Affairs of the GRECIAN Settlements of SICILY and ITALY, from the Death of the first DIONYSIUS to the Restoration of the second DIONYSIUS

SECTION I

Election of the second Dionysius to the Dignity of General-Autocrator. Peace of Eleven Years. Parties in Opposition under Dion and Heracleides. Banishment of Dion and Heracleides

The discussion of the character of the elder Dionysius and of his government, longer perhaps and more particular than would generally become historical composition, seemed warranted and even required by the importance of the portion of history, and by the obscurity and contradictions in which that portion of history hath been inwrapped; nor may it be less necessary toward exhibiting in just light an important sequel.

On the death of a man who had presided over the government so many years, with uncommon ability, and perhaps yet more uncommon success, it was matter of most serious consideration for all the Sicilian and Italian Greeks, but especially the Syracusans, and most especially those who had been his principal supporters, how and by whom the administration should be in future directed. To preserve peace and union, and means for common exertion against a threatening common enemy, among so many portions of the little empire, longhabituated to discord within each and among all, it seems to have been extensively felt that one chief, with some permanence of power, was necessary, and that, for such a chief, eminence of birth was an important qualification.