hat, even after being happily carried into
execution, it yet appears almost incredible. This design was no less than
to make Africa the seat of war, and to besiege Carthage, at a time when he
could neither defend himself in Sicily, nor sustain the siege of Syracuse.
His profound secresy in the execution is as astonishing as the design
itself. He communicated his thoughts on this affair to no person
whatsoever, but contented himself with declaring, that he had found out an
infallible way to free the Syracusans from the danger that surrounded
them; that they had only to endure with patience, for a short time, the
inconveniences of a siege; but that those who could not bring themselves
to this resolution, might freely depart the city. Only sixteen hundred
persons quitted it. He left his brother Antander there, with forces and
provisions sufficient for him to make a stout defence. He set at liberty
all slaves who were of age to bear arms, and, after obliging them to take
an oath, joined them to his forces. He carried with him only fifty
talents,(642) to supply his present wants, well assured that he should
find in the enemy's country whatever was necessary to his subsistence. He
therefore set sail with two of his sons, Archagathus and Heraclides,
without letting any one person know whither he intended to direct his
course. All who were on board his fleet believed that they were to be
conducted either to Italy or Sardinia, in order to plunder those
countries, or to lay waste those coasts of Sicily which belonged to the
enemy. The Carthaginians, surprised at so unexpected a departure,
endeavoured to prevent it; but Agathocles eluded their pursuit, and made
for the main ocean.

He did not discover his design till he had landed in Africa. There,
assembling his troops, he told them, in few words, the motives which had
prompted him to this expedition. He represented, that the only way to free
their country, was to carry the war into the territories of their enemies:
that he led them who were enured to war, and of intrepid dispositions,
against a parcel of enemies who were softened and enervated by ease and
luxury: that the natives of the country, oppressed with the yoke of a
servitude equally cruel and ignominious, would run in crowds to join them
on the first news of their arrival: that the boldness of their attempt
would alone disconcert the Carthaginians, who had no expectation of seeing
an enemy at their gates: in short, that