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  • 10 - Agathocles

  • Edited by F. W. Walbank, University of Liverpool, A. E. Astin, Queen's University Belfast, M. W. Frederiksen, R. M. Ogilvie
  • Book:
    The Cambridge Ancient History
    Published online:
    28 March 2008
    Print publication:
    06 September 1984, pp 384-411

  • Summary

    Agathocles was the dominant figure in the western Greek world for about thirty-five years and also the last Sicilian ruler to play an independent role in the power politics of the Mediterranean. Agathocles attempted to create a power base as a condottiere in southern Italy and continued his struggle against the ruling oligarchies. Once he had secured his position in Syracuse, Agathocles attempted to extend his rule over other parts of Sicily. From the very beginning this attempt met with the bitter opposition of the exiles from Syracuse and other cities. It has been emphasized quite rightly that driving these people from their homes ultimately only shifted the conflict from within to without, between 316/15 and 306 the exiles were the driving force in Sicilian history. A decisive turning-point in the African campaign seemed to be developing when Agathocles offered an alliance to Ophelias of Cyrene.