S8 Ep917: James Romm discusses his book Plato and the Tyrant. Syracuse emerged as an immensely powerful and prosperous state in the 4th century BCE under the rule of Dionysius the Elder. He rose to power as a demagogue by railing against elite leaders and was appoi
S8 Ep917: James Romm discusses his book Plato and the Tyrant. Syracuse emerged as an immensely powerful and prosperous state in the 4th century BCE under the rule of Dionysius the Elder. He rose to power as a demagogue by railing against elite leaders and was appoi  
Podcast: The John Batchelor Show
Published On: Sat May 23 2026
Description: James Romm discusses his book Plato and the Tyrant. Syracuse emerged as an immensely powerful and prosperous state in the 4th century BCE under the rule of Dionysius the Elder. He rose to power as a demagogue by railing against elite leaders and was appointed general by the sympathetic masses. To secure his rule, Dionysius utilized the "Island," a peninsula fortress with a natural spring that made it impossible to starve out during a siege. Dionysius broke Greek custom by practicing polygamy, marrying two women on the same day to project a superhuman, royal image. This double marriage eventually sparked civil war and rivalry between his children. (1/8)1871