Agath'ocles (361-289 B. C.), tyrant of Syracuse, was the son of a Sicilian potter. After working a while at his father's trade he became a leader of a robber band. He afterward became a soldier under Damas, attained importance, and on the death of Damas married his widow, thus acquiring immense wealth and laying the foundation of his political fortunes. He became autocrat of Syracuse in 317 B. C. He declared all debts canceled and confiscated the property of the rich and divided it among the poor.