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S8 Ep1064: The Rise of the Dionysian Dynasty in Syracuse. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Syracuse, a Corinthian colony, rose to power under Dionysius the Elder during the 4th century BCE. Starting as a clerk, he became a demagogue by attacking elite leaders acc
The Rise of the Dionysian Dynasty in Syracuse. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Syracuse, a Corinthian colony, rose to power under Dionysius the Elder during the 4th century BCE. Starting as a clerk, he became a demagogue by attacking elite leaders accused of collaborating with Carthage. He fortified "the island," a strategic peninsula with a natural spring, to secure his power. Dionysius broke Greek custom by adopting Persian-style polygamy, marrying Doris and Aristomache on one day to appear superhuman. This created rival lineages that sparked future civil conflict. The court was famous…
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