Timoleon
a Greek general; born of a noble family at Corinth in the beginning of the 4th century B. C. He saved the life of his brother Timophanes in a battle with the Argeians; but his patriotism was stronger than his personal affections, and when that brother sought to establish a "tyranny," Timoleon procured his assassination, 366 B. c. This act, though publicly approved, preyed on his mind, and he lived retired for 20 years.
In 344, when Timoleon was 50 years old, ambassadors from Syracuse arrived at Corinth imploring aid against Dionysius the younger, who was seeking to recover his authority over the city. Timoleon was made leader of the Corinthian expeditionary force, and ultimately made himself master of Syracuse, repelling the efforts of the Carthaginian allies in a great battle at Crimissus (399 в. c.). In six years he succeeded in clearing Sicily of tyrants and in establishing free democratic constitutions. His work now done, he resigned his power and lived a private citizen profoundly respected, till his death in 337-336. Plutarch and Cornelius Nepos have written his life.