[5] The Cyrenean troops, left without a leader, went over to Agathocles.[3]. But no matter how they died, their diverse origins show how different tyrants were to conventional kings. His reign over Syracuse was a surprisingly peaceful time in the city’s history and he was able to undertake a number of building projects which helped to improve the lives of his subjects. Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? The Astronaut of Casar Is An Unsolved Mystery, But Can We Explain It? This victory was ‘third time’ lucky for Agathocles and he was finally successful in overthrowing the oligarchy in Syracuse.

He was described as behaving as a criminal at every stage of his career. He was a born leader of mercenaries, and, although he did not shrink from cruelty to gain his ends, he afterwards showed himself a mild and popular "tyrant". Unfortunately, this also meant the lifetime of work he had spent keeping Carthage at bay after he removed the oligarchy was undone. Via +1 817 953 0426. Whichever your reason may is, it is valid! [1], In 317 BC he returned with an army of mercenaries under a solemn oath to observe the democratic constitution which was established after they took the city. Thomas More never comes to terms with violence, only assuming, for example, that individuals defeated by the Utopians will accept the result. support@usacustomwritings.com (Soerfm / CC BY-SA 2.0 ). Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Agathocles Tyrant of Syracuse. Ancient Origins © 2013 - 2020Disclaimer - Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy - Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Machiavelli may claim to be wiser and more realistic. Even in his old age he displayed the same restless energy, and is said to have been contemplating a fresh attack on Carthage at the time of his death. Rhegium was under attack by Syracuse, and Agathocles and his army came to their aid helping to defeat Syracuse. Mount Shasta: Spirits and Danger on a Sacred California Mountain, The Ancient Kingdom of Colchis: A Legendary Land of Plenty, Conflict, and the Golden Fleece, The Strange History of the Toothpick: Neanderthal Tool, Deadly Weapon, and Luxury Possession, A Succinct Timeline of Roman Emperors—400 Years of Power Condensed, Rekindling of the Hearth of Hellenism - A Return to Worship of the Greek Gods, A History of Hamilcar: The Legend of Cardosa and a Lost Carthaginian City – Part I.

The result was a loss of only 500 Carthaginian troops compared to 7,000 of Agathocles’ men. Ancient Journeys: What was Travel Like for the Romans? This man, the son of a potter, through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamous life. Machiavelli presents Agathocles of Syracuse, Get Perfect Grades Consistently by Using Our Service, Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers, Download paper from your email or personal account. Agathocles was born at Thermae Himeraeae (modern name Termini Imerese) in Sicily. (John McLinden / CC BY-SA 2.0 ). He took advantage of civil unrest in his wife’s hometown, Athens, and was able to gather a large number of troops. The Greek tragedy Oedipus is known today by its Latin name Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) but its original Greek name was actually Oedipus Tyrannus and this change in terminology over time shows how king and tyrant merely denoted the way a person had come to rule.

[3] Notwithstanding all the natural obstacles which presented themselves on his route, Ophellas succeeded in reaching the Carthaginian territories after a toilsome and perilous march of more than two months' duration. He describes Agathocles as an example of a leader who gains their power by committing crimes. Most notably the 16 th century politician and historian Machiavelli wrote about Agathocles in his political treatise The Prince . Adam’s Calendar: Oldest Megalithic Site in the World? Agathocles. One such tyrant is Agathocles – a man who rose from humble origins to self-styled king of Sicily and tyrant of Syracuse, winning the hearts of his people while waging war in far off lands. He was a tyrant in the original sense of the word rather than the modern. Agathocles of Syracuse. It was only later in the ancient Greek culture that philosophers like Aristotle and Plato began to infer that a king was a good ruler and a tyrant a bad one. Messiah on Temple Mount: Are We Nearing the End of Time?

Date Unknown. In declaring himself the sole ruler of Syracuse, Agathocles had come to power by unconventional means – he was now officially a tyrant. Agathocles was cited as an example "Of Those Who By Their Crimes Come to Be Princes" in Chapter VIII of Niccolò Machiavelli's treatise on politics - The Prince (1513). The Nephilim: Giant Offspring of the Sons of God and the Daughters of Man? The march was not easy, and it covered particularly rough terrain, but when he arrived he was welcomed as a close ally, and even as a friend of Agathocles.

Agathocles was more than a tyrant with a penchant for causing trouble for the Carthaginians. Our essay writers are graduates with diplomas, bachelor, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. Following several victories he was at last completely defeated (307 BC) and fled secretly to Sicily. Agathocles restored the Syracusan democracy on his death bed and did not want his sons to succeed him as king. In either 308 BC or 307 BC he gained further support when he approached Ophellas, the ruler of Cyrenaica in modern day Libya. In 333 BC he married the widow of his patron Damas, a distinguished and wealthy citizen.

Agathocles led the Syracusans in the Battle of Himera River. At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. Machiavelli believed Agathocles was a criminal throughout all stages of his life and that he became king of Sicilydespite coming from a very low position in society. The Vikings’ next step out into the Atlantic – the discovery and settlement of Iceland – is one of the best documented events of the Viking Age. In 309/8 BC, Agathocles turned his attention towards Ophellas, ruler of Cyrenaica as likely to prove a useful ally in his war against the Carthaginians.

The outcome was not favorable for Agathocles as his warmongering attracted the attention of the Carthaginian Empire , which had set its sights on western Sicily. The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe.