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gentleness to the Greeks； and his friends in general； having raised；
too； the greater part of those trophies he won in battle without any
tears shed or any mourning worn by the citizens either of Syracuse
or Corinth； and within less than eight years' space delivered Sicily
from its inveterate grievances and intestine distempers； and given
it up free to the native inhabitants； began； as he was now growing
old； to find his eyes fail； and awhile after became perfectly blind。
Not that he had done anything himself which might occasion this
defect； or was deprived of his sight by any outrage of fortune； it
seems rather to have been some inbred and hereditary weakness that was
founded in natural causes； which by length of time came to discover
itself。 For it is said； that several of his kindred and family were
subject to the like gradual decay； and lost all use of their eyes；
as he did； in their declining years。 Athanis the historian tells us
that even during the war against Hippo and Mamercus； while he was in
his camp at Mylae； there appeared a white speck within his eye； from
whence all could foresee the deprivation that was coming on him； this；
however； did not hinder him then from continuing the siege； and
prosecuting the war； till he got both the tyrants into his power；
but upon his coming back to Syracuse； he presently resigned the
authority of sole commander； and besought the citizens to excuse him
from any further service； since things were already brought to so fair
an issue。 Nor is it so much to be wondered that he himself should bear
the misfortune without any marks of trouble； but the respect and
gratitude which the Syracusans showed him when he was entirely blind
may justly deserve our admiration。 They used to go themselves to visit
him in troops and brought all the strangers that travelled through
their country to his house and manor； that they also might have the
pleasure to see their noble benefactor； making it the great matter
of their joy and exultation； that when； after so many brave and
happy exploits； he might have returned with triumph into Greece； he
should disregard all the glorious preparations that were there made to
receive him； and choose rather to stay here and end his days among
them。 Of the various things decreed and done in honour of Timoleon；
I consider one most signal testimony to have been the vote which
they passed； that； whenever they should be at war with any foreign
nation； they should make use of none but a Corinthian general。 The
method； also； of their proceeding in council was a noble demonstration
of the same deference for his person。 For； determining matters of less
consequence themselves； they always called him to advise in the more
difficult cases； and such as were of greater moment。 He was； on
these occasions； carried through the market…place in a litter； and
brought in； sitting； into the theatre； where the people with one voice
saluted him by his name； and then； after returning the courtesy； and
pausing for a time； till the noise of their gratulations and blessings
began to cease； he heard the business in debate； and delivered his
opinion。 This being confirmed by a general suffrage； his servants went
back with the litter through the midst of the assembly； the people
waiting on him out with acclamations and applauses； and then returning
to consider other public matters； which they could despatch in his
absence。 Being thus cherished in his old age； with all the respect and
tenderness due to a common father； he was seized with a very slight
indisposition； which； however； was sufficient； with the aid of time；
to put a period to his life。 There was an allotment then of certain
days given； within the space of which the Syracusans were to provide
whatever should be necessary for his burial； and all the
neighbouring country people and strangers were to make their
appearance in a body； so that the funeral pomp was set out with
great splendour and magnificence in all other respects； and the
bier； decked with ornaments and trophies； was borne by a select body
of young men over that ground where the palace and castle of Dionysius
stood before they were demolished by Timoleon。 There attended on the
solemnity several thousands of men and women； all crowned with
flowers； and arrayed in fresh and clean attire； which made it look
like the procession of a public festival； while the language of all；
and their tears mingling with their praise and benediction of the dead
Timoleon； manifestly showed that it was not any superficial honour； or
commanded homage； which they paid him； but the testimony of a just
sorrow for his death； and the expression of true affection。 The bier
at length being placed upon the pile of wood that was kindled to
consume his corpse； Demetrius； one of their loudest criers；
proceeded to read a proclamation to the following purpose： 〃The people
of Syracuse have made a special decree to inter Timoleon； the son of
Timodemus； the Corinthian； at the common expense of two hundred minas；
and to honour his memory for ever； by the establishment of annual
prizes to be competed for in music； and horse…races； and all sorts
of bodily exercise； and this； because he suppressed the tyrants；
overthrew the barbarians； replenished the principal cities； that
were desolate； with new inhabitants； and then restored the Sicilian
Greeks to the privilege of living by their own laws。〃 Besides this；
they made a tomb for him in the market…place； which they afterwards
built round with colonnades； and attached to it places of exercise for
the young men； and gave it the name of the Timoleonteum。 And keeping
to that form and order of civil policy and observing those laws and
constitutions which he left them； they lived themselves a long time in
great prosperity。
THE END