the art of divination from the appearance of victims offered in sacrifice.

Hieron, or Hiero I., tyrant of Syracuse, succeeded his brother Gelon, B.C. 478. Hieron had already distinguished himself at Himera. A jealousy soon arose between him and his brother Polyzelus, who had the command of the army. A war was on the point of breaking out between Hieron and Theron of Agrigentum, who had espoused the cause of Polyzelus, when a reconciliation took place between the brothers. Hiero now proceeded to extend his dominions. He seized Naxos and Catana, transferring the inhabitants to Leontini. He put Syracusans in Catana, and changed its name to Etna. Upon the death of Theron war broke out between Hieron and Thrasydaeus, son of Theron, but victory declared in favour of Hieron. His tyrannical measures led him to fear attempts against his life, and hence we are told that he kept up a large body of mercenaries, as well as numerous spies. He deserves credit, however, in two important respects. By his vigorous assistance to the Cumaeans, the power of the Etruscan pirates was completely destroyed, B.C. 474. Of the spoils consecrated after this victory, a helmet of bronze was discovered about forty years ago. Besides defeating the pirates, Hiero was the patron of poets and philosophers. He has been immortalized in the Odes of Pindar as a successful competitor at the Grecian games. Amongst the eminent men patronized by Hiero, are found the names of Pindar, Aeschylus, Xenophon, Simonides, and Epicharmus. Hieron died at Catana, B.C. 467.

Hieron II., king of Syracuse, born at the close of the fourth century B.C., was descended from Gelon. He distinguished himself as a soldier, and in a popular tumulus was chosen general by the Syracusan army. He not only got this appointment confirmed by the people themselves, but having married the daughter of Leptines, the most influential man in Syracuse, the way was open to still higher power. Not feeling secure with the fickle mercenaries who had elected him, he took occasion to expose them to be cut to pieces by the Mamertines; then levying an army of Syracusans, he proceeded to chastise the Mamertines. City after city was taken from them, and after the signal defeat which they sustained at the River Longanus, peace was granted them through the friendly interference of the Carthaginians. Returning to Syracuse, the people saluted Hieron as king. Though Hieron had assisted the Romans with provisions in their siege of Rhegium, yet as the Romans opposed his attempt to drive the Mamertines out of Sicily, hostilities were begun between them. Hiero joined the Carthaginians, but getting little or no assistance, the Roman consuls effected a landing, and after some fighting a treaty was concluded. For upwards of forty years Hiero now remained the steady friend of the Romans. He gave them valuable aid during the first Punic War at the sieges of Agrigentum and Lilybaeum. As a reward, the tribute which he formerly paid was remitted, and he was included in the treaty of peace at the close of the first Punic War, B.C. 241. After this he visited Rome, where he displayed great liberality, and received signal honours. At the breaking out of the second Punic War he remained equally steady in his friendship with the Romans, whom he assisted with ships and provisions. He is supposed to have died B.C. 216, upwards of ninety years of age.

His government was mild and eminently popular. He laid aside the pomp of royalty, and appeared undistinguishable from a private citizen. The corn laws which he established were so admirable, that in subsequent times when the Romans took possession of Sicily these laws were retained. His liberality extended to other nations besides the Romans. He sent assistance to the Rhodians, whose city had been destroyed by an earthquake, and in the largest ship then ever built he sent presents to Ptolemy king of Egypt.

Hieronymus, king of Syracuse, grandson of Hieron II., succeeded to his grandfather at the age of fifteen, B.C. 216. Up to this time a close friendship had subsisted between the Romans and Syracusans. (See Hieron II.) But the battle of Cannae, in which the Romans were so terribly defeated, disposed many of the Syracusans to join the Carthaginians. Hieron II. had appointed fifteen guardians, including Andranodorus and Zoippus, to guide the young prince, but through the intrigues of Andranodorus, who was favourable to the Carthaginians, the guardians were all induced to resign their office. The young prince was now entirely under the influence of Andranodorus and Zoippus, who were sons-in-law to Hieron II. Communications were at once opened up with Hannibal. The Carthaginian envoys were received with great favour, whereas the Roman envoys were treated with contumely. Hieronymus was preparing to take the field against the Romans with 15,000 men, when he was assassinated in Leontini by conspirators under Deimomenes. His short reign of one year and one month was disgraced by indulgence in luxury, debauchery, and cruelty. He is said to have desecrated the name of queen by raising a prostitute to that dignity.

Hierro, Isle of, one of the Canaries belonging to Spain. See Canaries.

Higden, Ralph, or Ranulph, author of the Polychronicon, was a monk of the monastery of St Werburg in Chester. He spent sixty-four years of his life in the convent where he finally died at a very advanced age. The date of his death is assigned to various years between 1360 and 1373. The Polychronicon, bringing down the history of England to 1357, is written in Latin. Of the original only that part has been published which brings down the narrative to 1066; but an English translation of the whole work by John de Trevsa was printed by Caxton at Westminster in 1482, and has been several times reprinted. Trevsa's manuscript is now in the Harleian collection, and seems not to have been very carefully followed by its original publisher.

Higham Ferrars, a borough and market-town of England, Northamptonshire, 15 miles E.N.E. of Northampton, on the Peterborough branch of the London and North-Western Railway. The parish church is a large and handsome building, richly ornamented with carvings and monuments. The old cross in the market-place, and the ruins of the ancient college, are interesting to the antiquary. There is a neat town-hall and a grammar school in the town, which before the Reform Act used to return one member to parliament. Shoes are the chief industrial product of the inhabitants. Pop. (1851) 1140.