Chapter LXXXV

SICILIAN AFFAIRS DOWN TO THE CLOSE OF THE EXPEDITION OF TIMOLEON.
B. C. 353-336.

Position and prospects of Kallippus, after the assassination
of Dion. — He continues master of Syracuse more than a year.
His misrule. Return of Hipparinus son of Dionysius to Syracuse.
Expulsion of Kallippus. — Miserable condition of Syracuse
and Sicily, as described by Plato. — Plato’s recommendations
fruitless — state of Syracuse grows worse. Dionysius returns
to Ortygia, expelling Hipparinus. — Drunken habits of the
Dionysian princes. — Lokri — dependency and residence of the
younger Dionysius. — Sufferings of the Italiot Greeks from the
Lucanians and Bruttians of the interior. — Dionysius at Lokri
— his unpopularity and outrageous misrule — cruel retaliation
of the Lokrians upon his female relatives. — Distress of the
Syracusans — fresh danger from Carthage. They invoke the aid of
Hiketas — in concert with Hiketas, they send to entreat aid from
Corinth. Secret alliance of Hiketas with the Carthaginians — he
conspires to defeat the application to Corinth. — Application
from Syracuse favorably received by the Corinthians — vote
passed to grant aid. — Difficulty in finding a Corinthian leader
— most of the leading citizens decline — Timoleon is proposed
and chosen. — Antecedent life and character of Timoleon. — His
conduct towards his brother Timophanes, whose life he saves in
battle. — Timophanes makes himself despot, and commits gross
oppression — Timoleon with two companions puts him to death. —
Beneficial effects of the act upon Corinth — sentiment towards
Timoleon. — Bitter reproach of Timoleon by his mother. — Intense
mental distress of Timoleon. He shuts himself up and retires
from public life. — Different judgments of modern and ancient
minds on the act of Timoleon. Comments of Plutarch. — Timoleon
is appointed commander to Syracuse — he accepts the command —
admonition of Telekleides. — Preparations made by Timoleon —
his scanty means — he engages some of the Phokian mercenaries.
— Bad promise of the expedition — second message from Hiketas,
withdrawing himself from the Corinthian alliance, and desiring
that no troops might be sent to Sicily. — Timoleon sets out for
Sicily with a small squadron — favorable omens from the gods.
— Timoleon arrives at Rhegium — is prevented from reaching
Sicily by a Carthaginian fleet of superior force — insidious
message from Hiketas. — Stratagem of Timoleon to get across to
Sicily, in collusion with the Rhegines. — Public meeting in
Rhegium — Timoleon and the Carthaginians both present at it —
long speeches, during which Timoleon steals away, contriving
to send his fleet over to Sicily. — Timoleon at Tauromenium in
Sicily — formidable strength of his enemies — despots in Sicily
— despondency in Syracuse. — Success of Timoleon at Adranum. He
surprises and defeats the troops of Hiketas, superior in number.
— Improved position and alliances of Timoleon — he marches up to
the walls of Syracuse. — Position of Dionysius in Ortygia — he
resolves to surrender that fortress to Timoleon, stipulating for
safe conveyance and shelter at Corinth. — Timoleon sends troops
to occupy Ortygia, receiving Dionysius into his camp. — Timoleon
sends news of his success to Corinth, with Dionysius himself in a
trireme. — Great effect produced at Corinth — confidence of the
citizens — reinforcement sent to Timoleon. — Sight of the fallen
Dionysius at Corinth — impression made upon the Greeks — numerous
visitors to see him. Conversation with Aristoxenus. — Immense
advantage derived by Timoleon from the possession of Ortygia —
numerous stores found in it. — Large Carthaginian army under
Magon arrives to aid in attacking Ortygia. Defeated by Neon,
during the absence of Magon and Hiketas. Neon acquires Achradina,
and joins it by a line of wall to Ortygia. — Return of Magon and
Hiketas to Syracuse — increased difficulty of their proceedings,
since the victory of Neon. — Return of Timoleon to Syracuse —
fortunate march and arrival of the Corinthian reinforcement.
— Messênê declares in favor of Timoleon. — He establishes his
camp near Syracuse. — Magon distrusts Hiketas and his position
at Syracuse — he suddenly withdraws his army and fleet, leaving
Syracuse altogether. — Timoleon masters Epipolæ and the whole
city of Syracuse — Hiketas is obliged to escape to Leontini. —
Languid defence made by the troops of Hiketas. — Great effect
produced by the news that Timoleon was master of Syracuse. —
Extraordinary admiration felt towards Timoleon — especially for
the distinguished favor shown to him by the gods. — Timoleon
ascribes all his success to the gods. — Temptations of Timoleon
in the hour of success — easy possibility of making himself
despot of Syracuse. — Timoleon invited the Syracusans to demolish
the Dionysian stronghold in Ortygia. — He erects courts of
justice on the site. — Desolate condition of Syracuse and other
cities in Sicily. Recall of exiles. Application on the part of
Timoleon and the Syracusans to Corinth. — Commissioners sent from
Corinth to Syracuse — they revive the laws and democracy enacted
by Dioklês — but with various changes and additions. — Poverty at
Syracuse — necessity for inviting new colonists. — Large body of
new colonists assembled at Corinth for Sicily. — Influx of new
colonists into Sicily from all quarters. — Relief to the poverty
of Syracuse. — Successes of Timoleon against Hiketas, Leptines,
and other despots in Sicily — Hiketas invites the Carthaginians
again to invade Sicily. — The Carthaginians land in Sicily with
a vast army, including a large proportion of native troops. —
Timoleon marches from Syracuse against the Carthaginians — mutiny
of a portion of his mercenaries under Thrasius — Timoleon marches
into the Carthaginian province — omen about the parsley. — He
encounters the Carthaginian army while passing the Krimêsus.
War chariots in their front — Timoleon orders his cavalry to
charge. — Strenuous battle between the infantry of Timoleon and
the native Carthaginian infantry. Terrible storm — complete
victory of Timoleon. — Severe loss of the Carthaginians in the
battle, especially of their native troops. Booty collected by
the soldiers of Timoleon. — Discouragement and terror among the
defeated army as well as at Carthage itself. — Great increase of
glory to Timoleon — favor of the gods shown to him in the battle.
— Timoleon returns to Syracuse — he dismisses Thrasius and the
mercenaries who had deserted him — he sends them out of Sicily —
their fate. — Success of Timoleon against Hiketas and Mamerkus. —
Victory gained by Timoleon over Hiketas, at the river Damurias.
— Timoleon attacks Hiketas and Leontini. The place (with Hiketas
in person) is surrendered to Timoleon by the garrison. Hiketas
and his family are put to death. — Timoleon gains a victory over
Mamerkus — he concludes peace with the Carthaginians. — Timoleon
conquers and takes prisoners Mamerkus and Hippon. Mamerkus is
condemned by the Syracusan public assembly. — Timoleon puts
down all the despots in Sicily. — Timoleon lays down his power
at Syracuse. — Gratitude and reward to him by the Syracusans.
— Great influence of Timoleon, even after he had laid down his
power. — Immigration of new Greek settlers into Sicily, to
Gela, Agrigentum, Kamarina, etc. — Value and importance of the
moral ascendency enjoyed by Timoleon, in regulating these new
settlements. — Numerous difficulties which he would be called
upon to adjust. — Residence of Timoleon at Syracuse — chapel to
the goddess Automatia. — Arrival of the blind Timoleon in the
public assembly of Syracuse during matters of grave and critical
discussion. — Manner in which Timoleon bore contradiction in the
public assembly — his earnest anxiety to ensure freedom of speech
against himself. — Uncorrupted moderation and public spirit of
Timoleon. — Xenophontic ideal — command over willing free men —
qualities, positive as well as negative, of Timoleon. — Freedom
and comfort diffused throughout all Sicily for twenty-four years,
until the despotism of Agathokles. — Death and obsequies of
Timoleon. — Proclamation at his funeral — monument to his honor.
— Contrast of Dion and Timoleon.
128-197