Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 25
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

25. Holding the gates and walls of Achradina were chiefly deserters, who had no hope of pardon if terms were made. They did not allow the men either to approach the walls or to speak to any one. [2] And so Marcellus, now that this attempt was fruitless, ordered the standards to be carried back to Euryalus. This is a hill¹ in the most distant part of the city, facing away from the sea, and commanding the road which leads to the country and the interior of the island, very conveniently placed for receiving supplies. [3] In command of this citadel² was Philodemus the Argive, posted there by Epicydes. Sosis, one of the slayers [p. 439]of the tyrant, was sent to him by Marcellus, and after³ being balked and put off by the delivery of a long speech, he reported to Marcellus that Philodemus had taken time to consider. [4] Philodemus was postponing from day to day, waiting for Hippocrates and Himilco to move up their camp and legions, and not doubting that, if he should get them into the citadel, the Roman army, shut up within the city walls, could be destroyed. [5] Consequently Marcellus, seeing that Euryalus could neither be won by surrender nor by assault, pitched his camp between Neapolis and Tycha, these being the names of quarters of the city, virtually cities in themselves. For he feared that, if he should enter thickly settled parts, the soldiers in their eagerness for booty could not be restrained from scattering. [6] To this camp came legates from Tycha and Neapolis with fillets and woollen bands,⁴ praying that they be spared bloodshed and fires. [7] Marcellus held a council in regard to their prayers —such they were rather than demands —and with the approval of all gave an order to the soldiers that no one should injure a free person; everything else would be spoil. [8] The camp was enclosed by bricks from house-walls⁵ to serve as a wall of defence. At those camp gates which opened toward the streets outposts and detachments were stationed by Marcellus, that no attack upon the camp might occur while the soldiers were [9] dispersed. Then at a given signal the soldiers scattered. And although doors were forced and everywhere were the sounds of panic and uproar, they nevertheless refrained from bloodshed. To plundering there was no limit until they had carried away all the possessions accumulated in a long-continued [10] [p. 441]prosperity. Meanwhile even Philodemus, having⁶ no hope of assistance and receiving assurance that he might return unharmed to Epicydes, led his garrison out and surrendered the hill to the [11] Romans. While the attention of all was diverted in the direction of the uproar of a city in part captured, Bomilcar, favoured by such a night that on account of a violent storm the Roman fleet could [12??] not ride at anchor in open water, came out of the harbour of Syracuse with thirty-five ships, and with no enemy to prevent, put to sea, leaving fifty-five ships to Epicydes and the [13] Syracusans. And after informing the Carthaginians how critical was the situation at Syracuse, he returned after a few days with a hundred ships. He was presented with many gifts, it is reported, by Epicydes out of the royal treasures of Hiero.