Gelon

Gelon was a powerful Greek tyrant who ruled several cities in Sicily. A tyrant is a leader who holds total power over a state. He was the son of Deinomenes and belonged to the Deinomenid family. His ancestors came from the island of Telos in the Aegean Sea. They were the founders of the city of Gela in southern Sicily. Gelon had three brothers named Hieron, Thrasybulus, and Polyzalos. An oracle once told his father that three of his sons would become tyrants.

Gelon built his reputation as a skilled and formidable soldier. He served as the commander of the cavalry for his uncle, Hippocrates. Hippocrates was the tyrant of Gela. Gelon fought in many conflicts between different kings in Sicily. He even participated in battles against the city of Syracuse. This city would eventually become his most important territory. His military experience prepared him for his eventual rise to power.

His path to leadership began after the death of Hippocrates. Hippocrates died in a battle against the native Sicel tribe at Hybla. After he died, his sons tried to keep the throne. However, the common people revolted against the family's rule. Gelon stepped in to stop the revolt. He claimed he was helping the sons of Hippocrates. Instead, he used the army to take power for himself in 491 BC.

Gelon's territory grew to include Gela, Naxos, Zancle, and Camarina. In 485 BC, the aristocracy of Syracuse asked him for help. These leaders had been forced out of the city by common people. Gelon saw a chance to expand his empire. He used his large military force to capture Syracuse with very little resistance. He reinstated the exiled leaders and became the tyrant of Syracuse. He left his brother Hieron to rule over Gela.

Gelon used specific strategies to manage the cities he conquered. He often moved populations to maintain control. He forced half of the citizens of Gela to move to Syracuse. He also removed the aristocracy from Camarina. When he conquered Euboea and Megara Hyblaea in 483 BC, he used similar methods. He removed the aristocracy and placed the rest of the population in slavery. Herodotus noted that Gelon did not care much for the lower classes. He had been raised as a noble and found common people unpleasant.

Under Gelon's rule, Syracuse became a very wealthy and prosperous city. He started grand building programs to improve the city. He also created a massive mercenary army. This army included about 10,000 men from the Greek mainland and local Sicel tribes. These soldiers were all granted citizenship in Syracuse. Gelon also formed a strong alliance through marriage. He married Demareta, the daughter of Theron, the tyrant of Acragas. This alliance gave him a powerful partner to his west.

In 480 BC, a massive Carthaginian force arrived in Sicily. Led by General Hamilcar, 300,000 men landed at Panormus. They moved toward Himera to increase Carthaginian influence. Gelon heard that his ally Theron was in danger. He led an army of 50,000 men and 5,000 cavalry to help. His troops used a clever tactic to win the Battle of Himera. They entered the Carthaginian camp by pretending to be allies from Selinus. Once inside, they set fire to Hamilcar's ships. This caused a decisive victory for Gelon and Theron. The Carthaginian casualties were estimated at 150,000 men.

After the battle, Gelon shared the massive wealth with his troops. He received 2,000 talents of silver from a peace treaty with Carthage. He used a large amount of this money to build a new temple in Syracuse. Gelon even held a meeting to ask the people if they approved of his actions. He told them they could kill him if they thought he was wrong. The people chose to keep him as their ruler. Gelon died in 478 BC after ruling Syracuse for seven years. His brother Hieron took over the rule for the next ten years.