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The battle of Akragas (c.472-1) was a clash
between Heiro, tyrant of Syracuse and Thrasydaeus, tyrant of Akragas, that
ended in victory for Heiro. Theron, tyrant of Akragas, had been allied with
Heiro for the last years of his rule, but in 472 Theron died and was succeeded
by his son Thrasydaeus. The new tyrant was much less successful than his
father. He had already nearly triggered a revolt when ruling Himera for his
father. He was violent and murderous even during his father's life, and soon
alienated the population of Akragas. Possibly in an attempt to preserve his
position he employed a large number of mercenaries, but he also enlisted the
citizens of Akragas and Himera, the two main cities under his command, to
create an army given as 20,000 strong by Diodorus. Thrasydaeus was planning to
attack Syracuse, but Heiro landed the first blow. He raised his own army and
marched west towards Akragas. The two sides met in battle. This was fought
between two forces of hoplites, and must have been a lengthy hard-fought
battle, for Diodorus records casualty figures of 4,000 for Akragas and 2,000
for Syracuse. The battle ended with a Syracusan victory. Thrasydaeus was forced
into exile. He attempted to find safety at Nisaean Megara in Greece, but
instead of finding safety he was tried and executed. After Thrasydaeus was
exiled he was replaced by an oligarchy ('the thousand'). This was replaced
after three years by a democracy, which negotiated peace with Heiro.
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