Agathocles

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[[Image:agathocles coin.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Coin of Agathocles.]]

'''Agathocles''' ([[361 BC|361]]-[[289 BC]]), ([[Greek language|Greek]] name ''Αγαθοκλής'' (''Agathokles''): derived from ''αγαθός'' (''agathos'') ''good'' and ''κλέος'' (''kleos'') ''glory''), was [[tyrant]] of [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] ([[317 BC|317]]-[[289 BC]]) and king of [[Sicily]] ([[304 BC|304]]-[[289 BC]]).

==Biography==
Agathocles was born at Thermae Himeraeae (modern name [[Termini Imerese]]) in Sicily. The son of a [[pottery|potter]] who had moved to Syracuse in about [[343 BC]], he learned his father's trade, but afterwards entered the army. In [[333 BC]] he married the [[widow]] of his patron Damas, a distinguished and wealthy citizen. He was twice [[banishment|banished]] for attempting to overthrow the [[oligarchy|oligarchical]] party in Syracuse.

In [[317 BC]] he returned with an army of [[mercenary|mercenaries]] under a solemn oath to observe the [[democracy|democratic]] [[constitution]] which was then set up. Having banished or murdered some 10,000 citizens, and thus made himself master of Syracuse, he created a strong army and fleet and subdued the greater part of Sicily.

War with [[Carthage]] followed. In [[311 BC]] Agathocles was [[siege|besieged]] and defeated in Syracuse in [[Battle of Himera (311 BC)|the battle of Himera]]. After defeat in [[310 BC]] he took the desperate resolve of breaking through the [[blockade]] and attacking the enemy in [[Africa]]. In Africa he concluded the treaty with [[Ophellas]], ruler of [[Cyrenaica]]. After several victories he was at last completely defeated ([[307 BC]]) and fled secretly to Sicily.

After concluding peace with Carthage in [[306 BC]], Agathocles styled himself king of Sicily in [[304 BC]], and established his rule over the [[Greece|Greek]] cities of the island more firmly than ever. A peace treaty with Carthage left him in control of Sicily east of the [[Halycus River]]. 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.

His last years were plagued by ill-health and the turbulence of his grandson [[Archagathus]], at whose instigation he is said to have been [[poison]]ed; according to others, he died a natural death. 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." Agathocles restored the Syracusan democracy on his death bed and did not want his sons to succeed him as king.

Agathocles married [[Theoxena]], stepdaughter of [[Ptolemy I of Egypt]]. His daughter [[Lanassa]] married King [[Pyrrhus of Epirus]].

==Legacy==

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).

==Primary sources==
* [[Junianus Justinus|Justin]]
* [[Diodorus Siculus]] xix., xxi., xxii. (follows generally Timaeus who had a special grudge against Agathocles)
* [[Polybius]] ix. 23

==References==
* Schubert, (1887) ''Geschichte des Agathokles''
* Grote, ''History of Greece'', ch. 97.

{{1911}}

{{start box}}
|width=25% align=center|'''Preceded by:''' '''''[[oligarchy]]''''' position previously held by [[Timoleon]] in [[337 BC]]
|width=25% align=center|'''[[List of Tyrants of Syracuse|Tyrant of Syracuse]]''' 317 BC– 289 BC
|width=25% align=center|'''Succeeded by:''' '''[[Icetas]]'''
|-
{{end box}}

[[Category:361 BC births]]
[[Category:289 BC deaths]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek generals]]
[[Category:Sicilian tyrants]]
[[Category:Ancient Syracusians]]

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