of Syracuse and Gela, the despot.





HIERO, or "THE TYRANT"

A Discourse on Despotic Rule


I

Once upon a time Simonides the poet paid a visit to Hiero the
"tyrant,"[1] and when both obtained the liesure requisite, Simonides
began this conversation:

[1] Or, "came to the court of the despotic monarch Hiero." For the
"dramatis personae" see Dr. Holden's Introduction to the "Hieron"
of Xenophon.

Would you be pleased to give me information, Hiero, upon certain
matters, as to which it is likely you have greater knowledge than
myself?[2]

[2] Or, "would you oblige me by explaining certain matters, as to
which your knowledge naturally transcends my own?"

And pray, what sort of things may those be (answered Hiero), of which
I can have greater knowledge than yourself, who are so wise a man?