Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/255

 DION. 247 compared one with another, begni with his who was the elder. Dionysius the First, having possessed himself of the government, at once took to wife the daughter of Hermo- crates, the S3'racusan. She, in an outbreak which the citizens made before the new power was well settled, was abused in such a barbarous and outrageous manner, that for shame she put an end to her ovra life. . But Dionysiiis, when he was reestablished and confinned in his suprem- acy, married two wives together, one named Doris, of Locri, the other, Aristomache, a native of Sicily, and daughter of Hij^parinus, a man of the first quality in Syra- cuse, and colleague with Dionysius when he was first chosen general with unlimited powers for the war. It is said he married them both in one dav, and no one ever knew which of the two he first made his wife ; and ever after he divided his kindness equally between them, both accompanying him together at his table, and iii his bed by turns. Indeed, the Syracusans were urgent that their own countrywoman might be preferred before the stran- ger ; but Doris, to compensate for her foreign extraction, had the good fortune to be the mother of the son and heir of the famih^, whilst Aristomache continued a long time without issue, though Dionysius was very desirous to have children by her, and, indeed, caused Doris's mother to be put to death, laying to her charge that she had given drugs to Aristomache, to prevent her being with child. Dion, Aristomache's brother, at first found an honora- ble reception for his sister's sake ; but his own worth and parts soon procured him a nearer place in his brother-in- law's affection, who, among other favors, gave special com- mand to his treasurers to furnish Dion with whatever money he demanded, only telling him on the same day what they had delivered out. Now, though Dion was