This is proved by the fact that the Romans of that period were
all submissive to authority, and carried out the traditions of the
state, respecting the laws and the opinions of their countrymen:
whereas, except Dion, no Greek leader or general of that time had
anything to do with Sicilian affairs who did not take bribes: though
many suspected than Dion was meditating making himself king, and that he
had dreams of an empire like that of Sparta.
Timaeus tells us that the Syracusans sent away Gylippus in disgrace for
his insatiable covetousness, and the bribes which they discovered that
he received when in command. And many writers had dwelt upon the wicked
and treacherous acts which Pharax the Spartan and Kallippus the Athenian
committed, when they were endeavouring to make themselves masters of
Sicily. Yet, what were they, and what resources had they, that they
conceived such great designs: the one being only a follower of Dionysius
when he was banished from Syracuse, the other a captain of mercenaries
under Dion? But Timoleon, who was sent to the Syracusans as
generalissimo at their own request and prayer, did not seek for command,
but had a right to it. Yet when he received his power as general and
ruler from them of their own free will, he voluntarily decided to hold
it only till he should have expelled from Sicily all those who were
reigning despotically. In Aemilius again we must admire this, that he
subdued so great an empire and yet did not enrich himself by one
drachma, and never even saw or touched the king's treasures, although he
distributed much of them in presents to others.
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