Athanis of Syracuse (Ἄθανις ὁ Συρακούσιος) was a Syracusan historian of the 4th century BCE. He was a contemporary and associate of the tyrant Dionysius II and, according to Diodorus Siculus, a member of the "Friends" (φίλοι) of Dion [1][2]. Following Dion's assassination in 354 BCE, Athanis was elected a general before being replaced by a democratic faction, placing him directly within Syracuse's turbulent politics [1][2].

His sole known work, a History of Sicily, is now lost. It continued the narrative of Philistus of Syracuse from around 363/2 BCE, covering at least the career of Dion (357-354 BCE) [1][2][3]. The work is cited by Diodorus and listed in the Suda lexicon [1][2].

Athanis provides a valuable primary source for Sicilian history, particularly the downfall of the Dionysian tyranny. As a participant in the events he described, his lost history was used by later historians like Diodorus Siculus, bridging a critical gap in the historiographical record of Sicily [1][2].

Sources 1. Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Book 16. (Perseus Digital Library): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0084:book=16:chapter=16&highlight=athanis 2. Smith, William. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, 1867, entry "Athanis." (Perseus Digital Library): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=athanis-bio-1 3. Suda lexicon, entry "Athanis." (ToposText): https://topostext.org/work/240#at.1