Greece -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
in with men who could deal hard blows they began to retire towards the
citadel. As they gave way the Greeks pressed upon them still more, until
at length they were driven in confusion into the citadel, after killing
seventy-four of Dion's party, and losing many of their own men.
XXXI. After this glorious victory the Syracusans presented the
mercenaries with a hundred minæ, and the mercenaries presented Dion
with a golden crown. Heralds from Dionysius now came from the citadel
bringing letters to Dion from his female relatives. One of these bore
the superscription "From Hipparinus to his father;" for this was the
name of Dion's son, although Timæus says that he was named Aretæus
after his mother Arete. But I imagine we ought rather to believe
Timonides in such matters as these, since he was a friend and comrade of
Dion. The other letters, those from the women, which were full of
piteous supplications, were read aloud to the Syracusans, but they were
unwilling that the letter from the child should be opened before them.
In spite of their opposition, Dion opened it and read it aloud. It was
from Dionysius himself, addressed nominally to Dion, but really to the
people of Syracuse, and though in it Dionysius seemed to appeal to Dion
and to plead his own cause with him, yet in truth it was concocted with
a view to rendering him suspected by the people; for it contained
allusions to his former zeal on behalf of the monarchy, and also
threatened him through the persons of those dearest to him, his sister,
his child and his wife. There were in the letter also pitiful
entreaties, and what especially moved him to anger, supplications to him
not to destroy the monarchy and set free a people which hated him and
would turn and rend him, but to become despot himself, and thus to save
his relatives and friends.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account