The New Student's Reference Work/Dionysius, The Elder

Dionysius (dī′ō̇-nĭsh′ĭ-ŭs), The Elder, an ancient ruler of Syracuse in Sicily, was born about 430 B. C. When Sicily was invaded by the Carthaginians, he became a general in the service of Syracuse, which was then a republic. In the year 405, he made himself tyrant or ruler of Syracuse. He later continued the war against the Carthaginians, and was at first defeated, but afterward gained a complete victory. He also engaged in many other military expeditions, and was one of the most distinguished rulers of his time. Not content with his military renown, he wrote poems and tragedies, and at one time gained a prize at Athens for a work on tragic poetry. He died at Syracuse in 367 B. C.