TIMOLEON (c. 411–C. 337 B.c), of Corinth, Greek states man and general. As the champion of Greece against Carthage he is closely connected with the history of Sicily, especially Syra cuse (q.v.). He was driven into exile for 20 years by the anger of his family at his acquiescence in the death of his brother Timophanes, who had made himself tyrant. In 344 (Plutarch, Diodorus gives he was chosen to go to Syracuse in answer to an appeal to Corinth for help against factions within and the Carthaginians without. He landed at Tauromenium (Taormina) and first attacked Hicetas, tyrant of Leontini, who was master of Syracuse at the time. Carthage first supported Hicetas, then aban doned him, and he was besieged in Leontini and surrendered. Timoleon then reorganized Syracuse on the basis of the constitu tion of Diocles, and introduced new settlers from Greece. About 340 Hicetas was reinforced by a new army from Carthage, which Timoleon defeated on the Crimissus, and a renewed attempt ended in Hicetas' final defeat and death in 338. A treaty was concluded
confirming the dominion of Carthage to west of the Halycus. Timoleon then (337-336) retired into private life. He became blind some time before his death, but persisted in attending the assembly and giving his opinion, which was usually accepted as a unanimous vote. He was buried at the cost of the citizens of Syracuse, who erected a monument to his memory in their market place, and a gymnasium called Timoleonteum.