Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/429

 PHOKION BEFORE POLYSPERCHON. 397 Italian powers — as they again became, still more conspicuously, fifty years afterwards, during the war between Pyrrhus and the Romans. They were now left to seek foreign aid, where they could obtain it, and to become the prey of adventurers. It is in this capacity that we hear of them as receiving assistance from Syracuse, and that the formidable name of Agathokles first comes before us — seemingly about 320 b. c.i The Syracusan force, sent to Italy to assist the Krotoniates against their ene- mies the Bruttians, was commanded by a general named Antan- der, whose brother Agathokles served with him in a subordinate command. To pass over the birth and childhood of Agathokles — respect- ing which, romantic anecdotes are told, as about most eminent men, — it appears that his father, a Rhegine exile named Kar- kinus, came from Therma (in the Carthaginian portion of Sicily) to settle at Syracuse, at the time when Timoleon invited and received new Grecian settlers to the citizenship of the latter city. Karkinus was in comparative poverty, following the trade of a potter ; which his son Agathokles learnt also, being about eigh- teen years of age when domiciliated with his father at Syracuse.^ Though starting from this humble beginning, and even notorious for the profligacy and rapacity of his youthful habits, Agathokles soon attained a conspicuous position, partly from his own supe- rior personal qualities, partly from the favor of a wealthy Syracusan named Damas. The young potter was liandsome, tall, and of gigantic strength ; he performed with distinction the military service required from him as a citizen, Avearing a panoply so heavy, that no other soldier could fight with it ; he was moreover ready, audacious, and emphatic in public ha^ rangue. Damas became much attached to him, and not only supplied him profusely with money, but also, when placed in command of a Syracusan army against the Agrigentines, nom- inated him one of the subordinate officers. In this capacity Agathokles acquired great reputation, for courage in battle, ability in command, and fluency of speech. Presently Damas died of sickness, leaving a widow without children. Agchokles 1 Diodor. xix. 3. - Tim»us apud Polybium, xii. 15 ; Diodor. xix. 2. voi>. XII. 34