Cleomenes (son of Leonidas)

Also known as: Cleomenes · Family: Sparta · Role: king · First appears: Book 2 · Chapter 9

Cleomenes succeeded to the Spartan throne as the son of Leonidas and grandson of Cleonymus. He sought autocratic power, poisoned the young Eurydamidas, king of the other royal branch, and vested the Ephors’ power in his brother Epiclidas. At Dyme he defeated the Achæans under Aratus the son of Clinias, prompting Aratus to seek Antigonus’s aid; at Sellasia, Antigonus and the Achæans defeated Cleomenes and restored Sparta’s old polity.

Cleomenes later made peace with Antigonus and the Achæans, but broke his engagements and captured Megalopolis during a truce, reducing it to slavery and killing or capturing many inhabitants. Lydiades fell defending the city. Cleomenes fled to Egypt and received honours from Ptolemy, but after being imprisoned for inciting revolt, he escaped, caused trouble at Alexandria, and eventually committed suicide.