Dion of Syracuse - Losing Popular Support

Losing Popular Support

After some time, a package (which contained many personal letters) came out of the acropolis, onto Dion's hands, and he ordered their public reading. Two letters had been written by Dion's female relatives, who begged for many thing). However, another letter was inked, nominally, by the son of Dion although it was a Dionysius' missive. Nonetheless, it was read before the people, too. After some menaces, the despot reminded Dion's important past services (in the despots' behalf) and the letter ended recommending that Dion should enthrone a new tyrannical regime, to dodge the vengeful Syracusans.

Effectively, the people began distrusting Dion (whose political initiatives were conservative, already). Particularly, those Syracusans who were dedicated to liberal activities (such as the merchants) resorted to Heracleides, who was a famous officer, who had been exiled too. Enthusiastically, Heracleides learned the situation immediately and he formed his own political party. Then, he was appointed Admiral, by the assembly, so he gained the favor of the sailors as well (in the eminently maritime Syracuse). This enraged Dion, who demanded his destitution, because this would limit his full power command. Reluctantly, the people obeyed. However, both political leaders met at Dion's home and, to confront the despot unitedly (in such perilous days), Dion ordered the assembly and Heracleides was reinstalled in the admiralty.

Hypocritically, Heracleides had many goodwill gestures to Dion but (underhand) he kept instigating the Syracusans, for the most revolutionary causes. Furthermore, this popular leader's fleet was the one which fought the rest of the sicilian revolution and, in a battle, they captured Philistus (who was slain humiliatingly, before all Syracusans). The rivalry peaked after Heracleides couldn't prevent Dionysius' escape, through his blockade. (The despot's son Apollocrates was left, commanding the fortification) The Syracusans started rebuking the popular leader, so Heracleides decided to send Hippo and, together, to the popular assembly, they proposed so:

• the Syracusan land should be equally redistributed, amongst the citizens
• the foreign officers should lose their salary
• new commanders should be appointed

Dion opposed such plans and, then, the Syracusans reacted decisively, against his rather oppressive government (which relied much, on the so unpopular foreigners) thus 25 new generals (among whom Heracleides was) where appointed.