Bibliotheca Historica

​The Carthaginians held the Ecnomus hill, which they say had been a fortress of Phalaris. On this hill, it is said that the tyrant constructed the famous bronze bull for the punishment of those who were tortured, as a fire was kindled beneath the device; wherefore also the place was named Ecnomus from his impiety toward the unfortunate.

​On the other side, Agathocles held another of the fortresses that had belonged to Phalaris, the one called Phalarium after him. And between their camps was a river, which both had made a defense against the enemy; but rumors had prevailed from former times that a multitude of men must perish in battle near this place. Since it was not clear upon which of the two sides the disaster would fall, it happened that the camps were superstitious and hesitant to engage in battle.

​Therefore, for a long time, neither side dared to cross the river with a body of soldiers, until an unexpected cause provoked them to a general conflict. For when the Libyans were overrunning the enemy’s territory, Agathocles was prompted to do the same. And while the Greeks were carrying off booty and leading away some of the beasts of burden from the camp, those who were to pursue them marched out from the Carthaginian stockade.

​But Agathocles, anticipating what would happen, placed an ambush of men chosen for their valor near the river. These, when the Carthaginians were pursuing those who carried off the booty and had crossed the river, suddenly rose from their ambush, fell upon them while they were in disorder, and easily routed them.

​While the barbarians were being slain and were fleeing toward their own camp, Agathocles, thinking that the opportunity for a decisive battle had come, led his entire force against the enemy’s encampment. Falling upon them unexpectedly, he quickly filled up a part of the trench, tore down the stockade, and forced his way into the camp.

​The Carthaginians, terrified by the unexpected event and unable to find room to form their ranks, met the enemy just as it happened and fought. As both sides risked their lives vigorously around the trench, quickly all the neighboring place was strewn with corpses; for the most illustrious of the Carthaginians, seeing their camp being captured, came to help, while those around Agathocles, encouraged by their initial advantage and thinking they would end the whole war in a single struggle, pressed hard upon the barbarians.