Dionysius I of Syracuse and Greek Tyranny (Routledge Revivals)

Professor Sanders’ full-length study of Dionysius I, one of the most powerful figures of fourth-century BC Greece, is the first to appear in English, and marks an important reassessment of the ‘tyrant’ of Syracuse.  Dionysius I regularly appears in the surviving historical accounts as a tyrant in the worst – modern – sense of the word: cruelty, intransigence, arrogance are all part of this stereotype. Yet here is a ruler who, according to the ancient testimony, was deeply concerned with the establishment of a just regime and to whom Plato turned to found the ideal Republic. The hostile picture of Dionysius that has come down to us is basically Athenian, Sanders argues, deriving from political circles engaged in propaganda aimed at tarnishing the tyrant’s reputation. Dionysius I of Syracuse and Greek Tyranny will be of interest to those engaged with the history, historiography and political practice of the ancient world.

History

Sanders, Lionel Jehuda

Ancient Civilizations

Routledge

Professor Sanders’ full-length study of Dionysius I, one of the most powerful figures of fourth-century BC Greece, is the first to appear in English, and marks an important reassessment of the ‘tyrant’ of Syracuse. Dionysius I regularly appears in the surviving historical accounts as a tyrant in the worst – modern – sense of the word: cruelty, intransigence, arrogance are all part of this stereotype. Yet here is a ruler who, according to the ancient testimony, was deeply concerned with the establishment of a just regime and to whom Plato turned to found the ideal Republic. The hostile picture of Dionysius that has come down to us is basically Athenian, Sanders argues, deriving from political circles engaged in propaganda aimed at tarnishing the tyrant’s reputation. Dionysius I of Syracuse and Greek Tyranny will be of interest to those engaged with the history, historiography and political practice of the ancient world.

This extraordinary study examines how the accounts of a historical figure, the so-called democrat and liberal Dion, have been distorted and reworked by ancient and modern writers alike.

The Legend of Dion

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Edgar Kent

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Sanders, Lionel Jehuda. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Sanders, Lionel Jehuda

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Sanders, Lionel Jehuda. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Dionysius I of Syracuse and Greek Tyranny (Routledge Revivals)

Dionysius I of Syracuse and Greek Tyranny (Routledge Revivals)

The Legend of Dion