§1.1Dion, Hipparini filius, Syracusanus, nobili genere natus, utraque implicatus tyrannide Dionysiorum.
Dion, the son of Hipparinus, a Syracusan, born of a noble family, was involved in both tyrannies of the Dionysii.
namque ille superior Aristomachen, sororem Dionis, habuit in matrimonio, ex qua duos filios, Hipparinum et Nisaeum, procreavit totidemque filias, nomine Sophrosynen et Areten, quarum priorem Dionysio filio, eidem cui regnum reliquit, nuptum dedit, alteram, Areten, Dioni.
For the elder Dionysius had in marriage Aristomache, the sister of Dion, by whom he fathered two sons, Hipparinus and Nisaeus, and as many daughters, by name Sophrosyne and Arete; of whom he gave the former in marriage to his son Dionysius, the very one to whom he left his kingdom, and the other, Arete, to Dion.
§1.2Dion autem praeter generosam propinquitatem nobilemque maiorum famam multa alia ab natura habuit bona, in eis ingenium docile, come, aptum ad artes optimas, magnam corporis dignitatem, quae non minimum commendat, magnas praeterea divitias a patre relictas, quas ipse tyranni muneribus auxerat.
Dion, moreover, besides his noble connection and the illustrious reputation of his ancestors, possessed many other good qualities from nature; among these, a character teachable, affable, and adapted to the best arts; great dignity of body, which commends him in no small degree; and furthermore, great wealth left by his father, which he himself had increased by the presents of the tyrant.
§1.3erat intimus Dionysio priori, neque minus propter mores quam affinitatem.
He was very intimate with the elder Dionysius, no less on account of his character than his family connection.
namque etsi Dionysii crudelitas ei displicebat, tamen salvum propter necessitudinem, magis etiam suorum causa studebat.
For although the cruelty of Dionysius was displeasing to him, yet he was anxious for his safety on account of their relationship, and even more for the sake of his own people.
aderat in magnis rebus, eiusque consilio multum movebatur tyrannus, nisi qua in re maior ipsius cupiditas intercesserat.
He was present in important affairs, and the tyrant was much influenced by his advice, except when his own greater desire intervened.
§1.4legationes vero omnes, quae essent illustriores, per Dionem administrabantur: quas quidem ille diligenter obeundo, fideliter administrando crudelissimum nomen tyranni sua humanitate leniebat.
Indeed, all the embassies that were of greater distinction were managed through Dion; and by diligently executing and faithfully administering them, he softened the tyrant's most cruel reputation with his own humanity.
§1.5hunc a Dionysio missum Karthaginienses sic suspexerunt, ut neminem umquam Graeca lingua loquentem magis sint admirati.
When he was sent by Dionysius, the Carthaginians respected him so highly that they never admired anyone speaking the Greek language more.