CHAPTER LXXXIII.

SICILIAN AFFAIRS (_continued_). — FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF THE

CARTHAGINIAN ARMY BY PESTILENCE BEFORE SYRACUSE, DOWN TO THE

DEATH OF DIONYSIUS THE ELDER. B. C. 394-367.

Frequent occurrence of pestilence among the Carthaginians, not

extending to the Greeks in Sicily. — Mutiny among the mercenaries

of Dionysius — Aristoteles their commander is sent away to

Sparta. — Difficulties of Dionysius arising from his mercenaries

— heavy burden of paying them. — Dionysius reëstablishes Messênê

with new inhabitants. — Conquests of Dionysius in the interior

of Sicily. — Alarm at Rhegium — Dionysius attacks the Sikel town

of Tauromenium — desperate defence of the Sikels — Dionysius

is repulsed and nearly slain. — Agrigentum declares against

Dionysius — reäppearance of the Carthaginian army under Magon. —

Expedition of Dionysius against Rhegium — he fails in surprising

the town — he concludes a truce for one year. — Magon again

takes the field at Agyrium — is repulsed by Dionysius — truce

concluded. — Dionysius again attacks Tauromenium — captures it,

drives out the Sikels, and plants new inhabitants. — Plans of

Dionysius against the Greek cities in Southern Italy — great

pressure upon these cities from the Samnites and Lucanians of

the interior. — Alliance contracted among the Italiot Greeks,

for defence both against the Lucanians and against Dionysius —

Dionysius allies himself with the Lucanians. — Dionysius attacks

Rhegium — the Rhegines save the Krotoniate fleet — fleet of

Dionysius ruined by a storm. — Defeat of the inhabitants of

Thurii by the Lucanians — Leptines with the fleet of Dionysius

off Läus — his conduct towards the survivors. — Fresh expedition

of Dionysius against the Italiot Greeks — his powerful armament

— he besieges Kaulonia. — United army of the Italiot Greeks

advances to relieve the place — their advanced guard is defeated,

and Helôris the general slain. — The whole army is defeated and

captured by Dionysius. — Generous lenity of Dionysius towards

the prisoners. — Dionysius besieges Rhegium — he grants to them

peace on severe terms. — He captures Kaulonia and Hipponium

— inhabitants transported to Syracuse — territory made over

to Lokri. — Artifices of Dionysius to impoverish and disarm

the Rhegines. — He besieges Rhegium — desperate defence of the

town under the general Phyton — Surrender of the place from

famine, after a blockade of eleven months. — Cruel treatment of

Phyton by Dionysius. — Strong sympathy excited by the fate of

Phyton. — Rhegium dismantled — all the territory of the southern

Calabrian peninsula united to Lokri. — Peace of Antalkidas —

ascendent position of Sparta and of Dionysius — Kroton conquered

by Dionysius — Splendid robe taken from the temple of Hêrê. —

Schemes of Dionysius for transmarine colonies and conquests, in

Epirus and Illyria. — Dionysius plunders the coast of Latium

and Etruria, and the rich temple of Agylla. — Immense power of

Dionysius — his poetical compositions. — Olympic festival of

384 B. C., the first after the peace of Antalkidas — Dionysius

sends thither a splendid legation — also chariots to run — and

poetical compositions to be recited. — Feelings of the crowd

at the festival — Dikon of Kaulonia. — Harangue of Lysias at

the festival against Dionysius, in reference to the political

state of the Grecian world, and the sufferings of the enslaved

Sicilians. — Hatred of the past, and fear of the future conquests

of Dionysius, both prevalent. — Lysias exhorts his hearers to

destroy the tents of the Syracusan legation at Olympia, as an

act of retribution against Dionysius. — Explosion of antipathy

against the poems of Dionysius recited at Olympia — insults

heaped upon his name and person. — Excessive grief, wrath, and

remorse, of Dionysius on hearing of this manifestation against

him — his suspicions and cruelties. — Marked and singular

character of the manifestation against Dionysius. — Plato visits

Syracuse — is harshly treated by Dionysius — acquires great

influence over Dion. — New constructions and improvements by

Dionysius at Syracuse. — Intention of Dionysius to renew the

war with Carthage. — War with Carthage — Victory of Dionysius

over the Carthaginian army under Magon. — Second battle with

the Carthaginians at Kronium, in which Dionysius is defeated

with terrible loss. — He concludes peace with Carthage, on terms

very unfavorable to himself: all the territory west of the

river Halykus is surrendered to Carthage: he covenants to pay

tribute to Carthage. — Affairs of Southern Italy: wall across the

Calabrian peninsula projected, but not executed. — Relations of

Dionysius with Central Greece. — New war undertaken by Dionysius

against Carthage. He is at first successful, but is ultimately

defeated near Lilybæum, and forced to return home. — Dionysius

gains the prize of tragedy at the Lenæan festival at Athens. His

joy at the news. He dies of fever soon afterwards. — Character of

Dionysius.

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