MELPOMENE. 145

themselves and their country to Apries, sovereign of
Egypt: this prince assembled a numerous army of
Egyptians, and sent them to attack Cyrene. The
Cyreneans drew themselves up at Irasa, near the
fountain Thestis, and in a fixed battle routed the
Egyptians, who till now, from their ignorance, had
despised the Grecian power. The battle was so de­
cisive, that very few of the Egyptians returned to
their country; they were on this account so exas­
perated against Apries, that they revolted from his
authority.

CLX. Arcesilaus, the son of this Battus, succeeded
to the throne; he was at first engaged in some contests
with his brothers, but they removed themselves from
him to another part of Libya, where, after some de­
liberation, they founded a city. They called it Barce,
which name it still retains. Whilst they were em­
ployed upon this business, they endeavoured to excite
the Lybians against the Cyreneans. Arcesilaus with­
out hesitation commenced hostilities both against
those who had revolted from him, and against the
Libyans who received them; intimidated by which,
these latter fled to their countrymen, who were situ­
ated more to the east. Arcesilaus persevered in pur­
suing them till he arrived at Leucon, and here the
Libyans discovered an inclination to try the event of
a battle. They accordingly engaged, and the Cyre­
neans were so effectually routed, that seven thousand
of their men in arms fell in the field. Arcesilaus,
after this calamity, fell sick, and was strangled by his
brother Aliarchus, whilst in the act of taking some
medicine. The wife of Arcesilaus whose name was
Eryxo, revenged by some stratagem on his murderer,
the death of her husband.

CLXI. Arcesilaus was succeeded in his authority
by his son Battus, a boy who was lame, and had other­
wise an infirmity in his feet. The Cyreneans, afflicted
by their recent calamities, sent to Delphi, desiring to
know what conduct would most effectually secure
their tranquillity. The Pythian in reply, recommended
to procure from Mantinea, in Arcadia, some one to
compose their disturbances. Accordingly, at the

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