Various History

CHAP. XIX.

The Luxury of the Sybarites, Colophonians, and Corinthians.

It is a common saying and known to all, that to the Sybarites and the City Sybaris the cause of destruction was their great luxury. But I will relate what is not commonly known: They say that the Colophonians also were ruined by excessive luxury; for they also went proudly attired, were lavish at their Tables far beyond need, and apt to affront others. Likewise the reign of the Bacchiadæ at Corinth (when they had arrived to great power) was destroyed by immoderate luxury.

CHAP. XX.

Of Dionysius his Sacrilege.

Dionysius plundered all the Temples of Syracuse of their Treasure. From the Statue of Jupiter he took the Robe and Ornaments, valued at fourscore and five Talents of gold. The public Artificers not being forward to touch the Statue, he first laid hands upon it. He likewise robbed Apollo's Image of a golden Periwig, which he