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Dionysius (c. 432- 367 BC), tyrant of Syracuse, began life as a clerk in a public office, but by courage and diplomacy succeeded in making himself supreme.

He carried on war with Carthage with varying success; his attempts to drive the Carthaginians entirely out of the island (Sicily) failed, and at his death they were masters of at least a third of it. He also carried on an expedition against Rhegium and its allied cities in Magna Graecia. In one campaign, in which he was joined by the Lucanians, he devastated the territories of Thurii, Croton and Locri.

After a protracted siege he took Rhegium ( 386), and sold the inhabitants as slaves. He joined the Illyrians in an attempt to plunder the temple of Delphi, pillaged the temple of Caere on the Etruscan coast, and founded several military colonies on the Adriatic. In the Peloponnesian War he espoused the side of the Spartans, and assisted them with mercenaries.

His name is most well known for the legends of Damocles and PythiasIn Greek mythology, Pythias was a friend of Damon. Dionysius condemned Pythias to death. He allowed Pythias to leave to settle his affairs first, as long as Damon, Pythias' friend, agreed to stay as hostage. Damon did so. When Pythias returned as promised.

He also posed as an author and patron of literature; his poems, severely criticized by PhiloxenusPhiloxenus of Cythera ( 435- 380 BC) was a Greek dithyrambic poet. On the conquest of the island by the Athenians he was taken as a prisoner of war to Athens, where he came into the possession of the dithyrambic poet Melanippides, who educated him and set, were hissed at the Olympic games; but having gained a prize for a tragedy on the Ransom of Hector at the Lenaea at Athens, he was so elated that he engaged in a debauch which proved fatal.

According to others, he was poisoned by his physicians at the instigation of his son. His life was written by PhilistusPhilistus Greek historian of Sicily, was born at Syracuse about the beginning of the Peloponnesian War ( 432 BC). He was a faithful supporter of the elder Dionysius, and commander of the citadel. In 386 he excited the jealousy of the tyrant by secretly ma, but the work is not extant. Dionysius was regarded by the ancients as a type of the worst kind of despot--cruel, suspicious and vindictive. Like PisistratusIn Greek mythology, Pisistratus (also transliterated as Peisistratos was a friend of Telemachus and a son of Nestor. Odyssey III, 36, 400. Pisistratus (also Peisistratus, Peistratus or Pesistratus) (c. 607 528 BC) was a Greek statesman who became the Tyra, he was fond of having distinguished literary men about him, such as the historian Philistus, the poet Philoxenus, and the philosopher PlatoFor the computing technology, see PLATO System. Plato ( Greek: Platon (c. 427 BC c. 347 BC) was an immensely influential classical Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, writer, and founder of the Academy in Athens. Plato, who is be, but treated them in a most arbitrary manner.

See Diod. Sic.Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian, born at Agyrium in Sicily (now called Agira, in the province of Enna). Jerome dates Diodorus' floruit to 49 BC Chronica s. Abraham 1968), which is supported by Diodorus' own statements. The earliest date Diodorus me xiiL, xiv., xv.; J Bass, Dionysius I von Syrakus (Vienna, 1881).

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica