Gelon was a 5th-century BC ruler of Gela and Syracuse and first of the Deinomenid rulers.
Originally a priest, Gelon fought in a number of the conflicts on Sicily and earned a reputation as a formidable soldier - and became commander of the cavalry for Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela.
In 491 BC Gelon seized power in Gela with the help of the army - and in 485 BC he conquered Syracuse, which prospered under his rule.
In 480 BC, he won a massive victory at the Battle of Himera against a formidable Carthagenian army. He died in 478 BC after ruling Syracuse for 7 years.
Originally a priest, Gelon fought in a number of the conflicts on Sicily and earned a reputation as a formidable soldier - and became commander of the cavalry for Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela.
In 491 BC Gelon seized power in Gela with the help of the army - and in 485 BC he conquered Syracuse, which prospered under his rule.
In 480 BC, he won a massive victory at the Battle of Himera against a formidable Carthagenian army. He died in 478 BC after ruling Syracuse for 7 years.
(1)
Gelon I
Obverse: Head of Artemis-Arethustra right, hair turned up behind under diadem of beads, ΣV[RA] before
Reverse: Octopus/Cuttle-fish
Diameter:
6 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.41 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.41 g
Style indicates pre-second democracy, i.e. Gelon or Hieron I.
Clipped.
cf. Sear 929