Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 24
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

21. The Romans, inasmuch as a war that was by no means to be despised was breaking out in Sicily, and the death of the tyrant had given energetic commanders to the Syracusans, and had not changed the situation or their feelings, assigned that country to Marcus Marcellus, one of the consuls, as his province. [2] Directly after the assassination of Hieronymus there was at first an uproar among the soldiers at Leontini, and a fierce outcry that they must offer sacrificial vengeance to the dead king in the blood of the conspirators. [3] Later the frequent mention of restored freedom —a word sweet to the ears —and [4] the hope of a largess out of the king's money, and of serving under better generals, also the enumeration of the shameful crimes and still more shameful lusts of the tyrant, so changed their feelings that they allowed the body of the king, whose loss they had just been regretting, to lie unburied. [5] Although the rest of the conspirators had remained, in order to keep their hold on the army, Theodotus¹ and Sosis hastened to [p. 243]Syracuse on the king's horses at the greatest possible² speed, to surprise his supporters while they were in complete ignorance. [6] However, not only rumour, than which nothing is swifter in such cases, but also a messenger, one of the royal slaves, had anticipated them. And so Adranodorus had garrisoned the Island³ and the citadel and such other places as were possible and of advantage. [7] By the Hexapylon⁴ after sunset Theodotus and Sosis rode into the city in the twilight, showing the bloody garment of the king and his diadem. Then riding across the quarter of Tycha, and calling people to freedom and at the same time to arms, they bid them assemble in Achradina.⁵ [8] Of the populace some dash into the streets, some stand before the entrance to their houses, some look out from roofs and windows and keep asking what it means. [9] Everywhere there are bright lights, every place filled with mingled noises. The armed gather in open spaces; those without arms take down from the Temple of Olympian Jupiter⁶ the spoils of Gauls and Illyrians, presented by the Roman people to Hiero and hung up there by him. [10] And this they did with a prayer to Jupiter that he graciously consent to furnish consecrated arms to men arming themselves for their native city, for the temples of the gods, for liberty. [11] This crowd also was added to the guard stationed by the leading citizens of the quarters. On the Island Adranodorus had garrisoned, among other positions, the public granaries. [12] This place, which was walled about with squared stone and made strong like a citadel, was captured by the young [p. 245]men who had been assigned to its defence; and they⁷ sent messengers into Achradina to say that the granaries and the grain were under the authority of the senate.⁸