2. Tyrant of Agrigentum, who appears to have established his power over that city during the
period of confusion which followed the death of Agathocles (
War soon broke out between these two despots, in which Phintias was defeated near Hybla. But
this success having induced Hicetas to engage with a more formidable enemy, the Carthaginians,
he was defeated in his turn, and Phintias, who was probably in alliance with that power, was
now able to extend his authority over a considerable part of Sicily. Among the cities subject
to his rule we find mention of Agyrium, which is a sufficient proof of the extent of his
dominions. He at the same time made a display of his wealth and power by foundling a new city,
to which he gave his own name, and whither he removed all the inhabitants from Gelis, which he
razed to the ground. His oppressive and tyrannical government subsequently alienated the minds
of his subjects, and caused the revolt of many of the dependent cities; but he had the wisdom
to change his line of policy, and, by adopting a milder rule, retained possession of the
sovereignty until his death. The period of this is not mentioned, but we may probably infer
from the fragments of Diodorus, that it preceded the expulsion of Hicetas from Syracuse, andl
may therefore be referred to Eae. Hoeschel. p. 495, Fxc. Vals. p. 562.)
There are extant coins of Phintias, from which we learn that he assumed the title of king,
in imitation of Agathocles. They all have the figure of a boar running on the reverse, and a
head of Apollo or Diana on the obverse. Those which