r for their defence, he ordered trumpets to sound on
all sides, which produced great terror and tumult, as they imagined
that no part of the walls remained untaken. Yet the strongest, and
that too the largest and finest part of the city, was still left,
called Achradina, because it is fortified on the side near the outer
town, part of which is called Neapolis, and part Tyche.

XIX. These parts of the city were captured, and at daybreak Marcellus
moved down through the Hexapylon, amidst the congratulations of his
officers. It is said that when, from the high ground he surveyed that
great and fair city, he burst into tears, thinking how sadly it would
soon be changed in appearance when sacked by his soldiers. For none of
his officers dared to oppose the soldiers when they demanded the
privilege of plunder, and many encouraged them to burn and destroy.
But Marcellus would not so much as entertain the idea of this, but,
much against his will, was forced to permit them to carry off the
movable property and slaves, though he forbade them to touch freemen,
and gave strict orders that none of the citizens of Syracuse should be
slain, dishonoured, or enslaved. Yet even after moderating their
license to this extent he thought that the city was sadly ill-treated,
and even in such a moment of triumph he showed great sorrow and
sympathy for it, as he saw such great wealth and comfort swept away in
a few hours; for the treasure was said to be not less than that which
was afterwards taken in Carthage itself. The rest of the city was
taken after a short time by treachery, and the soldiers insisted upon
plundering it, with the exception of the royal treasury, which was
confiscated to the state.

Marcellus was especially grieved at the fate of Archimedes. He was
studying something by himself upon a figure which he had drawn, to
which he had so utterly given up his thoughts and his sight that he
did not notice the assault of the Romans and the capture of the city,
and when a soldier suddenly appeared before him and ordered him to
follow him into the presence of Marcellus, he refused to do so before
he had finished his problem and its solution. The man hereupon in a
rage drew his sword and killed him. Others say that the Roman fell
upon him at once with a sword to kill him, but he, seeing him, begged
him to wait for a little while, that he might not leave his theorem
imperfect, and that while he was reflecting upon it, he was slain. A
th