Author(s):
Meister, Klaus (Berlin)
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Bowie, Ewen (Oxford)
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Ameling, Walter (Jena)
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Pressler, Frank (Heidelberg)
(Ἑρμοκράτης;
Hermokrátēs). [German version] [1] Syracusan statesman, 424 BC Syracusan statesman and general. Became prominent for the first time at the peace conference of Gela in 424 BC and successfully invited the Sicilian Greeks with the slogan ‘Sicily to the Siceliots’ to settle the internal disputes (Thuc. 4,58-64). In 415 he recommended the formation of a coalition against Athens reaching beyond Sicily (Thuc. 6,32,3-34). Initially chosen as one of three authorized
strategoi, but soon, like his colleagues, deposed because of his lack of success (Thuc. 6,73,1; 103,4), he then became the most important assistant and adviser of Gylippus and had a decisive part in the victory over the Athenians. Against Diocles he stood up in vain for lenient treatment of the Athenian prisoners (Diod. Sic. 13,19,4-6). In 412, when sent as admiral to Asia Minor, he was exiled in his absence by the radical democrats after the loss of his ships in the naval battle of Cyzicus (Xen. Hell. 1,1,18). In 408 he returned to Sicily and successfully operated in the Carthaginian epicracy, but was suspected of tyrannical ambitions and therefore was not recalled to Syracuse (Diod. Sic. 13,63). In a failed surprise attack on Syracuse in which Dionysius [1] was also involved, he fell in the street battle in 407 (Diod. Sic. 13,75). Praised by Thucydides…