[Linenotes: 1. +adversus ... apparatum+, i.e. to oppose the elaborate naval attack by Marcellus on the seaward defences of Achradina. 7. +cubitalibus fere cavis+ = _with holes_ (fr. +cavum+ = noun) _about 1½ feet square_, +cubitalibus+ (_cubitum_) = _a cubit long_. Polybius has a _palm_ long, about 3 inches. This is more probable. 8. +scorpionibus+ = _crossbows_ or _manuballistae_. 10. +quo interiores ... essent+ = _so as to be too close in to be hit by_ (+intertores ictibus+) _the engines_. 10-12. +in eas+ (sc. +proras+) +iniecta+ = _on their bows was dropped_ ... 11. +tollenone+ = _from a swing beam_, supported at the centre of gravity by a strong fixed fulcrum. 12-13. +cum (ferrea manus) gravique ... ad solum+ = lit. _when (the grappling-iron) swung back_ (+recelleret+) _to the ground by a heavyweight of lead_. ‘This is incorrect; it was not the grappling-iron, but the other (_inland_) end of the lever which was brought down to the ground.’ --Rawlins. 15. +remissa+ (sc. +ferrea manus+) = _the grappling-hook was (then) suddenly let go_. 16. +ita undae affligebat+ = _was dashed with such violence on the disturbed water_ (+undae+).]
+Cause of the War.+ Soon after the death of Hiero in 216 B.C., his whole family was murdered, and the supreme power in Syracuse fell into the hands of the two brothers, Hippocrates and Epicydes, Hannibal’s agents.
Marcellus ut moenia ingressus ex superioribus locis urbem omnium ferme ilia tempestate pulcherrimam subiectam oculis vidit, illacrimasse dicitur partim gaudio tantae perpetratae rei, partim vetusta gloria urbis. Atheniensium classes demersae et duo { 5} ingentes exercitus cum duobus clarissimis ducibus deleti occurrebant et tot bella cum Carthaginiensibus tanto cum discrimine gesta, tot tam opulenti tyranni regesque, praeter ceteros Hiero cum recentissimae memoriae rex, tum ante omnia, quae virtus ei fortunaque { 10} sua dederat, beneficiis in populum Romanum insignis. Ea cum universa occurrerent animo subiretque cogitatio, iam illa momento horae arsura omnia et ad cineres reditura, priusquam signa Achradinam admoveret, praemittit Syracusanos, { 15} qui intra praesidia Romana fuerant, ut alloquio leni impellerent hostes ad dedendam urbem. . . . Achradina diripienda militi data est. Cum multa irae, multa avaritiae foeda exempla ederentur, Archimeden memoriae proditum est in tanto tumultu, quantum { 20} pavor captae urbis in discursu diripientium militum ciere poterat, intentum formis, quas in pulvere descripserat, ab ignaro milite, quis esset, interfectum; aegre id Marcellum tulisse sepulturaeque curam habitam, et propinquis etiam inquisitis honori praesidioque { 25} nomen ac memoriam eius fuisse.