Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/179

 STORIES ABOUT DIONYSIUS. 153 cumstances, the exception to this rule was presented just where it was least likely to take place ; in the case of the most formida- ble and odious despotism which had ever overridden the Grecian world. For nearly half a century prior to the expedition of Dion against Syracuse, every one had been accustomed to pronounce the name of Dionysius with a mixture of fear and hatred the sentiment of prostration before irresistible force. How much difficulty Dion himself found, in overcoming this impression in the minds of his own soldiers, has been already related Though dissipated by the success of Dion, the antecedent alarm became again revived, when Dionysius recovered his possession of Orty- gia, and when the Syracusans made pathetic appeal to Corinth for aid against him. Now, on a sudden, the representative of this extinct greatness, himself bearing the awful name of Diony sius, enters Corinth under a convention, suing only for the hum- ble domicile and unpretending security of a private citizen. 1 The Greek mind was keenly sensitive to such contrasts, which en- tered largely into every man's views of human affairs, and were reproduced in a thousand forms by writers and speakers. The affluence of visitors who crowded to gaze upon and speak to Dionysius, not merely from Corinth, but from other cities of Greece was immense ; some in simple curiosity, others with compassion, a few even with insulting derision. The anecdotes which are recounted seem intended to convey a degrading im- pression of this last period of his career. But even the common offices of life the purchase of unguents and condiments at the, tavern 2 the nicety of criticism displayed respecting robes and furniture 3 looked degrading when performed by the ex-despot of Syracuse. His habit of drinking largely, already contracted, was not likely to become amended in these days of mortification ; 1 Plutarch, Timolcon, c. 14 ; Diodor. xvi. 70. The remarks of Tacitus upon the last hours of the Emperor Vitellius have their application to the Greek feeling on this occasion (Histor. iii. 68) : Nee quisquam adeo rerum humanarum immemor, quern non commoveret ilia facies ; Romanum prin- cipem, et generis humani paulo ante dominum, relict^ fortunse suae sede, exire de imperio. Nihil tale viderant, nihil audierant" etc. xxi. 5. 9 Timoeus, ap. Polybium. xii. 24
 * Plutarch, Timoleon, c. 14 ; Theopomp. Fragm. 217, ed. Didot. ; Justin