Megacles
(Μεγακλῆς).
1. A Syracusan, brother of Dion the son of Hipparinus, and brotherin-law of the elder Dionysius, to whose government he lent his support, and on one occasion when the tyrant was inclined to despair, urged him not to abandon the sovereignty until absolutely compelled to do so (Diod. 20.78; but see Wesseling's note). He, however, in common with his brother, became discontented at the government of the younger Dionysius, and accompanied Dion in his flight from Syracuse, B. C. 358 (Diod. 16.6). He afterwards also took part with him in his expedition to Sicily, and when Dion made himself master of Syracuse, Megacles accompanied him on his triumphal entry into the city, and was associated with him in the chief command (Plut. Dio 28, 29). But from this period his name is not again mentioned.
2. An officer in the service of Pyrrhus, who accompanied that monarch on his expedition to Italy, B. C. 280. He is mentioned as accompanying Pyrrhus when he reconnoitered the Roman camp previous to the battle of Heracleia; and in that action was the means of saving the king's life, by exchanging armour with him, and thus directing the efforts of the assailants upon himself, instead of Pyrrhus. He fell a victim to his devotion, being slain by a Roman named Decius. (Plnt. Pyrrh. 16, 17; Zonar. 8.3.) [E.H.B]
(Μεγακλῆς).
1. A name borne bv several of the Athenian family of the Alcmaeonidae. They are enumerated in the genealogical table of that family in Vol. I. p. 105 and what is known respecting those of any historical importance will be found in the articles Cylon, Peisistratus, Alcibiades, &c., which are referred to in the article Alcmaeonidae.
2. A native of Mytilene, who, with the assistance of his friends, overthrew the Penthalidae, a ruling family in Mytilene. (Arist. Pol. 5.10. p. 1311, ed. Bekker.)
3. A Greek writer, the author of a treatise on illustrious men, quoted by Athenaeus (x. p. 419a). [C.P.M]
(Μεγακλῆς), an architect of unknown country and date, who, together with Antiphilus and Pothaeus; built the treasury of the Carthaginians at Olympia. (Paus. 6.19.4.) [P.S]
(Μεγακλῆς). (1) A name borne by several of the Athenian family of the Alcmaeonidae. The most important of these was the Megacles who put to death Cylon and his adherents after they had taken refuge at the altar of Athené, B.C. 612. (See Cylon.)
(2) Son of Alcmaeon , son-inlaw of Clisthenes, leader of the Alcmaeonidae in the time of Solon. At first he was opposed to Pisistratus, and expelled him from Athens; but afterwards he became reconciled to him, gave him his daughter Coesyra in marriage, and assisted in his restoration to Athens. Pisistratus not having treated his wife in a proper manner, Megacles resented the affront, and again drove the former out of Athens; with the aid of large sums from the Thebans and other States, Pisistratus again raised an army, defeated his opponents, and drove Megacles and the partisans of the Alcmaeonidae into exile.
(3) A Syracusan, brother of Dion, and brother-in-law of the elder Dionysius. He accompanied Dion in his flight from Syracuse, B.C. 358, and afterwards returned with him to Sicily.
- father of Alcmeon: Hdt. 6.125
- leader of the "Men of the Coast,": Hdt. 1.59
- father-in-law of Pisistratus: Hdt. 1.61
- married to the daughter of Cleisthenes of Sicyon: Hdt. 6.127, Hdt. 6.130
- and grandfather of Pericles: Hdt. 6.131
- Paus. 6.19.7