Hermocrates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hermocrates
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| Native name |
Ἑρμοκράτης
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| Born | unknown |
| Died | c. 407 BC |
| Allegiance | Syracuse |
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Hermocrates (/hɜːrˈmɒkrəˌtiːz/; Greek: Ἑρμοκράτης, translit. Hermokrátēs, around 5th century – 407 BC) was an important general from Syracuse. He lived during the time when the Athenians tried to conquer Sicily in a big war called the Peloponnesian War. Hermocrates is also known because he appears as a character in two famous books by Plato, called Timaeus and Critias.
Contents
Hermocrates' Early Life and Role in Sicily
The first time we hear about Hermocrates is from an ancient writer named Thucydides. This was in 424 BC at a meeting in a place called Gela. Hermocrates gave a speech there. He wanted the Greek cities in Sicily to stop fighting each other. He urged them to unite against the Athenians. The Athenians had been attacking Sicilian cities that supported Corinth.
Facing the Athenian Invasion
In 415 BC, Athens sent a huge fleet of ships and soldiers to conquer Sicily. This event is known as the Sicilian Expedition. Hermocrates knew this was a big threat. He worked hard to get more allies to fight against Athens. He sent messengers to places like Sparta, Corinth, Carthage, and Italy.
The Athenians managed to set up a base in Catania. They even defeated the Syracusans in a battle near the Anapus river. Hermocrates then suggested making Syracuse's city walls stronger. He also changed how the army was led. Instead of fifteen generals, he pushed for only three to lead the war. He was chosen as one of these three top generals, called strategoi, for Syracuse. He also convinced the people of Camarina, who were friends with Athens, to stay neutral.
Challenges and Victories
Hermocrates didn't have much success in early battles. Because of this, he was removed from his position as a strategos. However, he soon became a very important adviser to the Spartan general Gylippus. Gylippus arrived in Sicily to help Syracuse. Together, Hermocrates and Gylippus led the Syracusan soldiers. They achieved a great victory over Athens during its siege of Syracuse. After the Athenian army was defeated, Hermocrates suggested treating the prisoners of war kindly. But his advice was not followed.
In 412 BC, Syracuse sent ships to help their Spartan allies. They were fighting the Athenians in the east. Hermocrates was made an admiral and led the Syracusan ships. They had several small fights against Athenian ships. However, they suffered a big defeat during the Battle of Cyzicus. Sparta and its allies were completely beaten.
Because of this defeat, Hermocrates was blamed by his political rivals back in Syracuse. He was banned from Syracuse while he was away, which is called being banned in absentia.
Return and Final Battle
While Hermocrates was in exile, a war broke out in Sicily. It was between the city of Selinunte and its rival, Segesta, which was allied with Athens. Segesta couldn't get help from Athens, so they asked Carthage for help. In 410 BC, a Carthaginian general named Hannibal Mago invaded Sicily.
Hermocrates organized an army and managed to push back the Carthaginians. But back in Syracuse, there were riots. People were divided between those who supported Hermocrates and those who thought he wanted to become a dictator. He was killed in a street fight in 407 BC.
Hermocrates in Literature
Hermocrates is one of the characters in Plato's famous books, Timaeus and Critias. Plato might have even planned to write a third book named Hermocrates, but it was never finished.
One writer, F. M. Cornford, thought it was interesting why Plato chose Hermocrates. In the books, another character, Critias, tells a story about ancient Athens defeating an invasion from Atlantis. Hermocrates, in real life, was known for stopping Athens' own big attempt to expand its power.
Hermocrates is also mentioned by other ancient writers like Xenophon, Plutarch, and Polyaenus. He also appears as a character in an ancient Greek novel called Chaereas and Callirhoe. In this story, he is the father of Callirhoe, who is one of the main characters.
See also
- List of speakers in Plato's dialogues
