged, Agath- okles tried to hearten them up by another device yet more singular, for which indeed he must have made deliberate pro- vision beforehand. In various parts of the camp, he let fly a number of owls, which perched upon the shields and helmets of the soldiers. These birds, the favorite of Athene, were supposed and generally asserted to promise victory ; the minds of the soldiers are reported to have been much reassured by the sight. The Carthaginian war-chariots and cavalry, which charged first, made little or no impression ; but the infantry of their rif^hi pressed the Greeks seriously. Especially Hanno, with the Sacred Band around him, behaved with the utmost bravery and forwardness, and seemed to be gaining advantage, when he was unfortunately slain. His death not only discouraged his own troops, but became fatal to the army, by giving opportunity for treason to his colleague Bomilkar. This man had long secretly meditated the project of rendering himself despot of Carthage. As a means of attaining that end, he deliberately sought to brini' reverses upon her; and no sooner had he heard of Hanno's death, than he gave orders for his own wing to retreat. The Sacred Band, though fighting with unshaken valor, were left unsupported, attacked in rear as well as front, and compelled to give way along with the rest. The whole Carthaginian army was defeated and driven back to Carthage. Their camp fell into the hands of Agathokles, who found among their baggage the very handcuffs which they had brought for fettering their ex- pected captives.^ This victory made Agathokles for the time master of the open country. He transmitted the news to Sicily, by a boat of thirty • Diodor. xx. 12. The loss of the Carthaginians was differently given — some authors stated it at 1000 men — others at 6000. The loss in the army n£ Agathokles was stated at 200 men.