Chapter LXXXIV

SICILIAN AFFAIRS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE ELDER DIONYSIUS —
DIONYSIUS THE YOUNGER — AND DION.

Family left by Dionysius at his death. — Dion — his connection
with the Dionysian family. — Personal character of Dion. —
Plato, Dion, and the Pythagorean philosophers. — Extraordinary
influence of Plato upon Dion. — Dion learns to hate the Dionysian
despotism — he conceives large political and reformatory
views. — Alteration of habits in Dion — he brings Plato into
communication with Dionysius. — Dion maintains the good opinion
and confidence of Dionysius, until the death of the latter —
his visits to Peloponnesus. — Death of the elder Dionysius —
divergences of interest between the two lines of family. —
The younger Dionysius succeeds his father — his character. —
Conduct of Dion — he submits to the younger Dionysius — gives
him frank and wholesome advice. — Dion acquires great influence
and estimation from Dionysius. — Recall of Philistus from exile.
— Dion tries to work upon the mind of Dionysius towards a freer
political government and mental improvement. — His earnest
exhortations produced considerable effect, inspiring Dionysius
with a strong desire to see and converse with Plato. — Invitation
sent to Plato, both by Dion and by Dionysius. — Hesitation of
Plato — he reluctantly consents to visit Syracuse. — Plato visits
Syracuse — unbounded deference and admiration manifested towards
him at first by Dionysius — Fear and hatred felt by Philistus
and other courtiers. — Injudicious manner in which Plato dealt
with Dionysius. — Strenuous exhortations addressed by Plato
and Dion to Dionysius, to reform himself. — Plato damps the
inclination of Dionysius towards Political good. — If Plato had
tried to impel Dionysius towards a good practical use of his
power, Dionysius might at that time have obeyed him with the aid
of Dion. — Difficulties which they would have encountered in
trying to realize beneficent projects. — Intrigues by Philistus
and others to set Dionysius against Plato and Dion. — Relations
between Dionysius and Dion — natural foundation for jealousy
on the part of Dionysius. — Dionysius loses his inclinations
towards political improvements — comes to hate Dion. — Banishment
of Dion from Syracuse to Italy. — Dionysius retains Plato in
the acropolis, but treats him well, and tries to conciliate his
esteem. — He dismisses Plato — then recalls him — second visit
of Plato to Syracuse — his dissatisfaction — Dionysius refuses
to recall Dion. — Dionysius confiscates the property of Dion —
mortification of Plato, who with difficulty obtains leave to
depart from Syracuse. — Resolution of Dion to avenge himself on
Dionysius, and to force his way back to Syracuse by arms. — Plato
rejoins Dion in Peloponnesus — exasperation of Dion — Dionysius
gives his sister Aretê, the wife of Dion, in marriage to
Timokrates. — Means of auxiliaries of Dion — Plato — the Academy
— Alkimenes. Dion musters his force at Zakynthus. — Small force
of Dion against the prodigious power of Dionysius. Resolution of
Dion to conquer or perish. — Circumstances which told against
Dionysius — discontent at Syracuse. — Herakleides exiled from
Syracuse — he projects an attack upon Dionysius, at the same
time as Dion. — Weakness of character — dissolute and drunken
habits — of Dionysius himself. — Alarm of the soldiers of Dion
at Zakynthus, when first informed that they were going against
Dionysius. — Eclipse of the moon — religious disquietude of the
soldiers — they are reassured by the prophet Miltas — fortunate
voyage from Zakynthus to Sicily. — Dion lands at Herakleia —
he learns that Dionysius with a large fleet has just quitted
Syracuse for Italy. — March of Dion from Herakleia to Syracuse.
— Dion crosses the river Anapus, and approaches the gates of
Syracuse. — Mistake of Timokrates, left as governor of Syracuse
in the absence of Dionysius. — General rising of the Syracusans
to welcome and assist Dion. Timokrates is obliged to evacuate the
city, leaving Ortygia and Epipolæ garrisoned. — Entry of Dion
into Achradina — joy of the citizens — he proclaims liberty. —
Dion presents himself at the Pentapyla in front of Ortygia —
challenges the garrison of Ortygia to come out and fight — is
chosen general by the Syracusans, with his brother Megakles.
— Dion captures Epipolæ and Euryalus. He erects a cross-wall
from sea to sea, to block up Ortygia. — Return of Dionysius to
Syracuse. He tries to negotiate with Dion and the Syracusans —
deceives them by fallacious propositions. — Sudden sally made
by Dionysius to surprise the blockading wall — great bravery,
efforts, and danger of Dion — he at length repulses the attack
and recovers the wall. — Ortygia is again blocked up by land —
efforts of Dionysius with his fleet — arrival of Herakleides
from Peloponnesus with a fleet to coöperate against Dionysius.
— Arrival of Philistus with his fleet to the aid of Dionysius.
Battle in the Great Harbor between the fleet of Philistus and
that of the Syracusans — Philistus is defeated and slain. —
Intrigues of Dionysius against Dion in Syracuse. — Relationship
of Dion to the Dionysian dynasty — suspicions entertained
against him by the Syracusans — his haughty manners. Rivalry of
Herakleides. — Herakleides is named admiral. Dion causes him to
be deposed, and then moves himself for his re-appointment. —
Intrigues and calumnies raised against Dion in Syracuse, by the
management of Dionysius. — Mistrust of Dion by the Syracusans,
mainly in consequence of his relationship to the Dionysian
family. Calumnies of Sôsis. — Farther propositions of Dionysius.
He goes away from Ortygia to Italy, leaving his son Apollokrates
in command of the garrison. — Increased dissension between Dion
and Herakleides — Dion is deposed and his soldiers deprived of
the pay due to them — new generals are named. — Dion is forced
to retreat from Syracuse — bad conduct of the new generals and
of the people towards his soldiers. — Dion reaches Leontini —
the Leontines stand by him against the Syracusans — arrival
of Nypsius with a reinforcement to the Dionysian garrison in
Ortygia. — Advantage gained by Herakleides and the Syracusans
over Nypsius as he came into Ortygia — extravagant confidence in
Syracuse — Nypsius sallies from Ortygia, and forces his way into
Neapolis and Achradina. — Danger and distress of the Syracusans
— they send to Leontini to invoke the aid of Dion. — Assembly at
Leontini — pathetic address of Dion. — Reluctance of Herakleides
to let Dion into Syracuse — renewed assault from Nypsius —
unanimous prayers now sent to invite Dion. — Entrance of Dion
into Syracuse — he draws up his troops on Epipolæ. Frightful
condition of the city. — Dion drives back Nypsius and his
troops into Ortygia — he extinguishes the flames, and preserves
Syracuse. — Universal gratitude on the part of the Syracusans,
towards Dion. Herakleides and Theodotes throw themselves upon his
mercy. — Dion pardons Herakleides — his exposition of motives. —
Remarkable features in this act of Dion. — Dion re-establishes
the blockade of Ortygia, and ransoms the captives taken. — Dion
is named general on land, at the motion of Herakleides, who is
continued in his command of the fleet. — Attempt to supersede
Dion through Gæsylus the Spartan — good conduct of Gæsylus. —
Surrender of Ortygia by Apollokrates to Dion. — Entry of Dion
into Ortygia — restoration of his wife — speedy death of his
son. — Conduct of Dion in the hour of triumph. — Suspicions
previously entertained respecting Dion — that he was aiming at
the despotism for himself — confirmed by his present conduct. —
He retains his dictatorial power, with the fortress and garrison
of Ortygia — he grants no freedom to Syracuse. — Intention of
Dion to constitute himself king, with a Lykurgean scheme of
government and discipline. — Mistake of Dion as to his position.
— Dion takes no step to realise any measure of popular liberty.
— Opposition raised against Dion by Herakleides — impatience of
the Syracusans to see the demolition of the Dionysian strongholds
and funeral monument. — Dion causes Herakleides to be privately
slain. — Increased oppressions of Dion — hatred entertained
against him in Syracuse. — Disquietude and irritability of Dion
on account of his unpopularity. — Conspiracy of Kallippus
against him — artifices and perjury. — Kallippus causes Dion to
be assassinated. — Life, sentiments, and altered position, of
Dion.
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