24.32
This
man not only obtained credence with the mob, but after being introduced
into the senate actually produced an impression on that body. Some of those
present who were by no means lacking in sense openly averred that it was a
very good thing that the Romans had displayed their rapacity and cruelty at
Leontini for, had they entered Syracuse, they would have behaved in the
same way or even worse, since there was more to feed their rapacity. It was
the unanimous opinion that the gates should be shut and the city put in a
state of defence, but they were not unanimous in their fears and hates. To the
whole of the soldiery and to a large proportion of the population the Romans
were the objects of detestation; the praetor and a few of the aristocracy were
anxious to guard against a nearer and more pressing danger, though they too
were excited by the false intelligence. For as a matter of fact, Hippocrates
and Epicydes were already at the Hexapylon, and conversations were going
on amongst the relations of the Syracusan soldiers about opening the gates
and letting their common country be defended from any attack by the
Romans. One of the gates of the Hexapylon had already been thrown open
and the troops were beginning to be admitted when the praetors appeared on
the scene. At first they used commands and threats, then they brought their
personal authority to bear, and at last, finding all their efforts useless, they
resorted to entreaties, regardless of their dignity, and implored the citizens
not to betray their country to men who had once danced attendance on a
tyrant and were now corrupting the army. But the ears of the maddened
people were deaf to their appeals and the gates were battered as much from
within as from without. After they had all been burst open the army was
admitted through the whole length of the Hexapylon. The praetors and the
younger citizens took refuge in the Achradina. The enemies' numbers were
swelled by the mercenaries, the deserters, and all the late king's guards who
had been left in Syracuse, with the result that the Achradina was captured at
the first attempt, and all the praetors who had failed to make their escape in
the confusion were put to death. Night put an end to the massacre. The
following day the slaves were called up to receive the cap of freedom and all
who were in gaol were released. This motley crowd elected Hippocrates and
Epicydes praetors, and Syracuse, after its short-lived gleam of liberty, fell
back into its old bondage.
