Dionysius II

(circa 396-? BCE) The eldest son of Dionysius the Elder and Doris.

Dionysius II became the tyrant of Syracuse on the island of Sicily after the death of his father and ruled for a brief ten years, i.e. from 367-357 BCE; he inherited an empire from his father but he could not maintain the level of control that had been the trademark of his hyper-ambitious father.

He is portrayed as a sensitive man with an extensive education; he was taught and encouraged by his uncle/brother-in-law, Dion, and the well respected philosopher, Plato; his court was soon divided into factions which led to the banishment of Dion.

In 357 BCE, while Dionysius II was away from the city, Dion returned and took control of Syracuse; Dionysus was confined to the fortress on the island of Ortygia for a short period and then retreated to Italy until he could attempt to recapture Syracuse.

In 346 BCE, Dionysus again took command of Syracuse but, with the murder of his family, he was soon obliged to take refuge in the citadel on Ortygia until, in 337 BCE, he was finally ousted by the Greek commander, Timoleon; Dionysus assumed residence in the city of Korinth (Corinth) and presumably lived there until his death.