Dionysius.—Arrival of Imilkon with a Carthaginian armament—his successful operations—he retakes Motyê.—Dionysius retires to Syracuse.—Imilkon captures Messênê.—Revolt of the Sikels from Dionysius. Commencement of Tauromenium.—Provisions of Dionysius for the defence of Syracuse—he strengthens Leontini—he advances to Katana with his land-army as well as his fleet.—Naval battle off Katana—great victory of the Carthaginian fleet under Magon.—Arrival of Imilkon to join the fleet of Magon near Katana—fruitless invitation to the Campanians of Ætna.—Dionysius retreats to Syracuse—discontent of his army.—Imilkon marches close up to Syracuse—the Carthaginian fleet come up to occupy the Great Harbor—their imposing entry. Fortified position of Imilkon near the Harbor.—Imilkon plunders the suburb of Achradina—blockades Syracuse by sea.—Naval victory gained by the Syracusan fleet during the absence of Dionysius.—Effect of this victory in exalting the spirits of the Syracusans.—Public meeting convened by Dionysius—mutinous spirit against him—vehement speech by Thedorus.—Sympathy excited by the speech in the Syracusan assembly.—The Spartan Pharakidas upholds Dionysius—who finally dismisses the assembly, and silences the adverse movement.—Alliance of Sparta with Dionysius—suitable to her general policy at the time. The emancipation of Syracuse depended upon Pharakidas.—Dionysius tries to gain popularity.—Terrific pestilence among the Carthaginian army before Syracuse.—Dionysius attacks the Carthaginian camp. He deliberately sacrifices a detachment of his mercenaries.—Success of Dionysius, both by sea and by land, against the Syracusan position.—Conflagration of the Carthaginian camp—exultation at Syracuse.—Imilkon concludes a secret treaty with Dionysius, to be allowed to escape with the Carthaginians, on condition of abandoning his remaining army. Destruction of the remaining Carthaginian army, except Sikels and Iberians.—Distress at Carthage—miserable end of Imilkon.—Danger of Carthage—anger and revolt of her African subjects—at length put down. 446-512 HISTORY OF GREECE. PART II. CONTINUATION OF HISTORICAL GREECE. CHAPTER LXXVI. FROM THE PEACE OF ANTALKIDAS DOWN TO THE SUBJUGATION OF OLYNTHUS BY SPARTA. The peace or convention[1] which bears the name of Antalkidas, was an incident of serious and mournful import in Grecian history. Its true character cannot be better described than in a brief remark and reply which we find cited in Plutarch. “Alas for Hellas (observed some one to Agesilaus) when we see our Laconians _medising_!”—“Nay (replied the Spartan king), say rather the Medes (Persians) _laconising_.”[2] [1] It goes by both names; Xenophon more commonly speaks of ἡ εἰρήνη—Isokrates, of αἱ συνθῆκαι.