Page 732 from his Design, pretending he did it by Command from the Gods, by whom he was told, That if they continu'd the Siege, they would certainly fall into some sudden Misfortune.
Accordingly, while he was preparing to draw off from the City, a Fleet of Moors entred the Harbour, who were sent to the Assistance of them of Lilybeum, under the Command of one call'd Gomon, who in the Night surprizing Athenio's Army, (now marching off and leaving the Siege) kill'd a great number of them, and wounded as many, and so got into the Town. This was the occasion that his former Prediction was highly admir'd and cry'd up by the Rebells.
At the same time great Disorders, and all sorts of Calamities overspread all Sicily. For not only Servants but Freemen that were reduc'd to Poverty, committed all sorts of Rapines and acts of Wickedness: For they shamefully kill'd all before them, whether Bond or Free, that none might be left to tell Tales; so that they that were in the Cities scarce enjoy'd any thing that was their own, though it were with them within the Walls: But as for that which was without, all was swallow'd up and violently seiz'd on, as a Prey taken from a Common Enemy. Many other things against all the Laws of Humanity were impudently committed by many throughout all Sicily.
Salvius likewise, he who had besieg'd Morgantina, after he had harrass'd all the Country, as far as to the Territories of Leontium, there mustered his Army, consisting of above 30000 Fighting Men. Then Sacrificing to the Heroes of Italy, he Dedicated one of the Royal Purple Robes, in gratitude for his Victories. And now he caus'd himself to be proclaim'd King, and was call'd by the Rebells Tryphon; having a design to possess himself of Tricala, and there to build a Palace, he sent to Athenio, and as King commanded him as General to repair to him. Every Man then thought that Athenio would endeavour to gain the Sovereignty for himself, and by that means the Rebels would be divided, and so a speedy period would be put to the War. But Fortune so order'd the Matter, that the Armies of the Fugitives being thus increas'd, the two Generals were Unanimous, and agreed very well one with another. For Tryphon march'd speedily with his Army to Tricala, and Athenio came thither to him with 3000 Men, in every thing observing the Commands of Tryphon as his King. Athenio had sent the rest abroad to harrass and spoil the Country, and to bring over as many as they could to join with them in the Defection. But not long after, Tryphon suspected that Athenio had a design to supplant him, and therefore he caus'd him to be seiz'd betime. The Castle that was well fortify'd before, he made more strong, and adorn'd it likewise with many stately Buildings. After which (they say) it was call'd Tricala, because it was Remarkable and Famous for three things, First for Springs of excellent sweet Water. Secondly for Vineyards, and Olive yards, and rich Lands for Tillage. And Thirdly, That it was a Place impregnable, built upon an high and inaccessible Rock. After he had drawn a Line of eight Stages round about it for the building of a City, and had compass'd it in with a deep Trench, he made it the Seat-Royal, being a Place abounding in Plenty and Fatness of all things necessary for Man's Life. He likewise built there a stately Palace and a Market-place, capable to receive a vast Number of Men. He chose likewise a competent Number of the most prudent Men to be of his Council, and made use of them for Administration of Justice. Moreover, whenever he sate in the Courts of Justice, he put on a long Gown edg'd with Purple, and a Coat pouder'd with large Studds of Purple. Lastly, He appointed Lictors with Rods and Axes to go before him, and took care that all other Ensigns and Badges of Royalty should be observed.
At length Lucius Licinius Lucullus was chosen General by the Senate at Rome to go against the Rebels, who had with him 14000 Romans and Italians, 1800 Bithynians, Thessalians, and Acharnans; and out of Lucania 600 under the Command of one Cleptius, an Expert and Valiant Soldier, and 600 from other Places, in the whole amounting to 17000. With this Army he entred Sicily. Upon this Tryphon releas'd Athenio, and advis'd with him how to manage the War against the Romans. Tryphon was of Opinion, that it was the safest way to continue in Tricala, and there expect the Enemy: But Athenio advis'd rather to draw out and fight in the open Field, than to suffer themselves to be besieg'd; whose Counsel prevailing, they march'd out and Encamp'd near Scirthaea, with no fewer than 40000 Men, twelve Furlongs distant from the Roman Camp. At first the Armies employ'd themselves every day in light Skirmishes; but at length they Engag'd, and while Victory seem'd to incline sometime to one side, and sometime to another, and many fell on both sides. Athenio came on with 200 choice Horse, and cover'd the Ground round about him with the Bodies of his Enemies. But being wounded in both his Knees, and