Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/21

CONTENTS. XT sius in the Syracusan asembly against the generals, who are deposed by vote of the people, and Dionysius with others appointed in their room. Ambitious arts of Dionysius he intrigues against his colleagues, and frustrates all their proceedings. He procures a vote for restoring the Hermokratean exiles. Dionysius is sent with a Syracusan reinforce- ment to Gela. He procures the execution or banishment of the Geloan oligarchy. He returns to Syracuse with an increased force he accuses his colleagues of gross treason. Dionysius is named general, single- handed, with full powers. Apparent repentance of the people after the vote. Stratagem of Dionysius to obtain a vote ensuring to him a body of paid guards. March of Dionysius to Leontini. Dionysius estab- lishes himself at Syracuse as despot. Dionysius as despot the meana whereby he attained the power 383-446 CHAPTER LXXXII. BICILY DURING THE DESPOTISM OF THE ELDER DIONYSIUS AT SYRA- CUSE. Tmilkon with the Carthaginian army marches from Agrigentum to attack Gela. Brave defence of the Geloans Dionysius arrives with an army to relieve them. Plan of Dionysius for a general attack on the Cartha- ginian army. He is defeated and obliged to retreat. He evacuates Gela and Kamarina flight of the population of both places, which are taken and sacked by the Carthaginians. Indignation and charges of treachery against Dionysius. Mutiny of the Syracnsan horsemen they ride off to Syracuse, and declare against Dionysius. Their imprudence Dionysius master of Syracuse. Propositions of peace come from Imil kon. "Terms of peace. Collusion of Dionysius with the Carthaginians ; who confirm his dominion over Syracuse. Pestilence in the Carthaginian army. Near coincidence, in time, of this peace, with the victory of Ly- sander at JEgospotami sympathy of Sparta with Dionysius. De- pressed condition of the towns of Southern Sicily, from Cape Pachy- ims to Lilybieum. Strong position of Dionysius. Strong fortifications and other buildings erected by Dionysius, in and about Ortygia. He assigns houses in Ortygia to his soldiers and partisans he distributes the lands of Syracuse anew. Exorbitant exactions of Dionysius dis- content at Syracuse. Dionysius marches out of Syracuse against the Sikels mutiny of the Syracusan soldiers at Herbesa Dorikus the com- mander is slain. The Syracusan insurgents, with assistance from Rhe- gium and Messene', besiege Dionysius in Ortygia. Despair of Dionysius he applies to a body of Campanians in the Carthaginian service, for aid. He amuses the assailants with feigned submission arrival of the Campanians victory of Dionysius. Dionysius strengthens his despo- tism more than before assistance lent to him by the Spartan Aristus Nikoteles the Corinthian is put to death. He disarms the Syracusan citizens strengthens the fortifications of Ortygia augments his mer- cenary force. Dionysius conquers Naxns, Katana, and Leantini. Great power of Dionysius. Foundation of Alsesa by Archonides Reso- lution of Dionysius to make war upon Carthage. Locality of Syracuse danger to which the town had been exposed, in the Athenian siege. Additional fortifications made by Dionysius along the northern ridge of the cliffs of Epipoloc, up the Euryalus. Popularity of the work efforts made by all the Syracusans as well as by Dionysius himself. Prepara- tions of Dionysius for aggressive war against the Carthaginians. Im- provement in the behavior of Dionysius towards the Syracusans. His conciliatory offers to other Grecian cities in Sicily. Hostile sentiment of