Dion of Syracuse facts for kids

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Dion (born 408 BC, died 354 BC) was an important leader from Syracuse in Sicily. He was the son of Hipparinus and the brother-in-law of Dionysius I, a powerful ruler. Dion was a student of the famous philosopher Plato. He became a trusted helper and advisor to Dionysius I.

However, Dion was very rich and believed strongly in Plato's ideas. He also wanted to be a leader himself. These things made Dionysius I's son, Dionysius II, suspicious of him. A secret letter Dion sent to the Carthaginians led to him being forced to leave Syracuse.

Dion moved to Athens and lived well until Dionysius II took away his land and money. In 357 BC, Dion returned to Sicily and successfully took over Syracuse, except for the main fortress. But Dion soon argued with another leader, Heraclides, and was forced to leave again. He was called back in 355 BC and became the master of the whole city. However, his bossy behavior and demands for money made the people dislike him. His supporters left him, and he was killed. Dion's efforts to free Sicily only caused more trouble and disorder on the island for almost 20 years.

Dion's Family Background
Dion as an Advisor to Dionysius I
Dion and Dionysius II's Conflict
Dion's Exile from Syracuse
Dion's Return and Rebellion
Dion's Leadership in Syracuse
Dion Regains Power in Syracuse
Dion's Assassination
See also

Dion's Family Background

Dion's father was Hipparinus, an important government official in Syracuse. Hipparinus had worked with Dionysius I in the Syracusan army. Dion also had a brother named Megacles and a sister named Aristomache.

Aristomache married Dionysius I. At the same time, Dionysius I also married Doris of Locris. Even though Dion's sister, Aristomache, was liked by the people of Syracuse, it was Doris who gave birth to Dionysius I's son and the next ruler, Dionysius II.

Aristomache had four children. One of her daughters, Sophrosyne, married Dionysius II. Another daughter, Arete, married Dion. Dion and Arete had a son named Hipparinus.

Dion as an Advisor to Dionysius I

Dion was a very trusted advisor to Dionysius I. He was given the most important tasks, especially dealing with Carthage. Dion was excellent at leading talks with Carthage. Dionysius I was so happy with Dion's advice that he allowed Dion to take money from the Syracusan treasury. However, Dionysius I wanted to know every day when Dion took money. Even with this rule, Dion became extremely rich and had a very fancy home. Still, Dion sometimes criticized Dionysius I.

Since he was young, Dion was very good at thinking and learning, especially in philosophy. In 387 BC, he convinced Dionysius I to invite Plato to Syracuse. Dion joined Plato's philosophy school and became a great student. He tried to teach Dionysius I about Plato's ideas. Dion arranged a meeting between Plato and Dionysius I, but it ended in an argument because Plato spoke against powerful rulers. Plato escaped being killed by Dionysius I's men but was later sold as a slave in Aegina. Despite this disagreement about Plato, Dion and Dionysius I remained close friends.

When Dionysius I was dying, Dion tried to talk to him about who would rule next. Dion hoped that Dionysius I would give control of Syracuse to him or his family. However, Dionysius I's doctors, who supported the younger Dionysius II, stopped Dion from influencing the dying ruler. When Dionysius II heard about Dion's plans, he purposely poisoned his father, who then died without saying another word.

Dion and Dionysius II's Conflict

Dionysius I had always been afraid that someone might secretly try to take his power. Because of this, he kept his son, Dionysius II, hidden inside the Syracusan fortress. As a result, Dionysius II grew up without the knowledge, skills, or strength needed to be a good leader. When Dionysius I died in 367 BC, Dionysius II became the new ruler. (From now on, when we say Dionysius, we mean Dionysius II, unless we say otherwise.) Some people believed that Dionysius II was not as strong as his father and listened too much to bad advisors who wanted to make Dion look bad.

When Dionysius II became the ruler of Syracuse, his entire court was made up of young people who didn't care about their political duties. Because of this, the government of Syracuse started to fall apart. With his many years of political experience, Dion effectively ran the city. Soon, the people of Syracuse believed that Dion was the only one who could save their city.

In Dionysius's court, Dion suggested a plan to deal with the ongoing threat from Carthage. Dion offered to either go to Carthage to find a peaceful solution or to pay for 50 new warships for Syracuse to fight the Carthaginians. Dionysius was happy with these ideas, but his advisors didn't like Dion's involvement. They told Dionysius that Dion was trying to replace him with someone from his sister Aristomache's family.

Dion thought that teaching Dionysius would solve Syracuse's problems. With his philosophy training, Dion began teaching Dionysius about philosophical ideas and how to govern well. He hoped to make Dionysius a "philosopher king." These lessons made Dionysius interested, so Plato was invited to Syracuse again. Even though it started well, this plan failed. Dion's opponents gained more influence over Dionysius, and a philosopher named Philistus was called back (he had been sent away by the elder Dionysius). Philistus then led the opposition against Dion.

Facing more and more opposition, Dion started to plan with generals Heracleides and Theodotes to overthrow Dionysius. They agreed to wait for political changes, but if that didn't happen, they would remove Dionysius. Dion eventually agreed with Heracleides to set up a full democracy, even though he didn't like this type of government because he came from a rich, noble family.

Still, Plato arrived and was welcomed with great excitement. People said that Plato's talks with Dionysius led to big changes in Dionysius's ideas and behavior. Then, during a traditional ceremony, Dionysius openly said that he no longer wanted to be a ruler.

Dion's Exile from Syracuse

When Dionysius said he no longer wanted to be a ruler, Philistus and his supporters became worried. They strongly argued to Dionysius that Dion was a great deceiver who planned to take control for his own nephews. Dionysius believed them and became hostile towards Dion.

The situation became very serious when Dionysius and Philistus found a letter Dion had sent to the Carthaginians. In the letter, Dion suggested that the Carthaginians should talk to him about a peace agreement, because he would tell them all of Syracuse's demands. Fearing a secret plan between Carthage and Dion, Dionysius pretended to be friends with Dion again. They walked to the seashore, where Dionysius showed Dion the letter. Without letting Dion explain himself, Dionysius immediately forced Dion to leave the city. Dion eventually went to Athens.

Plato was kept inside the fortress and treated very well as an important guest, so he wouldn't follow Dion. Later, when the war with Carthage started again, Dionysius allowed Plato to leave Syracuse. He promised Plato that Dion would be allowed to return to Syracuse the next summer.

Because of these events, people in Syracuse started to think that Aristomache, who was popular, might try to take power. Dionysius heard about this and tried to fix the situation. He publicly explained that Dion was temporarily in Athens so that he wouldn't cause a violent reaction against Dionysius. Dion was allowed to keep his land in Syracuse, so he still received his usual money. Also, Dionysius gave two ships to Dion's relatives so they could send his belongings to Athens.

So, Dion lived among the high society of Athens. He stayed with a noble Athenian named Calippus of Syracuse, whom he had met during the celebrations of the Eleusinian Mysteries. Dion also bought a country home for his free time. His closest friend was Speusippus.

Dionysius delayed Dion's return until the war with Carthage ended. Dionysius told Plato that Dion should not publicly criticize the Syracusan government. Dion listened, staying within the Athenian Academy and studying philosophy.

Later, Dion began traveling throughout Greece, meeting many local leaders. Dion was seen as a celebrity, and many Greek cities welcomed him. For example, the Spartans gave him citizenship, even though their city was at war with Thebes and was allied with Dionysius.

Dion's Return and Rebellion

Eventually, Dionysius decided to take all of Dion's property in Syracuse and stopped him from receiving money from his lands. Dionysius tried to improve his image by forcing Plato to visit him in Syracuse, threatening Dion if Plato refused. The famous philosopher returned to Syracuse, but soon he and Dionysius began arguing fiercely about Dion's future. Plato was jailed until an Athenian group arranged for his release. In his anger, Dionysius sold Dion's land (keeping the money) and forced Dion's wife (and niece) Arete to marry the ruler's close advisor, Timocrates.

In response, Dion decided to start a revolt in Syracuse against Dionysius and his supporters. Dion's closest friends told him that the people of Syracuse would eagerly join his revolt if he could just get to the city. They said Dion didn't need to bring weapons or soldiers.

Nevertheless, Dion managed to gather 800 soldiers from his Greek supporters. They met on the Greek island of Zacynthus. Dion promised the leaders of these hired soldiers that they would become commanders once they defeated Dionysius.

In 357 BC, Dion's fleet sailed for Sicily. Since his arrival was expected, Admiral Philistus had a fleet in Italian waters ready to stop him. So Dion sailed straight across the open sea. After 13 days, Dion's fleet reached Sicily at Pachynus. However, despite his own helmsman's advice, Dion sailed further along the southern coast of Sicily. There, the fleet was hit by a storm and almost crashed against the rocks near Cercina, in northern Africa. The fleet had to wait for five days until a good southerly wind brought it back to Sicily. Dion was then able to land in Carthaginian territory. Since he was a personal friend of the governor Synalus of Heraclea Minoa, the Carthaginians offered Dion's group a place to stay and plenty of supplies.

Having learned that Dionysius had sailed to Caulonia in Italy with 80 ships, Dion's soldiers insisted on taking action. So Dion led his troops towards Syracuse. On the road through Agrigento, Gela, Camarina, and the area around Syracuse, they were joined by 5,000 Sicilians who wanted to join the revolt. Near Akrai, Dion spread rumors that he would attack both Lentini and Campania. Dionysius's soldiers from these areas left Timocrates's forces to defend their towns. Then, during the night, Dion ordered his group to move forward, and at daybreak, Dion launched his attack.

When news of Dion's arrival spread, the people of Syracuse killed the ruler's supporters, and Timocrates had to flee. Dion led his army into Syracuse. He wore shining armor and a wreath on his head. Dion was joined by Megacles and Callipus. The local community leaders greeted them. Dion announced that Dionysius was no longer the ruler.

A week later, Dionysius returned to Syracuse. Protected by his loyal fleet, he managed to get into the Syracusan island fortress, which had not been captured because it was guarded by a large group of soldiers loyal to him. Dionysius tried to negotiate with Dion, but Dion replied that the now-free Syracusans should decide.

The people rejected Dionysius's offers, and Dion suggested he surrender. Dionysius accepted this idea and invited local representatives to his palace to discuss the details. However, it was a trick by Dionysius, and Dion's representatives were immediately captured after entering the palace.

The next day, Dionysius's army surprised and overwhelmed the many Syracusans who were surrounding the fortress. The Syracusans retreated in complete confusion. Because of the chaos, Dion could not give orders to everyone, so he and his men charged against Dionysius's troops. Dion was injured and fell to the ground but was rescued by his men. Dion got on a horse and rejoined his supporters. Dion's foreign soldiers were better fighters and forced Dionysius's men to retreat back into the fortress.

Dion's Leadership in Syracuse

After Dion defeated Dionysius's forces, Dion was chosen to lead Syracuse (along with his brother). Dionysius and his supporters were trapped in the fortress.

Because of his long connection with the previous rulers, it soon became clear to the people of Syracuse that Dion's political ideas were old-fashioned. He did not support the democratic changes that many Syracusan citizens wanted. Dion was not a person who could win the affection of the people, because his proud behavior pushed people away. He was also seen as too eager to tell the Syracusans how they should use their freedom. As a result, the Syracusans started to distrust Dion's intentions.

Dion soon argued with Heracleides, who formed his own political group. Heracleides was appointed admiral by the Syracuse assembly, which gave him more power in the city. However, Dion canceled this decision, saying that his own permission was needed. Then, Dion himself came forward to suggest Heracleides for the role of admiral.

Heracleides kept arguing for democratic changes. Later, when Philistus returned from Italy with his ships, Heracleides led a Syracusan fleet in a battle where Philistus's fleet was defeated, and Philistus was killed. The rivalry reached its peak after Heracleides failed to stop Dionysius from escaping Syracuse later. Dionysius's son, Apollocrates, was left to command the fortress.

Heracleides then suggested to the public assembly that:

Syracusan land should be divided equally among the citizens.
The foreign officers should lose their pay.
New commanders should be chosen.

Dion opposed these plans, but the Syracusans strongly reacted against what they saw as his unfair government, which relied heavily on unpopular foreign soldiers. The Syracusans removed him from his position as general and appointed 25 new generals, including Heracleides. They also refused to pay the Greek soldiers who had come with Dion to Syracuse. While Dion and his soldiers could have turned against the Syracusans, Dion decided to leave Syracuse. With his 3,000 foreign soldiers, he moved to Leontini.

At Leontini, Dion was well received, and his foreign soldiers were made local citizens. There, the Sicilian congress held a meeting, criticizing Syracuse. But the Syracusans replied that they preferred their current freedom instead of the rule of a single person.

Dion Regains Power in Syracuse

With Dion and his soldiers gone, the Syracusans decided to surround the island fortress where Dionysius's son, Apollocrates, and his group of soldiers lived. However, just as they were about to attack, more soldiers arrived. They were led by Nypsius, a man from Naples, who sailed his fleet into Syracuse's Great Harbor.

At first, the Syracusans seemed to be winning after Heracleides sailed out and won a sea battle against the fleet supporting Nypsius. When news of this victory spread, the people of Syracuse were overjoyed. The next day, while everyone in Syracuse was asleep, Nypsius and his troops came out of the fortress gates. They took control of important parts of the city and robbed the city as they pleased.

The Syracusans could not fight back effectively, so they sent a group to Leontini to meet with Dion. In response, Dion announced that his soldiers should get ready to march towards Syracuse that same night.

When he learned about Dion's coming, Nypsius ordered his men to burn the city. That night, the city of Syracuse burned, and many of its citizens were killed. The next day, Dion led his troops through the city, cheered by the local people. However, Nypsius's troops had hidden behind the destroyed wall of the fortress, and Dion's soldiers could not reach them. The Syracusans suddenly decided to charge the enemy. This ended when Nypsius and his men retreated back into the fortress, where many of Nypsius's soldiers were then captured. Nypsius somehow managed to escape from the city. Not long after, Dionysius's son Apollocrates, tired of the long siege, surrendered the island fortress to Dion. Dion's sister Aristomache, his wife Arete, and the young Hipparinus were freed.

The Syracusan assembly "begged Dion like a god with prayers" when he returned to Syracuse. However, some historians described these honors as being like those given to a hero.

In the next few days, most of Dion's opponents fled. Among the few who stayed was Heracleides, who asked for Dion's forgiveness. Dion's foreign soldiers suggested that Heracleides should be killed. However, Dion forgave him and agreed to an arrangement where Dion would be the general with full power on land, while Heracleides would remain admiral by sea.

The Syracusans began asking again for land to be divided and for democracy to be restored. However, Dion thought democracy was as bad a form of government as having a single ruler. Instead, he hoped to create a state based on Plato's ideas, with a ruling class and some democratic limits, along with a king and a council made up of nobles. Also, the people of Syracuse wanted the ruler's fortress to be torn down, but Dion allowed it to remain. Dion seemed to have no intention of letting the Syracusans manage their own affairs. His power was now only limited by his shared command with Heracleides.

Heracleides refused to join the noble council even after Dion invited him. Again, the popular leader started plotting. He protested because Dion had not destroyed the fortress and because he had brought in foreign politicians. Finally, Dion was convinced to agree to have Heracleides killed at his own home.

Even though Dion led the funeral for the popular leader, the killing was very much disliked by the people of Syracuse.

Dion's Assassination

Among those who had come with Dion from Greece to help free Syracuse was a student of Plato named Calippus.

From his exile, Dionysius had offered Calippus money to kill Dion, and Calippus had accepted. Calippus used the money from Dionysius to bribe some of Dion’s soldiers to switch sides. He then gained Dion’s trust by pretending to betray some of these soldiers to Dion. Dion then hired Calippus as a secret agent to find other plotters. So whenever Dion was told that Calippus was working against him, Dion simply thought that Calippus was doing his job as a spy.

Shortly after, Dion’s only son fell from a window and died. Dion’s wife, Arete, and sister, Aristomache, found out about Calippus’s plot against Dion. But Dion was still too sad about his son’s death and refused to do anything.

Arete and Aristomache continued to investigate Calippus's plot against Dion. When Calippus found out they were asking questions, he approached them and told them he was loyal and would prove it. They told him to take a very important oath, involving a ceremony in Persephone’s temple, which he took. After the ceremony, Calippus broke his promise and planned to kill Dion on the day celebrating the goddess Persephone.

On that day, Dion was celebrating at home with his friends. The killers were from Zacynthus. They wore light clothes and were unarmed. They walked into the house while other helpers began shutting all doors and windows. The soldiers attacked Dion, who was stabbed to death.

After Dion was killed, Calippus took power himself and ruled Syracuse for about a year. Then, Syracuse successfully revolted against his rule, and he was forced to leave the city.