A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Δαφναῖος), a Syracusan, one of the leaders of the popular party in that city after the death of Diocles. He was appointed to command the troops sent by the Syracuans, together with their Sicilian and Italian allies, to the relief of Agrigentum, when it was besieged by the Carthaginians, B. C. 406. He at first defeated the force despatched by Himilco to oppose his advance, but was unable to avert the fall of Agrigentum, and consequently shared in the unpopularity caused by that event, and was deposed, together with the other generals, on the motion of Dionysins. As soon as the latter had established himself in the supreme command, he summoned an assembly of the people, and procured the execution of Daphnaeus together with his late colleague, Demarchus.

According to Aristotle, the great wealth of Daphnaeus had made him an object of jealousy with the lower populace. (Diod. 13.86, 87, 92, 96; Arist. Pol. 5.5.)

[E.H.B]