Gelon
(c.540-478
BC)
Tyrant of Gela
and Syracusae who made the latter city pre-eminent on Sicily.
Gelon refused to join in the Greek fight against the Persian invaders of the
Greek mainland. He defeated a Carthaginian army that tried to invade Sicily
in 480BC at Himera, which made him very popular on the island.
He was reputed to be both wise and just and was awarded divine honours by
the people of Syracusae when he died.
