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Agathocles, the Sicilian,[1] became King of Syracuse not only

from a private but from a low and abject position. This man, the

son of a potter, through all the changes in his fortunes always

led an infamous life. Nevertheless, he accompanied his infamies

with so much ability of mind and body that, having devoted

himself to the military profession, he rose through its ranks to

be Praetor of Syracuse. Being established in that position, and

having deliberately resolved to make himself prince and to seize

by violence, without obligation to others, that which had been

conceded to him by assent, he came to an understanding for this

purpose with Amilcar, the Carthaginian, who, with his army, was

fighting in Sicily.