Page 496 When Thessalus was chief Magistrate at Athens, and Marcus Fabius and Titus Quintius executed the Consulship at Rome, the Thebans wearied out with the Toils of the Phocian War, and brought very low in their Treasure, sent Ambassadors to the King of Persia to sollicit that King to supply them with a Sum of Money; to which Artaxerxes readily consented, and without delay furnished them with Three hundred Talents. However there was little or nothing done this Year worth taking notice of between the Boeotians and Phocians, save some Skirmishes, and harrassing one anothers Countries.
In Asia, the Persian King having invaded Aegypt some Years before with a numerous Army; but miscarrying in his Design, at this time renewed the War against the Aegyptians, and after many worthy Actions performed by his Valour and Diligence, he recovered Aegypt, Phaenicia, and Cyprus. But that the History may be made more plain and evident, we shall first declare the Causes and Grounds of the War, looking back a little to the Times proper for the Occasion.
The Aegyptians having heretofore rebelled against the Persians; Artaxerxes, Sirnamed Ochus, notwithstanding sate still and quiet, being no ways addicted to Arms. And though Armies under the Command of several Captains were set forth, yet through the Treachery and Unskilfulness of the Generals, many times he was Unfortunate and Unsuccessful. Upon which Account, though he was greatly contemned by the Aegyptians, yet his Love to his Ease and Pleasure had that Ascendent over him, as to inforce him patiently to bear the Disgrace. But now when the Phaenicians and Kings of Cyprus, in imitation of this Disloyalty of the Aegyptians, and in Contempt of him, were all running into Rebellion, the King was at length rouz'd, and determin'd to make War upon them. But he judged it not Advisable or Prudent to manage the War by his Deputies and Generals, but resolved to go himself, and try his own Fortune and Conduct in the Defence and Preservation of his Kingdom. To that end he made great Preparation of Arms, Darts, Provision and Forces; and raised Three hundred thousand Foot, and Thirty thousand Horse; and rigg'd out a Fleet of Three hundred Galleys, besides Six hundred Ships of Burden, and other Transport Ships for all sorts of Provision. The War in Phaenicia first broke out upon these Occasions.
In Phaenicia there is a famous City called Tripolis, its Name agreeing with the Nature of the Place; for three Cities are contained within its Bounds, a Furlong distant one from each other, one called the City of the Aradians, the other of the Sidonians, and the third of the Tyrians. It's the most eminent of all the Cities of Phaenicia, being that where the General Senate of all the Phaenicians do usually meet and consult about the weighty Affairs of the Nation. The Kings, Lords Lieutenants and Generals then in Sidon, carrying themselves by their severe Edicts rigorously and haughtily towards the Sidonians, the Citizens being so abused, and not being able longer to brook it, studied how to revolt from the Persians. Upon which, the rest of the Phaenicians being wrought upon by the other to vindicate their Liberty, sent Messengers to Nectanetus the King of Aegypt, then at War with the Persians, to receive them as Confederates, and so the whole Nation prepared for War. And being that Sidon then exceeded all the rest in Wealth, and even private Men by the advantage of Trade were grown very Rich, they built a great Number of Ships, and raised a potent Army of Mercenaries; and both Arms, Darts and Provision, and all other Things necessary for War, were prepared. And that they might appear first in the War, they spoil'd and ruin'd the Kings Garden, cutting down all the Trees where the Persian Kings used to Recreate and Divert themselves. Then they burnt all the Hay which the Lord Lieutenants had laid up for the use of the Horses, At last they seized upon the Persians, who had so insulted over them, and haled them to Punishment. And in this manner began the War of the Persians with the Phaenicians. For the King being informed what the Rebels had so impudently acted, threatned to Revenge it upon all the Inhabitants of Phaenicia, especially upon the Sidonians. To this end he Rendevous'd all his Army, both Horse and Foot, at Babylon, and presently march'd away against the Phaenicians. In the mean time, while the King was upon his March, the Governor of Syria, and Mazaeus Lord Lieutenant of Caelicia, joined together against the Phaenicans: On the other side, Tennes King of Sidon procured for their assistance Four thousand Greek Mercenaries from the Aegyptians, under the Command of Mentor the Rhodian; with these, and a Body of the Citizens, he engaged with the Lord Lieutenants, and got the Day, and expelled them out of Phaenicia.
While these Things were acted in Phaenicia, the War in Cyprus began at the same time, the one depending much upon the other. There were Nine great Cities in this Island, under whose Jurisdiction were all the other smaller Towns. Every one had its several King, who managed all publick Affairs; yet subject to the King of Persia.