Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/191

 STRONGHOLD IN ORTYGIA 1(J3 separate stronghold, fortification, and residence, constructed by the elder Dionysius in Ortygia ; as well as the splendid funeral mon- ument erected to the memory of that despot by his son and suc- cessor. 1 This was the first public act executed in Syracuse by his order ; the first manifestation of the restored sovereignty of the people ; the first outpouring of sentiment, at once free, hearty, and unanimous, among men trodden down by half a century of servi- tude ; the first fraternizing cooperation of Timoleon and his sol- diers with them, for the purpose of converting the promise of liberation into an assured fact. That the actual work of demoli- tion was executed by the hands and crowbars of the Syracusans themselves, rendered the whole proceeding an impressive compact between them and Timoleon. It cleared away all mistake, all possibility of suspicion, as to his future designs. It showed that he had not merely forsworn despotism for himself, but that he was bent on rendering it impossible for any one else, when he began by overthrowing what was not only the conspicuous memento, bat also the most potent instrument, of the past despots. It achieved the inestimable good of inspiring at once confidence in his future proceedings, and disposing the Syracusans to listen voluntarily to his advice. And it was beneficial, not merely in smoothing the way to farther measures of pacific reconstruction, but also in dis- charging the reactionary antipathies of the Syracusans, inevitable after so long an oppression, upon unconscious stones ; and thus leaving less of it to be wreaked on the heads of political rivals, compromised in the former proceedings. This important act of demolition was farther made subservient to a work of new construction, not less significant of the spirit in which Timoleon had determined to proceed. Having cleared 1 Plutarch, Timoleon, c. 22. Tevoftsvof 6e rr^q a/cpaf icvptoe, OVK exa-fre Ai'uvi TO.VTO 7ru$of, oiiS 1 i//f, u/l/lu TTJV enelvov diafiaZovaav, elr 1 uiro^eaaaai' iav ^D/lafo^evof, EKjjpv^e TUV "Lvpanovaiuv -rbv flovTiopsvov irapcivat aidf/pov Kal owe0u7rrEcr$at TUV rvpavviKuv ipvpuTuv. '2f <5e Travrej upxyv ifav&epiaf Troirjcrafievot, pepatOTuTrjv TO Krjpvyfta Kal TT/V v iKfivrjv, ov fiovov TIJV unpav, d/i/lu Kal ruf olidae /cat ra p>T]fj,a,Ta ru* rvpuvvuv uveTpsipav Kal Karianaipav. Eii?i)f 6s TOV TOTTOV avvofiahvvac, fowj6;>{iriaE TO. diKaarf/pia, xapt6uevo rolg ToAi'roif, Kal TT brrepTepav irotav TJ)V dri/xoKparlav. Cunr j)a r c Cornelius Nepos, Timoleon, c 3.