History of Syracuse - Part 2 - The Tyranny of Hieron

Ancient History Guy

3 Oct 201903:37

Summary

TLDRThe video explores the reign of Hieron I, brother of Gelon, as the tyrant of Syracuse following Gelon’s death. Hieron’s rule was marked by both successes and controversies, including the unpopular relocation of inhabitants from Naxos and Catania, and a major military victory against the Etruscans at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BC. He celebrated this victory by dedicating a bronze helmet at Olympia. Despite facing opposition, Hieron promoted culture and arts, attracting poets like Pindar to his court. His death in 467 BC in Catania marked the end of an era for Syracuse.

Takeaways

🏛️ Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse, secured the city's position on Sicily as a local power after the decisive battle of Himera.
🗡️ Leadership of Syracuse passed to Gelon's brother, Hieron I, after Gelon's death in 478 BC.
🏙️ One of Hieron's first actions was relocating the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania, repopulating Catania with Dorians and renaming it Aetna, which was unpopular.
⚔️ Hieron achieved a major military victory against the Etruscans and Carthaginians at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BC, saving the Greeks of Campania.
🥇 To commemorate this victory, Hieron sent a bronze helmet with an inscription to the sacred site of Olympia, following Greek tradition.
🚓 Hieron's rule saw the creation of possibly the first secret police in ancient Greek history, likely due to the unpopularity of his relocation policies.
🎭 Despite controversies, Hieron became a patron of the arts, attracting famous poets like Pindar to his court.
🐎 Hieron was known for his skill in horse and chariot racing, winning several competitions.
⚰️ Hieron died in Catania in 467 BC and was buried there, but his grave was later destroyed by the returning inhabitants.
📉 Hieron's death marked the end of an era for Syracuse, leading to significant changes during his brothers' rule.

Q & A

Who was Gelon, and what role did he play in Syracuse's history?
-Gelon was the tyrant of Syracuse who, after the decisive battle of Himera, secured Syracuse's position as a local power capable of standing up to larger Mediterranean forces like the Carthaginians.
What was one of the first actions taken by Hieron I after succeeding Gelon?
-One of Hieron's first acts as the leader of Syracuse was relocating the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania to Leontini, repopulating Catania with Dorians, and renaming it Aetna. This move was unpopular and cast a shadow over his reign.
How did Hieron increase Syracuse's power during his reign?
-Hieron increased Syracuse's power by achieving a significant military victory against the Etruscans and Carthaginians at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BC, saving the Greeks of Campania from Etruscan domination.
What cultural practice did Hieron follow after his victory at the Battle of Cumae?
-After his victory at the Battle of Cumae, Hieron sent a bronze helmet to Olympia in Greece with an inscription commemorating the victory, which was a common practice among Greeks after great military successes.
Why did Hieron's decision to relocate people from Catania become so unpopular?
-The relocation of the people of Catania and repopulating the city with Dorians was highly unpopular because it disrupted local communities and identities, leading to unrest among the displaced populations.
What role did poets and culture play during Hieron's reign?
-Hieron became a patron of literature and culture, hosting prominent poets such as Pindar at his court. These poets recorded many of Hieron's achievements, enhancing his cultural legacy despite his political unpopularity.
What personal skill of Hieron's was celebrated during his reign?
-Hieron was skilled in horse and chariot racing, winning several races, which added to his personal prestige and fame.
What irony surrounded Hieron's death and burial?
-Hieron died and was buried in Catania, the very city where he had forcibly relocated its inhabitants and renamed it Aetna. After his death, his grave was destroyed by the returning inhabitants of Catania, reflecting their lingering resentment.
What historical significance did Hieron's rule have for Syracuse?
-Hieron's reign marked a high point in Syracuse’s military and cultural power. However, his death in 467 BC ushered in an era of drastic changes for Syracuse, as his successors struggled to maintain stability.
What innovation in governance is attributed to Hieron during his rule?
-Hieron is believed to have created one of the earliest examples of a secret police in ancient Greek history, likely as a response to the growing unpopularity following his relocation policies.

Outlines

00:00

⚔️ The Rise of Syracuse After the Battle of Himera

Following the decisive battle of Himera, Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse, solidified the city’s power in Sicily. Under Gelon’s rule, Syracuse grew strong enough to challenge Mediterranean powers like Carthage. After Gelon’s death, leadership passed to his brother Hieron I in 478 BC.

🏙️ Hieron's Controversial Reign and Relocation of Citizens

One of Hieron's first acts as leader was relocating the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania to Leontini, repopulating Catania with Dorians and renaming it Aetna. This unpopular decision would taint his reign, despite his later achievements.

🏆 Hieron's Military Success: Victory at Kume

Despite internal discontent, Hieron expanded Syracuse's power, winning a crucial battle at Kume in 474 BC. This victory, against the Etruscans and Carthaginians, saved the Greeks of southern Italy from Etruscan domination. To celebrate, Hieron sent a bronze helmet to Olympia with an inscription marking the victory.

🎖️ Greek Tradition: Commemorating Military Victories

The act of dedicating war trophies, like Hieron’s helmet, to sacred sites was a common Greek practice after major victories. Another example of this tradition is a helmet from the Battle of Marathon, marking Greek triumphs through symbolic gestures.

👀 Hieron's Secret Police and Cultivation of Culture

To combat his unpopularity after relocating the citizens of Catania, Hieron likely created the first secret police in ancient Greek history. He attempted to restore his image by becoming a patron of literature and culture, attracting poets like Pindar to his court.

🏇 Hieron’s Passion for Horses and Ironic Death

Hieron was an accomplished horseman, winning several chariot races, a skill often highlighted by poets. Ironically, he would die in Catania, the city he once repopulated, in 467 BC. Although initially buried there, his grave was later destroyed by the city's returning inhabitants.

🛡️ End of an Era for Syracuse After Hieron's Death

Hieron's death marked the end of a significant period for Syracuse. His successors, his brothers, would face major challenges, leading to drastic changes in the city’s leadership and political landscape.

📢 Supporting the Channel and Further Resources

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to support the channel via Patreon. It also mentions that all sources are listed in the description and reminds viewers to like, comment, and subscribe for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Battle of Himera

The Battle of Himera was a decisive conflict that took place on the island of Sicily, which allowed Gelon, the tyrant of Syracuse, to secure his city's dominance as a local power. This battle marked Syracuse's capability to stand up to other Mediterranean powers, such as the Carthaginians, highlighting the city's growing influence.

💡Gelon

Gelon was the tyrant of Syracuse who played a crucial role in securing his city's power after the Battle of Himera. Under his leadership, Syracuse emerged as a strong local power in Sicily capable of challenging greater Mediterranean powers. His death led to his brother Hieron taking over the rule.

💡Hieron I

Hieron I was the brother of Gelon and became the ruler of Syracuse in 478 BC. His reign was marked by both achievements and controversies, such as relocating the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania and renaming Catania to Etna. Despite some unpopular decisions, he expanded Syracuse's power and won military victories.

💡Battle of Cumae (Kume)

The Battle of Cumae, fought in 474 BC, was a significant military victory achieved by Hieron I against the Etruscans and Carthaginians. This battle saved the Greek colonies in Campania from domination by the Etruscans and solidified Syracuse's power in the region, emphasizing Hieron's military prowess.

💡Relocation of Naxos and Catania

One of Hieron's controversial actions as the ruler of Syracuse was the relocation of the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania to Leontini, while repopulating Catania with Dorians and renaming it to Etna. This move was unpopular and contributed to the negative perception of his rule, impacting his legacy.

💡Greek cultural practices

The video mentions Greek cultural practices, such as sending a bronze helmet to the sacred site of Olympia with an inscription commemorating the victory at the Battle of Cumae. Such acts were common in Greek culture to celebrate military successes, showing the importance of public commemoration in ancient Greek society.

💡Patron of Literature and Culture

Hieron I became a patron of literature and culture, hosting poets such as Pindar at his court. By surrounding himself with some of the greatest poets of his time, he attempted to enhance his reputation and offset his unpopular political actions, demonstrating his interest in fostering cultural achievements.

💡Secret Police

Hieron I's rule saw the creation of possibly the first secret police in ancient Greek history. This development might have been a response to his unpopularity due to controversial decisions like relocating the population of Catania, showcasing his attempts to maintain control over his rule.

💡Horse and Chariot Races

Hieron I was skilled in horse and chariot racing, as recorded by poets of his time. His success in these races contributed to his personal achievements and helped enhance his prestige, reflecting the importance of such competitions in ancient Greek culture and society.

💡Death of Hieron I

Hieron I died in Catania in 467 BC, and he was buried there. However, his grave was destroyed by the returning inhabitants of Catania, symbolizing the end of an era for Syracuse. His death marked a turning point, leading to significant changes in Syracuse under his successors.

Highlights

Gelon of Syracuse secured his city's position as a local power capable of standing up to greater Mediterranean powers after the decisive Battle of Himera.

After Gelon's death, his brother Hieron I took power in 478 BC, marking a new era for Syracuse.

Hieron's first major act as leader was relocating the inhabitants of Naxos and Catania to Leontini, repopulating Catania with Dorians and renaming it Aetna.

This relocation was highly unpopular and cast a shadow over Hieron’s reign.

Despite this, Hieron greatly increased Syracuse's power and achieved a major military victory against the Etruscans and Carthaginians at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BC.

This victory saved the Greeks of Campania, in southern Italy, from domination by the Etruscans.

To celebrate the victory at Cumae, Hieron sent a commemorative bronze helmet to the sacred site of Olympia in Greece.

The tradition of dedicating helmets after victories was common in Greek culture, as seen in the example from the Battle of Marathon.

Hieron may have created the first secret police in Greek history, likely in response to the unpopularity of his earlier relocation of people.

Hieron became a patron of literature and culture, attracting famous poets like Pindar to his court.

Through the works of poets, many of Hieron's personal achievements, including his skill in horse racing, were recorded.

Hieron won several horse and chariot races during his lifetime, demonstrating his prowess in sports.

Hieron died in Catania in 467 BC, where he was later buried.

Hieron's grave was destroyed by the returning inhabitants of Catania, signifying their disdain for him.

His death marked the end of an era for Syracuse, with his successors facing significant challenges.