Dionysius << `dy` uh NIHSH ee uhs or `dy` uh NY see uhs >> the Elder (430?-367 B.C.) was a Greek tyrant and military leader who ruled in ancient Sicily for almost 40 years. He became a general at Syracuse, the largest Greek city on Sicily, in 406 B.C., during a war with Carthage. In 405 B.C., he made peace with the Carthaginians and became ruler of Syracuse. Dionysius hired many foreign soldiers, defeated armies from Carthage in 396 and 392 B.C., and extended his control over much of Sicily. He later gained control of much of southern Italy and assisted Sparta in its battles in Greece.
During the 370’s B.C., the Carthaginians defeated Dionysius and forced him to give up half of Sicily. Dionysius died of fever during another war with Carthage. He was succeeded as ruler by his son Dionysius the Younger.
