Dion
409–354 BC
 |
| THE PEOPLE ALL HOOTED |
Dion, tyrant of Syracuse (408-353
B.
C.), the son of Hipparinus, and brother-in-law of Dionysius the Elder. In his
youth he was an admirer and pupil of Plato, whom Dionysius had invited to Syracuse; and he used every effort to
inculcate the maxims of his master in the mind of the tyrant. The stern morality of Dion was distasteful to the
younger Dionysius, and the historian Philistus, a faithful supporter of despotic power, succeeded in procuring
his banishment on account of alleged intrigues with the Carthaginians. The exiled philosopher retired to Athens,
where he was at first permitted to enjoy his revenues in peace; but the intercession of Plato (who had again
visited Syracuse to procure Dion's recall) only served to exasperate the tyrant, and at length provoked him
to confiscate the property of Dion, and give his wife to another. This last outrage roused Dion. Assembling a
small force at Zacynthus, he sailed to Sicily (357
B.
C.) and was received with demonstrations of joy. Dionysius,
who was in Italy, returned to Sicily, but was defeated and obliged to flee. Dion himself was soon after
supplanted by the intrigues of Heracleides, and again banished. The incompetency of the new leader and
the cruelties of Apollocrates, the son of Dionysius, soon led to his recall. He had, however, scarcely made
himself master of Sicily when the people began to express their discontent with his tyrannical conduct,
and he was assassinated by Callippus, an Athenian who had accompanied him in his expedition.
—Excerpted from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Key events during the life of Dion:
| Year |
Event |
| 385 BC |
Plato's first visit to Sicily. Befriends and teaches Dion. |
| 367 BC |
Dionysius I dies. Dion becomes regent for his son. |
| |
Plato's second visit to Sicily as a tutor for Dionysius II. |
| |
Dion is exiled to Athens. |
| 361 BC |
Plato's third visit to Sicily to plead for his friend Dion. |
| 357 BC |
Returned to Sicily with a fleet, and overthrew Dionysius II. |
| 353 BC |
Murdered by Callippus, one of his generals. |
Other Resources
| Contemporary |
Short Biography |
| Dionysius the Elder |
From humble origins, arose to become Tyrant of the city of Syracuse. |
| Dionysius the Younger |
Continued tyrannical reign in Syracuse after the death of his father; student of Plato, overthrown by Dion. |
| Plato |
Writer of moral philosophy. Well known for 'Dialogues'. Student of Socrates. |
| Heraclides |
General of Syracuse who plotted to take control of the city. |