Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/479

 CATTLE OF TOKGIUM. 4J7 Agathokles himself) began to suspect his selfish projects, and to waver in their fidelity to liira. Meanwhile Agathokles, being repudiated by Deinokrates, addressed liimself to the Carthagin- ians, and concluded a treaty with them, restoring or guarantee- ing to them all the possessions that they had ever enjoyed in Sicily. In return for this concession, he received from thejn a fium of money, and a large supply of corn.^ Relieved from Cartliaginian hostility, Agathokles presently ventured to march against the army of Deinokrates. The latter was indeed greatly superior in strength, but many of his soldiers were now lukewarm or disaffected, and Agathokles had estab- lished among them correspondences upon which he could rely. At a great battle fought near Torgium, many of them went over on the field to Agathokles, giving to him a complete victory. The army of Deinokrates was completely dispersed. Shortly afterwards a considerable body among them (4000 men, or 7000 men, according to different statements) surrendered to the victor on terms. As soon as they had delivered up their arms, Agath- okles, regardless of his covenant, caused them to be surrounded by his own army, and massacred.^ It appears as if the recent victory had been the result of a se- cret and treacherous compact between Agathokles and Deino- krates ; and as if the prisoners massacred by Agathokles were those of whom Deinokrates wished to rid himself as malcontents ; for immediately after the battle, a reconciliation took place be- tween the two. Agathokles admitted the other as a sort of part- ner in his despotism ; while Deinokrates not only brought into the partnership all the military means and strong posts which lie had been two years in acquiring, but also betrayed to Agath- okles the revolted general Pasiphilus with the town of Gela oc- cupied by the latter. It is noticed as suigular, that Agathokles, generally faithless and unscrupulous towards both fi-iends and enemies, kept up the best understanding and confidence Avith Deinokrates to the end of his life.' The despot had now regained full power at Syracuse, together ' Diodor.xx. 78, 79. Some said that the sum of money paid by the Car- thaginians was 300 talents. Tim.naus stated it at 150 talents. - Diodor. xx. 89. ^ Diodor. xx. 90.