Growing Hatred of Agathocles
Moreover, an action of Agathocles himself served to
heighten the anger of the multitude and of Tlepolemus. For
he took Danae, the latter's mother-in-law, from the temple of
Demeter, dragged her through the middle of the city unveiled,
and cast her into prison. His object in doing this was to
manifest his hostility to Tlepolemus; but its effect was to
loosen the tongues of the people. In their anger they no
longer confined themselves to secret murmurs: but some of
them in the night covered the walls in every part of the city
with pasquinades; while others in the day time collected in
groups and openly expressed their loathing for the government.
Seeing what was taking place, and beginning to fear the
worst, Agathocles at one time meditated making
his escape by secret flight; but as he had
nothing ready for such a measure, thanks to his
own imprudence, he had to give up that idea. At another
time he set himself to drawing out lists of men likely to assist
him in a bold coup d'état, by which he should put to death
or arrest his enemies, and then possess himself of absolute
power. While still meditating these plans he received information that Moeragenes, one of the body-guard, was
betraying all the secrets of the palace to Tlepolemus, and was
co-operating with him on account of his relationship with
Adaeus, at that time the commander of Bubastus. Agathocles
immediately ordered his secretary Nicostratus
to arrest Moeragenes, and extract the truth
from him by every possible kind of torture.
Being promptly arrested by Nicostratus, and taken to a retired
part of the place, he was at first examined directly as to the
facts alleged; but, refusing to confess anything, he was stripped.
And now some of the torturers were preparing their instruments, and others with scourges in their hands were just
taking off their outer garments, when just at that very moment
a servant ran in, and, whispering something in the ear of
Nicostratus, hurried out again. Nicostratus followed close
behind him, without a word, frequently slapping his thigh with
his hand.
