Excerpt from The History of the World, Vol. 5 of 6: In Five Books
Dionysi is obtained the principality of Syracuse by the same degrees that many others before him had made themselves masters of other cities, and of Syracuse itself; for, being made pr?tor, and commanding their armies against the Carthaginians, and other their enemies, he behaved so well, that he got a general love among the people and men of war. Then began he to follow the example of Pisistratus, that made himself lord of Athens; obtaining a band of six hundred men to defend his person, under pretence that his private enemies, being traitorously affected to the state of Syracuse, had laid plots how to murder him, because of his good services. He doubled the pay of the soldiers, alleging, that it would encourage them to fight manfully; but intending thereby to assure them to himself. He persuaded the citizens to call home out of exile those that had been banished, which were the best men of Syracuse; and these were afterwards at his devotion, as obliged unto him by so great a benefit. His first favour among the Syracusans grew from his accusation of the principal men. It is the delight of-base people to reign over their betters; wherefore gladly did he help them to break down, as fetters imprisoning their liberty, the bars that held it under Safe custody. Long it was not ere the chief citizens had found whereat he aimed. But what they saw the people would not see; and some that were needy, and knew not how to get offices without his help, were willing to help him, though they knew his purposes to be such as would make all the city to smart. He began early to hunt after the tyranny, being but twenty-five years of age when he obtained it: belike it was his desire to reign long.
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