Heracleides (admiral)
Heracleides (
We have little information as to the causes which led to his exile from Syracuse, but it may be inferred, from an expression of Plutarch[3] that he was suspected of conspiring with Dion of Syracuse and others to overthrow Dionysius: and it seems clear that he must have fled from Syracuse either at the same time with Dion and Dion's son Megacles, or shortly afterwards.
Having joined the other exiles in the
Dionysius was at this time shut up in the island citadel of Ortygia, and mainly dependent for his supplies upon the command of the sea. Philistus now approached to his relief with a fleet of 60 triremes, but he was encountered by Heracleides with a force about equal to his own; and after an obstinate combat, totally defeated. Philistus himself fell into the hands of the Syracusans, by whom he was put to death; and Dionysius, now almost despairing of success, soon after quitted Syracuse, leaving Apollocrates in charge of the citadel in 356 BC. The distinguished part which Heracleides had borne in these successes led him to contest with Dion the position of leader in those that remained to be achieved, and his pretensions were supported by a large party among the Syracusans themselves, who are said to have entertained less jealousy of his seeking to possess himself of the sovereign power than they felt in regard to Dion.[6][7]
Unfortunately our knowledge of the subsequent intrigues and dissensions between the two leaders is almost wholly derived from
Heracleides had been disabled by a wound; but he not only joined in sending messages to Dion, imploring his assistance, but immediately on his arrival placed himself in his power, and sued for forgiveness. This was readily granted by Dion, who was reinstated in his position of general autocrator, on the proposal of Heracleides himself, and in return bestowed upon the latter once more the sole command by sea. Yet the reconciliation was far from sincere: Heracleides, if we may believe the accounts of his enemies, withdrew, with the fleet under his command, to
The popularity of Heracleides was so great, and the grief and indignation of the Syracusans, on learning his death, broke forth with so much violence, that Dion was compelled to honor him with a splendid funeral, and to make a public oration in extenuation of his crime.[8][9][10]
Notes
- ^ Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica 16.6
- ^ Plutarch, Dio 32
- ^ Plutarch, Dio 12
- ^ Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica
- ^ Plutarch, Dio 32, 33
- ^ Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica
- ^ Plutarch, Dio 43
- ^ Plutarch, Dio 35-53
- ^ Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica 16.16-20
- ^ Cornelius Nepos, Life of Dion 5, 6
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