THE BATTLE OF CRIMISUS
The exiles who had returned to Sicily, and the colonists who had come
to settle there, were needed, not only to till the ground but to defend
the island. For the Carthaginians, angry with Mago’s failure, now sent
to Sicily an enormous army, seventy thousand strong.
The Syracusans were frightened to see so large a force, and not more
than three thousand men were willing to go with Timoleon against the
enemy. He hired four thousand soldiers, but of these one thousand
deserted before a battle was fought.
Near the river Crimisus the Carthaginians encamped, and thither
Timoleon hastened with his faint-hearted army.
On their way they met a number of mules laden with baskets of parsley.
Now the Sicilians were used to place wreaths of parsley upon the tombs
of their dead, so they were sure that it was a bad omen to meet the
mules, and they grew still more uneasy.
But Timoleon laughed at their fears, telling them that in Corinth the
victors at the games were crowned with chaplets of parsley. He then
lifted some from the baskets, and twisting it into a wreath he placed
it on his head, his officers first and then the soldiers following his
example.
At that moment two eagles flew toward the army. One carried in its
talons a snake, which it had killed, the other uttered loud cries as of
victory. Here was a good omen! It was ever a sign of success to see an
eagle, and the soldiers thanked the gods and plucked up courage.
Before long Timoleon led his men to the top of a hill that looked down
on the river Crimisus. But at first he could see nothing, for a thick
mist veiled the river.
The hill was still hidden from sight when the mist lifted from the
river, and Timoleon saw that the Carthaginians had begun to cross to
the other side, but they had no idea that the enemy was near.
Now was the time, thought Timoleon, to charge the enemy, while it was
crossing the river. So bidding the trumpets sound, he seized his shield
and ordered his troops to advance.
The courage of the men had returned, and with cheers they rushed down
the hill and charged the Carthaginians, who, taken by surprise, yet
fought bravely. They wore heavy armour and their breastplates were able
to resist the thrust of the Corinthian spears. Soon the men were at
close quarters with swords drawn, and a terrible struggle began.
It seemed that now one side, now the other would conquer. While the
victory still hung in the balance, a violent storm broke over the
battlefield.
The thunder crashed so that the orders of the officers could no longer
be heard. Lightning flashed in the eyes of the startled horses and
blinded them, while torrents of rain and hail dashed in the faces of
the Carthaginians.
As the ground grew muddy, the soldiers slipped and fell to the ground.
The Sicilians, who wore light armour, easily struggled to their feet,
but their foes found it almost impossible to rise.
Soon the river overflowed its banks and swept across the battlefield.
This was more than the Carthaginians could bear, and they turned and
fled, but many were overtaken by the swift-footed Sicilians and slain.
The victorious army found more spoil than they had thought possible--a
thousand breastplates and ten thousand shields of marvellous
workmanship, as well as ornaments of gold and silver were taken.
When tidings were sent to Corinth of the great victory of Crimisus, the
richest of the spoil was also sent to the city.
On the booty were written these words, ‘The people of Corinth and
Timoleon, their general, having redeemed the Greeks of Sicily from
Carthaginian bondage, make oblation of these to the gods, in grateful
acknowledgement of their favour.’
Sicily was now free, and the people in their gratitude begged Timoleon
to become their king. But this he would not do, nor would he even keep
the command of the army. His wife and children whom he had left in
Corinth joined him, and for a time he lived with them in Syracuse as
quietly as any other citizen. When he left the city it was to live in a
beautiful country house which was given to him by the grateful people
of Syracuse.
As he grew older, Timoleon’s eyesight failed, and at length he became
quite blind. But old and blind as he was the people did not forget all
that he had done for them, and they loved and trusted him as in happier
days.
If trouble arose in the assembly, they would beg him to come to give
them his advice. And the old man would order his car, which was drawn
by mules, and be driven to the hall. Here he would sit and listen to
the troubles of the people, and when he spoke it was seldom that his
words were not obeyed.
Three or four years after the battle of Crimisus, Timoleon died. The
grief of the Syracusans was deep, for they had loved their deliverer
well.
Thousands of men and women, clad in white and crowned with garlands,
followed his body as it was carried slowly through the city, past the
places where once the palaces of the tyrants had stood.
As the bier was laid on the funeral pile, a herald cried aloud, ‘The
people of Syracuse inter Timoleon the Corinthian at the public expense
and decree that his memory be honoured for ever, by games held each
year, the prizes to be competed for in music, in horse-races and all
sorts of bodily exercises, and this because he suppressed tyrants,
overthrew the barbarian, replenished the principalities that were
desolate with new inhabitants, and then restored the Sicilian Greeks to
the privilege of living by their own laws.’