Areus (son of Acrotatus)

Also known as: Areus · Family: Lacedæmonians · Role: son of Acrotatus · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 13

In Book 1, Areus and Cleonymus disputed the kingship; the Senate later awarded the hereditary office to Areus rather than Cleonymus. In Book 3, Antigonus campaigned against Athens, and the Lacedæmonians came out with Areus the king at their head; Patroclus also urged Areus and the Lacedæmonians to begin battle against Antigonus.

Areus had a son, Acrotatus, whose son Areus died aged eight; Leonidas then became king as the family’s only surviving male. In Book 7, Areus and Alcibiades brought charges against the Achæans before the Roman Senate. The Achæans sentenced them to death, but Appius’s council declared that they had committed no crime and allowed the Lacedæmonians to send envoys to Rome.

Relationship record

Life events

• The Senate awarded the hereditary kingship to Areus instead of Cleonymus.(Book 3 · Chapter 6)
  • With: Cleonymus (son of Cleomenes)
  • “The Senate decided that to Areus the son of Acrotatus and not to Cleonymus belonged the hereditary office.”
• After the young Areus died, Leonidas became king as the family's only surviving male.(Book 3 · Chapter 6)
  • With: Acrotatus (son of Areus) Leonidas
  • “And Areus had a son Acrotatus, and he had a son Areus, who was only 8 when he fell sick and died. And as now Leonidas was the only male left of the family of Eurysthenes, though quite an old man, the Lacedæmonians made him king.”
• Areus and Alcibiades accused the Achæans before the Roman Senate.(Book 7 · Chapter 9)
  • With: Alcibiades
  • “Further charges still were brought against the Achæans by Areus and Alcibiades”
• The Achæans sentenced Areus and Alcibiades to death.(Book 7 · Chapter 9)
  • With: Alcibiades
  • “And the Achæans on their return from Rome sentenced them to death in their Council.”
• Appius’s council declared Areus and Alcibiades innocent and permitted Spartan envoys to visit Rome.(Book 7 · Chapter 9)
  • With: Appius Alcibiades
  • “passed a vote that Areus and Alcibiades had committed no crime against the Achæans, and allowed the Lacedæmonians to send envoys to Rome”

Book 1 · Chapter 13

• parent: Acrotatus (son of Cleomenes) “there was a dispute who should be king between Acrotatus’ son, Areus, and Cleonymus.”
• elder kin: Cleonymus (son of Cleomenes) “there was a dispute who should be king between Acrotatus’ son, Areus, and Cleonymus.”
• rivals with Cleonymus (son of Cleomenes) “there was a dispute who should be king between Acrotatus’ son, Areus, and Cleonymus.”

Book 3 · Chapter 6

• parent: Acrotatus (son of Cleomenes) “between Cleonymus the son of Cleomenes and Areus the son of Acrotatus”
• rivals with Cleonymus (son of Cleomenes) “there was a dispute who should be king between Cleonymus the son of Cleomenes and Areus the son of Acrotatus.”
• child: Acrotatus (son of Areus) “And Areus had a son Acrotatus, and he had a son Areus”
• enemies with Antigonus (son of Demetrius) (Their forces opposed one another in the conflict.) “Antigonus the son of Demetrius made an expedition against Athens both by land and sea. ... the Lacedæmonians came out in full force with Areus the king at their head.”
• with Patroclus (Patroclus urged Areus to attack Antigonus.) “Patroclus sent messengers and begged the Lacedæmonians and Areus to begin the battle against Antigonus”

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Extracted from the original text of Pausanias' Description of Greece. Made with Rho MD.