Di·o·ny·si·us 
(dī-ə-nĭshē-əs, -nĭshəs, -nīsē-əs) Known as "the Elder." 430?-367 BC.
(dī-ə-nĭshē-əs, -nĭshəs, -nīsē-əs) Known as "the Elder." 430?-367 BC. Tyrant of Syracuse (405-367) noted for his campaigns against the Carthaginians in Sicily. His son Dionysius (395?-343?), known as "the Younger," succeeded him as tyrant in 367 and was exiled in 343 for his despotic rule.