People > Gelo II

Gelo II

Background

Gelo II was a ruler of Syracuse, a powerful Greek city-state on the island of Sicily, during the 5th century BCE. He was a member of the Deinomenid dynasty, which played a significant role in the history of Syracuse during this period. Gelo II's reign was marked by his association with his more famous predecessors and successors, particularly his father, Hiero I, and his grandfather, Gelo I.

Background and Family:

• Family Lineage: Gelo II was the son of Hiero I, who ruled Syracuse from 478 to 467 BCE, and the grandson of Gelo I, who was the tyrant of Syracuse from 491 to 478 BCE. His family, the Deinomenids, were instrumental in establishing Syracuse as a major power in the Western Mediterranean.
• Gelo I: Gelo I was a successful military leader who took control of Syracuse and significantly expanded its territory. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Himera in 480 BCE, which secured Greek dominance in Sicily and repelled a Carthaginian invasion.

Reign:

• Hiero I's Successor: After Hiero I's death in 467 BCE, Gelo II succeeded him as the ruler of Syracuse. However, his reign was short-lived, and he did not achieve the same level of fame or impact as his father or grandfather.
• Limited Information: There is limited historical information about the specifics of Gelo II's reign. Much of what is known about this period focuses on the broader context of Syracuse and the actions of his more prominent relatives.
• Internal Strife: The period following Hiero I's death was marked by internal strife and power struggles within Syracuse. Gelo II's short reign may have been affected by these internal conflicts, which eventually led to his ousting.

Legacy and Aftermath:

• Brief Rule: Gelo II's reign was brief, and he was succeeded by his uncle, Thrasybulus, who ruled Syracuse for a short period before being overthrown. Thrasybulus's harsh rule led to a revolt, and the subsequent expulsion of the Deinomenid dynasty from power.
• Return to Democracy: After the fall of Thrasybulus, Syracuse transitioned from tyranny to a more democratic form of government. This period marked the end of the Deinomenid dynasty's direct rule over Syracuse.

Historical Context:

• Significance of the Deinomenids: Despite Gelo II's relatively obscure reign, the Deinomenid dynasty was crucial in shaping the early history of Syracuse. Their military successes and strategic alliances helped establish Syracuse as a dominant power in the region.
• Greek Sicily: The period of Gelo II's rule falls within the broader context of Greek colonization and influence in Sicily. Greek city-states like Syracuse played a significant role in the cultural and political landscape of the Mediterranean.

Gelo II's short and less documented reign stands in contrast to the more notable achievements of his father and grandfather. His brief tenure highlights the turbulent nature of Greek city-state politics and the challenges faced by rulers in maintaining power and stability.

Sources

Polybius VII 8.

Schweighauser, ad Polybius V 88 ; Diodorus Siculus Ex. Vales XXVI.

Livy XXIII 30.

Polybius VII 4 ; Justin XXVIII 3 ; Pausanias VI 12,3.

Archimedes Arenarius p. 319. ed Torell.

Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Gelon (2)". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.