Agathocles

(born 361 BC, Thermae Himeraeae, Sicily—died 289) Tyrant of Syracuse (317–304?) and self-styled king of Sicily (304?–289). He moved to Syracuse as a youth and served in its army. After two failed attempts, he overthrew the Syracusan oligarchy (317) and took power. He waged wars with other Sicilian Greek cities (316–313?) and with Carthage (311), almost capturing Carthage itself before he was defeated (307). He concluded a favourable treaty (306) that curtailed Carthaginian expansion in Sicily. Harsh domestic measures kept him in power, and he declared himself king of Sicily; his reign was peaceful thereafter. He restored Syracusan liberty in his will, but after his death the Carthaginians were once again a power in Sicily.

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