Diodorus on the Fall of Motya

Motya

In 398, Dionysius I, the tyrant of Syracuse, launched a campaign against the Carthaginians, who had conquered central Sicily in a large war in 408-405. He had carefully prepared the war, and immediately captured Motya, the main base of the Carthaginians, situated on a small island in the far west. Diodorus of Sicily tells the story in his Library of World History.

The translation of section 14.47.1-53.5 was made by C.H. Oldfather.

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[14.48.1] Since the armament was on the great scale we have described, the people of Eryx were awed by the magnitude of the force and, hating the Carthaginians as they did, came over to Dionysius. The inhabitants of Motya, however, expecting aid from the Carthaginians, were not dismayed at Dionysius' armament, but made ready to withstand a siege; for they were not unaware that the Syracusans would make Motya the first city to sack, because it was most loyal to the Carthaginians.

[14.48.2] This city was situated on an island lying 1100 meters off Sicily, and was embellished artistically to the last degree with numerous fine houses, thanks to the prosperity of the inhabitants. It also had a narrow artificial causeway extending to the shore of Sicily, which the Motyans breached at this time, in order that the enemy should have no approach against them.

[14.48.3] Dionysius, after reconnoitering the area, together with his engineers, began to construct moles leading to Motya, hauled the warships up on land at the entrance of the harbor, and moored the merchantships along the beach.

[14.48.4] After this he left Leptinesnote his admiral in command of the works, while he himself set out with the infantry of his army against the cities that were allies of the Carthaginians. Now the Sicani,note fearing the great size of the army, all went over to the Syracusans, and of the rest of the cities only five remained loyal to the Carthaginians, these being Halicyae, Solus, Segesta, Panormus, and Entella.

[14.48.5] Hence Dionysius plundered the territory of Solus and Panormus, and that also of Halicyae, and cut down the trees on it, but he laid siege to Segesta and Entella with strong forces and launched continuous attacks upon them, seeking to get control of them by force. Such was the state of the affairs of Dionysius.