The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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c. 430-367 B.C.
Greek tyrant of Syracuse who helped establish Hellenistic control in Sicily and southern Italy and developed the first catapult for warfare. Dionysius rose to power as tyrant in 405, after distinguishing himself in a war between the Greeks and Carthaginians of North Africa. In 399 B.C., while preparing for another battle against the Carthaginians, he invited Greek craftsmen to the island of Syracuse in Sicily to help him develop new weaponry. Their work resulted in the invention of more powerful ships, called quinqueremes, which had four or five banks of oars instead of the previous three banks, as well as the first catapults—machines able to hurl objects with deadly force. These innovations helped Dionysius lead the Greek army to victory against the Carthaginians in two conflicts, the first in 396 B.C. and the second in 392 B.C. He was finally defeated by Carthage during the third war (383-c. 375 B.C.).