Note 1435 — Chapter X · (a) Capitalist Despots of the Age of Aristotle, (b) the Money Power of the Rulers of Pergamum, (c) Protogenes of Olbia

Dionysius himself had a clearer conception of the danger of a monopolist becoming a political potentate, as appears from a passage of Aristotle himself. “In Sicily a certain person who had had money deposited with him bought up all the iron from the iron works (σιδηρείων), and after that, when the merchants came from the emporia, he was the sole salesman. He did not greatly overcharge; but none the less on fifty talents he made a hundred. When Dionysius perceived this he told him to take off the money, but not to remain any longer in Syracuse, since he had discovered a source of income that was prejudicial to his interests.” (Arist. Pol. II. 1259a.) The incident as described hardly, however, suggests that the monopolist was Dionysius’ greatest danger.