The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian/Book XI/Chapter XV

Chapter XV

 * The war between the Argives and the Mycenæans.

WHEN Theaginidas was archon of Athens, and Lucius Æmilius Mamercus and Lucius Vopiscus Julius, consuls of Rome, began the seventy-eighth olympiad, wherein Parminidas Possidoniates was victor. At that time the war broke out between the Argives and the Mycenæans upon the following occasion. The Mycenæans, by reason of the antient renown and glory of their country, would never submit to the government of the Argives, as all the rest of the cities in the territory of Argos did, but were still governed by their own laws distinct from them of Argos. They contended likewise with the Argives, concerning the holy rites of the temple of Juno, and to have the sole management of the Nemæan games. Besides, when the Argives made a law, that none should aid the Lacedæmonians at Thermopylæ, unless the Spartans would relinquish and give up part of their country to them of Argos, they of Mycenæ only of all the other cities in the territory of Argos joined with the Lacedæmonians. And lastly, they of Argos were jealous, lest, by the growth of their power, their antient courage should so revive as to contend with them for the sovereignty. For these reasons, they had an evil eye to the Mycenæans, and some time not long before, had a longing desire to ruin their city. And now they thought a fit occasion and opportunity was offered them, to accomplish what they before designed, in regard the Spartans seemed not to be in a condition, by reason of their late calamity, to aid and assist them. To this end they marched against them with a great army both from Argos and their confederates: and having routed them, drove them within the walls, and besieged their city. The Mycenæans made a stout defence for a time, but wearied out and wasted by famine, (the Lacedæmonians, partly through wars of their own, and partly through the late ruins by the earthquake, unable to assist them, and the help of the other confederates falling), they became a prey to the conquerors. The Argives made all the citizens captives, and consecrated a tenth of the spoil to the god, and laid the city even with the ground. Such was the end of Mycenæ, a city in former times flourishing in all prosperity, that had bred and brought up men famous in their generations, that had been glorious in the world by brave and noble actions, and now lies waste and forsaken unto this day. These were the affairs of this year.