an historian, surnamed Siculus because he was born at Argira in Sicily. He wrote a history of Egypt, Persia, Syria, Media, Greece, Rome, and Carthage; and it is said that he visited all the places of which he has made mention in his history. It was the labour of 30 years. He is, however, too credulous in some of his narrations; and often wanders far from the truth. He often dwells too long upon fabulous reports and trifling incidents; while events of the greatest importance to history are treated with brevity, and sometimes passed over in silence. He lived in the age of Julius Caesar and Augustus; and spent much time at Rome to procure information, and authenticate his historical narrations. This important work, which he composed in Greek, contained 40 books, of which there are only 15 remaining. The style is clear and neat, and very suitable to history. The best edition is that of Amsterdam, 1743, in 2 vols folio.