ting himself with Sicily,
he would leave to Ophellas the empire of Africa. But, as Agathocles did
not scruple to commit the most horrid crimes when he thought them
conducive to his interest, the credulous prince had no sooner put himself
and his army in his power, than, by the blackest perfidy, he caused him to
be murdered, in order that Ophellas's army might be entirely at his
devotion. Many nations were now joined in alliance with Agathocles, and
several strongholds were garrisoned by his forces. As he now saw the
affairs of Africa in a flourishing condition, he thought it proper to look
after those of Sicily; accordingly he sailed back thither, having left the
command of the army to his son Archagathus. His renown, and the report of
his victories, flew before him. On the news of his arrival in Sicily many
towns revolted to him; but bad news soon recalled him to Africa. His
absence had quite changed the face of things; and all his endeavours were
incapable of restoring them to their former condition. All his
strong-holds had surrendered to the enemy; the Africans had deserted him;
some of his troops were lost, and the remainder were unable to make head
against the Carthaginians; he had no way to transport them into Sicily, as
he was destitute of ships, and the enemy were masters at sea: he could not
hope for either peace or treaty with the barbarians, since he had insulted
them in so outrageous a manner, by his being the first who had dared to
make a descent in their country. In this extremity, he thought only of
providing for his own safety. After many adventures, this base deserter of
his army, and perfidious betrayer of his own children, who were left by
him to the wild fury of his disappointed soldiers, stole away from the
dangers which threatened him, and arrived at Syracuse with very few
followers. His soldiers, seeing themselves thus betrayed, murdered his
sons, and surrendered to the enemy. Himself died miserably soon after, and
ended, by a cruel death,(653) a life that had been polluted with the
blackest crimes.

In this period may be placed another incident related by Justin.(654) The
fame of Alexander's conquests made the Carthaginians fear, that he might
think of turning his arms towards Africa. The disastrous fate of Tyre,
whence they drew their origin, and which he had so lately destroyed; the
building of Alexandria upon the confines of Africa and Egypt, as if he
intended it as a rival city to Carthage; t