Dionysius the Elder - tyrant of Syracuse from 405 to 367. BC e. — came from a humble family. Early in his career he was one of the commanders in the Syracusan army. In 413 B.C. e. Syracuse, in alliance with Sparta, repelled the invasion of Athens, after which the army of Syracuse went to the aid of Sparta. In 408 BC. e. The Carthaginian army under the command of Hannibal landed in Sicily, slaughtering the city of Selinunte and taking Himera. The Syracusan army returned to Sicily in the winter of 408–407 BC. e.In 406 BC. e. The Carthaginian army burned Akragant and launched an attack on Gela. Dionysius, before the people, accused the Syracusan commanders of treason and ensured that the people elected him as the only commander-in-chief with broad powers. By April 405 BC. e. at the age of 25, he received tyranny from the people. Dionysius made peace with the Carthaginians, conquered several cities in Sicily and entered into an alliance with Sparta, after which he again began to prepare for war with the Carthaginians. In 395 and 392 BC. e. he inflicted crushing defeats on the Carthaginian army, followed by a profitable peace.After 390 BC. e. Dionysius made several campaigns in Lower Italy. Other cities recognized the hegemony of Syracuse. From then on, the Syracusan fleet dominated the seas surrounding Italy. In 383 B.C. e. Dionysius again fought with the Carthaginians, with the intention of expelling them from Sicily forever, but did not fulfill his intention. In 367 B.C. e. Dionysius died.