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Story
July 21, 1823
The Alexandria Herald
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Philip of Macedon deceives the people of Prinassus into surrendering by faking a mining operation under their walls with noise, secret earth mounds, and a false threat of collapse, despite rocky ground preventing real undermining.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Miscellaneous.
Philip of Macedon won Prinassus by the following stratagem. He attempted first to undermine the city, but found the ground so rocky as to resist his most vigorous and repeated efforts. He still however, persevered, and commanded his pioneers to make more than ordinary bustle and noise below ground. In the night he caused earth to be secretly brought from a distance, and raised enormous mounds at the entrance of the mine, in order to inspire the besieged with the belief that the work went forward with astonishing rapidity. At length he informed the townsmen, that two acres of their wall were undermined, and stood upon wooden props, to which if he set fire and entered by a breach, they might expect no mercy.
The Prinassians were deceived, and surrendered at discretion to an enemy, who could not with his utmost exertions, have taken the town by real force.
Philip of Macedon won Prinassus by the following stratagem. He attempted first to undermine the city, but found the ground so rocky as to resist his most vigorous and repeated efforts. He still however, persevered, and commanded his pioneers to make more than ordinary bustle and noise below ground. In the night he caused earth to be secretly brought from a distance, and raised enormous mounds at the entrance of the mine, in order to inspire the besieged with the belief that the work went forward with astonishing rapidity. At length he informed the townsmen, that two acres of their wall were undermined, and stood upon wooden props, to which if he set fire and entered by a breach, they might expect no mercy.
The Prinassians were deceived, and surrendered at discretion to an enemy, who could not with his utmost exertions, have taken the town by real force.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Philip Of Macedon
Stratagem
Prinassus
Deception
Siege
Surrender
What entities or persons were involved?
Philip Of Macedon
Prinassians
Where did it happen?
Prinassus
Story Details
Key Persons
Philip Of Macedon
Prinassians
Location
Prinassus
Story Details
Philip attempts to undermine Prinassus but faces rocky ground; he fakes progress with noise and secret mounds, then threatens to burn props under two acres of wall, leading to surrender.