Frasybulus Syracuse

Thrasybulus was the younger brother of the two previous tyrants of Syracuse - Helon and Hieron I, and after the death of the latter, he took power into his own hands ^[1] . Diodorus Sicilian wrote that Thrasybulus surpassed his brother in cruelty: he illegally killed or expelled many citizens on false accusations, and confiscated their property ^[1] .

For self-defense, Thrasybulus hired a mercenary squad that opposed the civilian militia ^[1] . Thrasybulus’s actions prompted the citizens of Syracuse to revolt ^[2] . At first, Thrasybulus tried to persuade the rebels, but when this failed, he gathered all the troops loyal to himself, called for help from the inhabitants of other policies and fortified himself in Ahradin (the walled quarter of Syracuse) and on the island of Ortigia within the city ^[3] . The rebels sent ambassadors to nearby cities with a request for help in fighting tyranny, and reinforcements were sent to them ^[4] . Having suffered a defeat in the sea battle and on land, Thrasybulus was forced to enter into negotiations with the rebels, and an agreement was concluded at Locri : the power passed to the people of Syracuse, and Thrasybulus with their mercenaries got the opportunity to leave the city without hindrance ^[5] . Also in all cities previously subordinate to Syracuse, democracy was restored.

Thrasybulus left Sicily and spent the rest of his life in Locrach ^[6] .

• Thrasybulus of Syracuse (English) . - in Smith 's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.