Chapter LXXXIII

SICILIAN AFFAIRS (_continued_). — FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
CARTHAGINIAN ARMY BY PESTILENCE BEFORE SYRACUSE, DOWN TO THE
DEATH OF DIONYSIUS THE ELDER. B. C. 394-367.

Frequent occurrence of pestilence among the Carthaginians, not
extending to the Greeks in Sicily. — Mutiny among the mercenaries
of Dionysius — Aristoteles their commander is sent away to
Sparta. — Difficulties of Dionysius arising from his mercenaries
— heavy burden of paying them. — Dionysius reëstablishes Messênê
with new inhabitants. — Conquests of Dionysius in the interior
of Sicily. — Alarm at Rhegium — Dionysius attacks the Sikel town
of Tauromenium — desperate defence of the Sikels — Dionysius
is repulsed and nearly slain. — Agrigentum declares against
Dionysius — reäppearance of the Carthaginian army under Magon. —
Expedition of Dionysius against Rhegium — he fails in surprising
the town — he concludes a truce for one year. — Magon again
takes the field at Agyrium — is repulsed by Dionysius — truce
concluded. — Dionysius again attacks Tauromenium — captures it,
drives out the Sikels, and plants new inhabitants. — Plans of
Dionysius against the Greek cities in Southern Italy — great
pressure upon these cities from the Samnites and Lucanians of
the interior. — Alliance contracted among the Italiot Greeks,
for defence both against the Lucanians and against Dionysius —
Dionysius allies himself with the Lucanians. — Dionysius attacks
Rhegium — the Rhegines save the Krotoniate fleet — fleet of
Dionysius ruined by a storm. — Defeat of the inhabitants of
Thurii by the Lucanians — Leptines with the fleet of Dionysius
off Läus — his conduct towards the survivors. — Fresh expedition
of Dionysius against the Italiot Greeks — his powerful armament
— he besieges Kaulonia. — United army of the Italiot Greeks
advances to relieve the place — their advanced guard is defeated,
and Helôris the general slain. — The whole army is defeated and
captured by Dionysius. — Generous lenity of Dionysius towards
the prisoners. — Dionysius besieges Rhegium — he grants to them
peace on severe terms. — He captures Kaulonia and Hipponium
— inhabitants transported to Syracuse — territory made over
to Lokri. — Artifices of Dionysius to impoverish and disarm
the Rhegines. — He besieges Rhegium — desperate defence of the
town under the general Phyton — Surrender of the place from
famine, after a blockade of eleven months. — Cruel treatment of
Phyton by Dionysius. — Strong sympathy excited by the fate of
Phyton. — Rhegium dismantled — all the territory of the southern
Calabrian peninsula united to Lokri. — Peace of Antalkidas —
ascendent position of Sparta and of Dionysius — Kroton conquered
by Dionysius — Splendid robe taken from the temple of Hêrê. —
Schemes of Dionysius for transmarine colonies and conquests, in
Epirus and Illyria. — Dionysius plunders the coast of Latium
and Etruria, and the rich temple of Agylla. — Immense power of
Dionysius — his poetical compositions. — Olympic festival of
384 B. C., the first after the peace of Antalkidas — Dionysius
sends thither a splendid legation — also chariots to run — and
poetical compositions to be recited. — Feelings of the crowd
at the festival — Dikon of Kaulonia. — Harangue of Lysias at
the festival against Dionysius, in reference to the political
state of the Grecian world, and the sufferings of the enslaved
Sicilians. — Hatred of the past, and fear of the future conquests
of Dionysius, both prevalent. — Lysias exhorts his hearers to
destroy the tents of the Syracusan legation at Olympia, as an
act of retribution against Dionysius. — Explosion of antipathy
against the poems of Dionysius recited at Olympia — insults
heaped upon his name and person. — Excessive grief, wrath, and
remorse, of Dionysius on hearing of this manifestation against
him — his suspicions and cruelties. — Marked and singular
character of the manifestation against Dionysius. — Plato visits
Syracuse — is harshly treated by Dionysius — acquires great
influence over Dion. — New constructions and improvements by
Dionysius at Syracuse. — Intention of Dionysius to renew the
war with Carthage. — War with Carthage — Victory of Dionysius
over the Carthaginian army under Magon. — Second battle with
the Carthaginians at Kronium, in which Dionysius is defeated
with terrible loss. — He concludes peace with Carthage, on terms
very unfavorable to himself: all the territory west of the
river Halykus is surrendered to Carthage: he covenants to pay
tribute to Carthage. — Affairs of Southern Italy: wall across the
Calabrian peninsula projected, but not executed. — Relations of
Dionysius with Central Greece. — New war undertaken by Dionysius
against Carthage. He is at first successful, but is ultimately
defeated near Lilybæum, and forced to return home. — Dionysius
gains the prize of tragedy at the Lenæan festival at Athens. His
joy at the news. He dies of fever soon afterwards. — Character of
Dionysius.
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