The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. IX.

His three voyages to Sicily.

a 1.1 PLato made three voyages to Sicily; the first to see the f••ery ••bullitions of Aetnab 1.2 and to improve the knowledge of States, and Philosophy, which he got by his other travells; This was about the 40^th year of his age,c 1.3 at what time Dionysius the elder, Son of Hermocrates, reigned in Syracuse;d 1.4 Plutarch saith, hee was led thither by providence, not fortune, and that some good Genius, designing a far off the liberty of the people of Syracuse, brought him acquainted with Dion then very young, who entertained him as hise 1.5 guest: He much disliked the luxury of that place, feasting, nocturnal lucubrations and the like; Con∣versed frequently with Dion, discoursed with him of those things which were best in man, and with his best arguments exhorted him thereto; by which he seemed to lay grounds for the subver∣sion of that Tyranny, which afterwards hapned;f 1.6 Dion though young, was the most ingenious of all Plato's followers, and most eager in pursuit of Virtue, as appears as well by the testimony of Plato, as his own actions. Though he had been brought up by the King in an effeminate luxurious kind of life; yet as soon as he tasted of Philosophy the guide to Virtue, his soul was enflamed with love thereof, and from his own ••andour and ingenuity was perswaded that Dionysius would be no lesse affected therewith: And therefore desired him when hee was at leasure to admit and hear Plato: Hereupon the Tyrant sent for him; at that meet∣ing all their discourse was concerning fortitude; Plato affirmed none was further from that Virtue then a Tyrant, and, proceed∣ing to speak of Justice, asserted the life of the Just to be happy, of the unjust miserable. Dionysius was displeased at this discourse (as reflecting upon himself) and with the standers by for approving it, at last much exasperated, he asked Plato why he came into Sicily? Plato answered, to seek a good man: it seems, replyed Dyonisius, you have not yet found him. Laertius saith, Plato disputed with him con∣cerning Tyranny, affirming, that is not best which benefits our selves, unlesse it be excellent also in Virtue; whereat Dyonisius incensed, said to him, your discourse favours of old age; and yours, answered Plato, of Tyranny. Dionysius, enraged, comman∣ded him to be put to death; I will have, saith he, your head taken off; at which words Xenocrates being present, answered, He that doth it must begin with mine: but Dion and Aristomen••s wrought with him to revoke that sentence. Dion thinking his an∣ger would have proceeded no further, sent Plato away at his own request in a Ship which carried Pollis (whom Laertius calls Polis, Aelian Pôlis,) a Lacedaemonian Captain (who at that time had been sent Embassadour to Dionysius) back to Greece: Dionsiyus

secretly desired Pollis to kill him whilst he was on Shipboard; or if not, by all means to sell him, alledging, it would be no injury to Plato, for he would be as happy in bondage as at liberty, as be∣ing a just man. Some affirm the occasion of Dionysius his anger was, because, that when he asked what was the best brasse, Plato answered, that whereof the Statues ofg 1.7 Aristogiton and Harmodius were made. Others, that it was because he was over-mastered in learning. But Tzetzes rejecting these, as idle fictions of Philosophers, & falsifiers, affirms the true reason to have been, that he perceived, he advised Dion to possesse himselfe of the Kingdome: Pollis tran∣sported him to Aegina; there Charmander, son of Charmandrites, accused him, as meriting death by a Law they had made, that the first Athenian that should come to that Island, should, with∣out being suffered to speak for himselfe, be put to death: Which Law, as Phavorinus affirms, he himselfe made. One that was pre∣sent, saying in sport, he is a Philosopher, they set him at liberty: Some say, they brought him to the publick assembly, to plead for himselfe, where he would not speak a word, but underwent all with a great courage. Then they altered their intent of putting him to death, and agreed to sell him for a slave. Plutarch saith, that upon a decree of the Aeginetae, that all Athenians taken in that Island, should be sold for Slaves; Pollis sold him there: Anniceris, a Cyrenaick Philosopher, being accidentally present, redeemed him for twenty, or as others thirty Minae, and sent him to Athens to his friends; they immediately returned the mony to Anniceris, but he refused it, saying, they were not the only per∣sons concerned in Plato's welfare: Some say, Dion sent the mony, which he would not accept, but bought therewith a little Or∣chard in the Academy. Pollis was defeated by Chabrias, and after∣wards drowned in Elice. The report goes, that an apparition told him, he suffered those things for the Philosophers sake. Dio∣nysius understanding what had happened, writ to Plato, to desire him not to speak ill of him; Plato returned answer, that he had not so much time vacant from Philosophy, as to remember Diony∣sius. To some detractours who upbraided him, saying, Dionysius hath cast off Plato; no, saith he, but Plato Dionysius.

Dion continued to live, not according to the ordinary luxury of the Sicilians and Italians, but in vertue, untill Dionysius died, for which maligned by those who lived after Tyrannicall insti∣tutions. Then considering, that these documents were not practi∣sed by himselfe alone, but by some others, though few, he enter∣tained a hope, that Dionysius the younger, who succeeded his Father in the Government, might become one of those, to the extraordinary happinesse of himselfe, and the rest of the Sicili∣ans: To this end, he used many exhortations to invite him to vertue, intermixed with some sentences of Plato, with whom Dionysius, upon this occasion, became extreamly desirous to be

acquainted: To that effect, many Letters were sent to Athens to him, some from Dionysius, others from Pythagoreans in Italy, de∣siring Plato to go to Syracuse, who, by prudent Counsell, might govern the young man, transported by his own power to luxury. Plato, as himselfe affirmeth, fearing to be thought a Person only of words, and not willing to engage in action, and withall ho∣ping, by purging one principall part, to cure the disease of all Sicily, yielded; Laertius saith, upon a promise made to him by Dionysius, of a Place and People that should live according to the rules of his Common-wealth; which he made not good. Hence Athenaeus accuseth Plato of Ambition. In the mean time, the ene∣mies of Dion, fearing a change in Dionysius, perswaded him to call home from banishment Phil••stus (a person very rationall, but educated in Tyrannicall principles) as an Antidote against Pla∣to's Philosophy; but Dion hoped, the comming of Plato would regulate the licentious Tyranny of Dionysius.

Plato at his arrivall in Sicily (placed by Agellius, betwixt the beginning of Philips raigne, foure hundred years from the buil∣ding of Rome, and the Chaeronean fight) was received by Dio∣nysius with much respect: One of the Kings magnificent Chariots stood ready to receive him assoon as he landed, and carried him to the Court. The King offered Sacrifice to the Gods for his comming, as a great blessing upon his government. The tempe∣rance of their Feasts, alteration of the Court, meeknesse of the King, gave the Siracusians great hopes of reformation: The Cour∣tiers addicted themselves to Philosophy so much, that the Palace was full of Sand (wherein they drew Geometricall figures.) Not long after Plato's comming, at a Sacrifice in the Castle, the He∣rauld, according to the usuall manner, made a solemn Prayer, that the Gods would long preserve the Kingly Government: Dion standing by, said, Will you never give over praying against me? This troubled Philistus and his friends, who feared Plato would insinuate into the favour of Dionysius so much, as that they should not be able to oppose him, since in so short time, he had effected so great an alteration in him: Hereupon they all joyntly accused Dion, that he wrought upon Dionysius, by the eloquence of Plato, to resigne his Government, that it might be transferred to the Children of his Sister, to quit his command for the Academy, where he should be made happy by Geometry, resigning his pre∣sent happinesse to Dion and his Nephews. With these and the like instigations, Dionysius was so incensed, that he caused Dion to be unexpectedly carried on Ship-board in a little bark, giving the marriners order to land him in Italy. This happened four months after Plato's comming.h 1.8 Plato, and the rest of Dion's friends, feared to be put to some punishment, as partakers of his offence. A report was raised, that Plato was put to death by Dio∣nysius, as author of all that happened: but, on the contrary, Dio∣nysius,

doubting, lest something worse might happen from their fear, treated them all kindly, comforted Plato, bid him be of good cheer, and intreated him to stay with him:i 1.9 He caused him to be lodged in his Castle,k 1.10 in the Orchards adjoyning to his Palace, where not the Porter himselfe could go out without Dionysius his leave; thus cunningly, under pretence of kindnesse, he watched him, that he might not return into Greece, to give Dion notice of the wrong done to him. Dionysius by frequent conversation with Plato (as wild Beasts are tamed by use) fell into so great liking of his discourse, that he became in love with him; but, it was a Tyrannicall affection, for, he would not that Plato should love any but him, offering to put the power of the Kingdome into his hands, if he would value him above Dion. With this passion, troublesome to Plato, Dionysius was sometimes so farre transported, as men jealous of their Mistresses, that he would upon the suddain fall out with him, and as suddainly be reconciled, and ask him pardon. He had indeed a great desire of Plato's Philosophy, but a great respect likewise on the other side for those who disswaded him from it, telling him, that it would ruine him to be too far ingaged therein.l 1.11 In the mean time, there happening a War, he sent Plato home, promising, that the next spring (as soon as there was peace) he would send back for him and Dion to Syracuse: but he kept not his promise, for which he desired Plato to excuse him, protesting the War to be the occasion thereof, and that assoon as it were ended, he would send for Dion, whom he desired in the mean time to rest satisfied, and not attempt any thing against him, not to speak ill of him to the Grecians. This Plato endeavoured to effect; he in∣structed Dion in Philosophy, in the Academy: Dion lay in the City at the house of Calippus, with whom he had been long ac∣quainted. He purchased a Country house for pleasure, whither ••e sometimes went; this he bestowed afterward, at his return to Sicily, upon Speusi••pus, with whom he conversed most intimately, as being so advised by Plato, who knew the cheerfull humour of Speusippus to be a fit divertisement for the reserved disposition of Dion. Plato had undertaken the expence of some Playes and Dances by some youths; Dion took the pains to teach them, and paid the whole charge: By this liberality which Plato suffered him to confer upon the Athenians, he gained more love then Plato honour.

In the mean time, Dionysius, to acquit himselfe of the disesteem he had gained amongst Philosophers in Plato's cause, invited ma∣ny learned men, and in a vain ostentation of Wisdome, applyed improperly the sentences he had learned of Plato: Hereupon he began to wish for Plato again, and to blame himselfe, for not knowing how to use him well when he had him, and that he had not learned so much of him as he might: and being like a Tyrant

transported with uncertain passions and changes, a suddain ve∣hement desire came upon him of seeing Plato again.m 1.12 The peace being now concluded, he sent to Plato to come to him (but not (as he had promised) to Dion) writing to him, that he would have him to come immediately, and that afterwards he would send for Dion. Hereupon Plato refused to go, notwithstanding the in∣treaties of Dion; alledging for excuse his old age, and that no∣thing was done according to their agreement. In the mean time, Archytas, whom, with others of Tarentum, Plato, before his de∣parture, had brought into the acquaintance of Dionysius, came to Dionysius; there were also others there, Auditors of Dion. Dionysius being refused upon a second invitation, thought his honour deep∣ly concerned, and thereupon sent the third time a Galley of three banks of Oares (n 1.13 trimmed with Fillets) and other Ships, and with them Archidemus, whom he conceived Plato most affected of all his friends in Sicily, and some Sicilian Noblemen:o 1.14 He had by all means obliged Archytas the Pythagorean, to let Plato know, he might come without danger, and that he would engage his word on it.p 1.15 As soon as they came to Plato, they all protested, that Dionysius was much inclined to Philosophy, and delivered an Epistle from him to this effect.

Dionysius to Plato.

(AFter the accustomed way of Preface) nothing (saith he) should you do sooner, then come to Sicily at my request. First, as conc••rning Dion, all shall be done as you will; for, I think you will only moderate things, and I will condescend: But, unlesse you come, you shall not obtain any thing which you desire for Dion, nor in anything else, not in those which chiefly concern your own particular.

q 2.1 Other Epistles were sent from Archytas, and other Italians and Tarentines, praising Dionysius for his love of learning; adding, that if Plato came not, it would reflect upon his friends, as well as on himselfe.* 2.2 Many Letters and intreaties were sent to Dion, from his Wife and Sister:r 2.3 to these were joyned the importuni∣ties of some friends of Plato's at Athens,s 2.4 insomuch that Dion brought it to passe, that Plato (t 2.5 lest he should desert him and the Tarentines) yielded to Dionysius, without any excuse; and, as he writeth himselfe, was driven the third time to the Sicilian straits.

Once more Charybdis dangers to essay.

At his arrivall in Sicily, Dionysius met him with a Chariot, drawn by four white horses,u 2.6 whereinto he took him, and made him sit, whilst himselfe plaid the Coachman: whereupon a facete

Syracusian, well vers'd in Homer, pleased with the sight, spoke these verses out of the Iliads, with a little alteration:

The Chariot groan'd beneath its waight, Proud that the best of men there sat.

And as Dionysius was much joy'd at his comming, so were the Sicilians put in great hopes, being all desirous, and endeavou∣ring, that Plato might supplant Philistus, and subvert Tyranny by Philosophy: The Ladies of the Court entertained Plato with all civility; but above all, Dionysius seemed to repose more confi∣dence in him, then in any of his friends; for, whereas he was jealous of all others, he had so great respect for Plato, that he suf∣fered him only to come to him unsearched (* 2.7 though he knew him to be Dions intimate friend) and offered him great summs of mo∣ny, but Plato would not accept any: (yetx 2.8 Onetor saith, he recei∣ved eighty Talents of him, wherewith enriched, he purchased the Books of Philolaus) whence Aristippus the Cyrenaean, who was at the same time in the Court, said, Dionysius bestoweth his bounty on sure grounds; he gives little to us who require much, and much to Plato who requireth nothing. And being blamed, that he received mony of Dionysius, Plato books, I want mony, saith he, Plato books. So untrue it is, asy 2.9 Xenophon asperseth him, that he went thither to share in the Sicilian luxury: or asz 2.10 Tzetzes, that he studied the art of Cookery, and lived with Dionysius as his pensioner and parasite. So far was he from any sordid compliance, that at a Feast,a 2.11 Di∣onysius commanding every one to put on a purple Gown, and dance, he refused, saying,

I will not with a female robe disgrace My selfe, who am a man of manly race.

Some likewise ascribe this to him, which others to Aristippus, that Dionysius saying,

Who ere comes to a Tyrant, he A servant is, though he came free.

He answered immediately,

No servant is, if he came free.

b 2.12 Plato, after a while, began to put Dionysius in minde of the City he had promised him to be governed by his rules; but Dio∣nysius retracted his promise: He moved him also in the behalfe of Dion; Dionysius at the first delay'd him, afterwards fell out with him, but so secretly, that none saw it, for he continued to confer as much honour on him, as he could possibly, thereby to make

him forsake his friendship to Dion? Plato from the beginning perceived there was no trust to be reposed in what he said or did, but that all was deceit; yet concealed that thought, and pa∣tiently suffered all; p••etending to believe him. Thus they dissem∣bled with each other, thinking they deceived the eyes of all men besides; Helicon of Cyzicum, a friend of Plato, foretold an Eclipse of the Sun, which falling out according to his prediction, the Ty∣rant much honoured him, and gave him a Talent of Silver: then Aristippus jesting with other Philosophers, said, he could tell them of a stranger thing that would happen; they desiring to know what that was, I foretel, saith he, Plato and Dionysius will be at difference ere long; and it came to passe.c 2.13 Dionysius detain'd Dion's Rent which he used to send yearly to him to Peloponnesus, pretending he kept it for his Nephew, Dion's Son. Plato discon∣tented hereat, desired he might go home, saying, he could not stay, Dion being used so ignominously: Dionysius spoke kindly to him, desiring him to stay: He thought it not convenient to let Plato go so soon to divulge his actions: but being not able to pre∣vail with him; hee told him he would provide a means for his Passage; Plato had designed to go with the Passage••boates; Dionysius seeing him bent upon his voyage, the next spoke thus kindly to him; that the differences betwixt Dion and me may be composed, I will for your sake condescend thus far, Di∣on, shall receive his revenewes living in Peloponnesus not as a banish∣ed person, but as one that may come hither when he and I, and you his friends shall think convenient. The Trustees for this businesse shall be your self, and your and his friends who live here; Dion shall receive his Rents, but through your hands, otherwise I shall not dare to trust him ▪ in you and yours I have more confidence; stay for this reason a year here; and then you shall carry along with you his money, wherein you will do Dion a great courtesie. To this Plato after a daies deliberation con∣sented; and writ to that effect to Dion; but as soon as the Shippes were gone, that Dionysius saw he had no means to away, forgeting his promise; he made sale of Dions Estate.

d 2.14 At this time hapned a mutiny amongst the Souldiers of Diony∣sius, of which Heraclides a friend of Plato's was reported the Au∣thor: Dionysius laid out to take him, but could not light on him: Walking in his Garden he called Theodot••s to him; Plato being accidently walking there at the same time; after some private discourse with Dionysius, Theodotes, turning to Plato, Plato saith he, I perswade Dionysius that I may bring Heraclides to him to answer the crimes wherewith he is charged, and then if Dionysius will not suffer him to live in Sicily, that he at least permit him to take his Wise and Children along with him to Peloponnesus, and live there, and, whilst he shall not plot any thing against Dionysius, that he may there enjoy his Revenewes. With this ussurance I have sent to Heraclides, and will send again to him to come hither; but if he come either upon the first or second notice, I have made an agreement with Dionysius, and

obtained a promise from him that he shall receive no harm, either in or without the Citty; but, if he be so resolved, that he send him away beyond the con••ines of this Country, untill he shall be better satisfied with him: Do not you Dionysius consent hereto saith he, I do, answered Dio∣nysius, neither if he be in your house shall he receive any prejudice; The next day (about 20. daies before Plato left Sicily) came Eurybi∣us and Theodotes to Plato in so much hast and trouble; Plato, said Theodotes, you were yesterday present at the agreement betwixt Dio∣nysius and me, concerning Heraclides. I was so, answered Plato, but since continues Theodotes, he hath sent out Officers to apprehend him, and I fear he is somewhere very nigh; therefore go along with us to Di∣onysius, and let us use our utmost endeavour with him: They went, when they came before him, Plato (the rest standing silent by, and weeping) began thus, ••hese men, Dionysius, are afraid lest you should do somthing against Heraclides contrary to the agreement you made yesterday, for I suppose he is come near here abouts, Dionysius at this grew angry, his colour often changed with rage; Theodotes fell at his feet, and taking him by the hand, besought him not to do any such thing: Plato continuing his speech; Be of good chear, saith he, Theodotes, for Dionysius wil•• not do any thing contrary to the promise he made yesterday. Dionysius looking severely upon Plato, to you, saith he, I made no promise; yes by the God's answered Plato, you promi∣sed not to do those things which Theodotes now beseecheth you not to do. Archedemus and Aristocritus being present; he told Plato (as hee had done once before, when he interceded for Heraclides,) That he cared for Heraclides and others more then for him: and asked him before them, whether he remembred that when he came first to Syracuse, he counselled him to restore the Graecian Cities: Plato answered, he did remember it, and that he still thought it his best course, and withall asked Dionysius whether that were the only counsell he had given him. Dionysius returned an angry contumelious reply, and asked him, laughing scornfully, whether he taught him those things as a School boy; to which Plato answe∣red, you well remember, what replies he, as a Master in Geometry, or how? Pla••o forbore to reply, fearing it might occasion a stop of his Voyage; But immediately went away; Dionysius resolved to lay wait for Heraclides; but hee escaped to the Carthaginian Territories.

From this displeasure against Plato, Dionysius took occasion to forbear to send to Dion his money; and first sent Plato out of his Castle, where, til then, he had lain next the Palace, pretending that the women were to Celebrate a Feast ten daies in the Gar∣dens where he dwelt; For that time he commanded Plato to live without the Castle with Archedemus; during which time T••eo∣dotes sent for him, and complained to him of Dionysius his proceed∣ings. Dionysius, receiving information that Plato had gone to The∣odotes, took a new occasion of displeasure against him, and sent

one to him, who asked him whether he had gone to Theodotes. Plato acknowledged that he had, then saith the Messenger, Dio∣nysius bad me ••ell you; you do not well to preferre Dion and his friends before him. Never from that time did he send for Pl••to to the Court, looking upon him as a profest friend to Theodotes and Heraclides and his profest enemy:e 2.15 Plato lived without the Castle amongst the Souldiers of the Guard▪ who, as Dionysius well knew, had born him ill will long, and sought to murtler him, because he counsel'd Dionysius to giv•• over the Tyranny, and live with∣out a Guard.f 2.16 Some, who came to visit him, gave him notice that calumnies were spread against him amongst the Souldiers,g 2.17 as if he excited Dion and Theondas to restore the Island to liberty, and that some of them threatned, when they could light upon him to kill him. Hereupon Plato began to think of some means of Escape, which he effected in this manner; He sent to Arobytas at Tarentum, and to other friends advertising them of the danger wherein he was; They, under pretence of an Embassy in the name of the Country, sent Lamascus (whom Laertius calls Lamis∣cus) one of their party with a Galley of three banks of Oares to redemand Plato, declaring that his comming to Syracuse upon the engagement of Archytas: His letter was to this effect.

Architas to Dionysius, health.

WE all Plato's friends have sent Lamiscus and Photides to re∣demand the man according to your agreement with us: You will do well to consider with what importunity you prevail'd with us to invite Plato to you, promising to yeeld to all things, and to give him liberty to go and come at his pleasure; remember how much you prized his comming, and pre••erred him before all others: if there hath hapned any difference betwixt you, it will be••it you to treat him courteously, and restore him safe to us. This if you do, you will do justly, and oblige us.

h 3.1 Dionysius to excuse himselfe, and to shew he was not angry with Plato, feasted him magnificently, and then sent him home with great testimonies of affection: One day amongst the rest he said to him, I am afraid Plato you will speak ill of me when you are amongst your friends. The Gods forbid, answered, Plato, smiling, they should have such scarcity of matter in the Academy, as to be constrained to discourse of you. Dionysius at his departure, desired him to find out whether Dion would be much displeased if he should dispose of his Wife to another; there being at that time a report that he did not like his match, and could not live quietly with his Wi••e. Plato in his return, came to Peloponnesus at what time the Olym∣pick games were celebrated; where the eyes of all the Grecians were taken off from the sports and fixed upon him as the more worthy object: Here he found Dion beholding the exercises, To

whom hee related what had happened. Dion protested to revenge the discourtesie of Dionysius towards Plato, from which Plato earnestly disswaded him: Being come home to Athens, hee wrote to Dionysius, and gave him a plain accompt of every thing, but that concerning Dion's Wife, he set it down so darkly, that hee alone to whom the letter was directed could understand him; letting him know that he had spoken with Dion•• about the busi∣nesse which he knew, and that he would be very much displeased if Dionysius did it: so that at that time, because there was great hopes of reconciliation between them, the Tyrant forbore a while to dispose of his Sister Arete, Dions Wife, as, soon after, when he saw the breach irreconcilable, he did, marrying her a∣gainst her will to one of his friends named Timocrates. Dion thence forward prepared for War against Plato's advice, who endeavoured to disswade him from it, as well for respect of Dio∣onysius his good reception of him, as for that Dion was well in years; though Aelian saith, he put Dion upon that war; which Plu∣tarch imputes to the instigations of Speusippus.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert▪ Apul:
• b 1.2

  Plat. ••pist.
• c 1.3

  Laert.
• d 1.4

  In Di••ne.
• e 1.5

  Plat. Epist. 3. & 7.
• f 1.6

  Plut. in Dione.
• g 1.7

  Wh••s s••ew Hip∣parchus, bro∣ther of Hippi∣as the Tyrant of Athens; up∣on which the Pisistratidae were expelled.
• h 1.8

  Plat. Epist.
• i 1.9

  Plutarch.
• k 1.10

  Plat. Epist. 7.
• l 1.11

  Plat. Epist.
• m 1.12

  Plat Epist. 3.
• n 1.13

  ••li••.
• o 1.14

  Plut.
• p 1.15

  Plat. Epist. 7.
• q 2.1

  Plat Epist.
• * 2.2

  Plutarch.
• r 2.3

  Plat. Epist.
• s 2.4

  Plut.
• t 2.5

  Plat.
• u 2.6

  Aelian. var. Hist. ••. 18.
• * 2.7

  Aelian. var. Hist. 4. 18.
• x 2.8

  Laert.
• y 2.9

  Epist. ad Aeschin.
• z 2.10

  Chillad.
• a 2.11

  Laert. vit. Aristip.
• b 2.12

  Plat. Epist. Plut.
• c 2.13

  Plat. Epist.
• d 2.14

  Plat. Epis••••:
• e 2.15

  Plut.
• f 2.16

  Pl••t. Epist.
• g 2.17

  Laert.
• h 3.1

  Plutarch. vit. Dion.