Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/457

 DF.FEAT AND DK ATII 01-" IIAJIILKAn. 425 in chains, then inflicted on him the worst tortures, and lastly killed him. His head was cut off and sent to Africa.^ The loss and humiliation sustained in this repulse — tO"fethet with the death of Hamilkar, and the discord ensuing between the exiles under Deinokrates and the Carthaginian soldiers — completely broke up the besieging army. At the same time, the Agrigentines, profiting by the depression both of Carthaginians and exiles, stood forward pubhcly, proclaiming themselves as champions of the cause of autonomous city government through- out Sicily, under their own presidency, against both the Cartha- ginians on one side, and the despot Agathokles on the other. They chose for their general a citizen named Xcnodokus, who set himself with vigor to the task of expelling everywhere the mercenary garrisons which held the cities in subjection. He be- gan first with Gela, the city immediately adjoining Agrigentura, found a party of the citizens disposed to aid him, and in conjunc- tion with them, overthrew the Agatboklean garrison. The Ge- loans, thus liberated, seconded cordially his efforts to extend the like benefits to others. The popular banner proclaimed by Agri- gentum proved so welcome, that many cities eagei-ly invited her aid to shake off the yoke of the soldiery in their respective cita- dels, and regain their free governments.^ Enna, Erbessus, Echetla," Leontini, and Kamarina, were all thus relieved from the dominion of Agathokles ; while other cities were in like man- ner emancipated from the sway of the Carthaginians ; and joined the Agrigentine confederacy. The Agathoklean government at Syracuse was not strong enough to resist such spirited manifesta- tions. Syracuse still continued to be blocked up by the Cartha- ginian fleet ; though the blockade was less efficacious, and sup- plies were now introduced more abundantly than before.^ 1 Diodor. xx. 30. rbv c5' ovv 'Au'iAKav ol tuv uizoXuTiotuv avyyevelg <hde fjLEvov ayayovTE^ Sea rr/c TroAewf, /cat JetfaZf aiKiatg /cnr' ai'Tov xpv^^f'-^voi, fiera r/j^ iax^iffl? vjipeug uve'u.ov. ^ Diodor. xx. 31. 6ia(3oij'&eiaTic Si rz/c riJv 'AKpayavrivuv intjSoli'/^ /card miaav, rr/v vr/aov, EveKeaev opfjr/ rale noleai npdg tijv DiEV^spiav. ' Enna is nearly in the centre of Sicily ; Erbessus is not far to the north- east of Agrigentura ; Echetla is placed by Polybius (i. 15) midway between the domain of Syracuse and that of Carthage 36*
 * Diodor. xx. 32.