For Hiero in the first place acquired the sovereignty of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syracuse&groupId=994&placeId=1753">Syracuse</a> and her allies by his own merit, having found ready provided for him by fortune neither wealth, fame, nor anything else.
And, what is more, he mad himself king of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syracuse&groupId=994&placeId=1753">Syracuse</a> unaided, without killing, exiling, or injuring a single citizen, which indeed is the most remarkable thing of all;
and not only did he acquire his sovereignty so, but maintained it in the same manner.
For during a reign of fifty-four years he kept his country at peace and his own power undisturbed by plots, and he kept clear of that envy which is wont to wait on superiority.
Actually on several occasions when he wished to lay down his authority, he was prevented from doing so by the common action of the citizens.
And having conferred great benefits on the Greeks, and studied to win their high opinion, he left behind him a great personal reputation and a legacy of universal goodwill to the Syracusans.
Further, although he lived constantly in the midst of affluence, luxury, and most lavish expenditure, he survived till over ninety, and retained all his faculties, as well as keeping every part of his body sound, which seems to me to testify in no slight measure, indeed very strongly, to his having led a temperate life.
Gelo, who lived till over fifty, set before himself in his life the most admirable object, that is to obey his father, and not to esteem either wealth or royal power or anything else as of higher value than affection and loyalty to his parents.
Walbank Commentary