Lydiades

Family: Megalopolis · Role: general · First appears: Book 8 · Chapter 10

At Mantinea, Lydiades was among those with the Arcadians and Mantineans when they defeated the Lacedæmonians; Megalopolis had two, “Lydiades and Leocydes.” By Book 8, Chapter 27, he was held in high honour by his city and the Achæans, and his fame was said to equal that of Aratus the son of Clinias. When he came to years of discretion, he voluntarily gave up his firmly established power.

Later, Cleomenes (son of Leonidas) captured Megalopolis in time of peace. Lydiades died fighting as inhabitants defended the city at night, “in a manner worthy of his renown”.

Relationship record

Life events

• The Mantineans and Arcadians defeated the Lacedæmonians by surrounding them.(Book 8 · Chapter 10 · 📍 Mantinea)
  • With: Podares Thrasybulus Aratus the son of Clinias Leocydes Agis (son of Eudamidas)
  • “centre. And Aratus according to preconcerted arrangement with the Arcadians fell back (he and his army) when the Lacedæmonians pressed them hard, and as they fell back they formed the shape of a crescent. And Agis and the Lacedæmonians were keen for victory, and en masse pressed fiercely on Aratus and his division. And they were followed by the Lacedæmonians on the wings, who thought it would be a great stepping stone to victory to rout Aratus and his division. But the Arcadians meanwhile stole upon their flanks, and the Lacedæmonians being surrounded lost most of their men, and their king Agis the son of Eudamidas fell. And the Mantineans said that Poseidon appeared helping”
• Lydiades voluntarily abdicated his firmly established power.(Book 8 · Chapter 27 · 📍 Megalopolis)
  • “And yet a patriot. For he was very young when he had the chief power, and when he came to years of discretion he voluntarily abdicated his power, though it was quite firmly established.”
• Lydiades died fighting while Cleomenes captured Megalopolis.(Book 8 · Chapter 27 · 📍 Megalopolis)
  • “And some of the inhabitants bravely defending their city in the night were driven out, and Lydiades fell in the action fighting in a manner worthy of his renown:”

Book 8 · Chapter 10

• with Leocydes (They were the two commanders from Megalopolis.) “and Megalopolis had two, Lydiades and Leocydes”

Book 8 · Chapter 27

• with Aratus the son of Clinias (Their fame was said to be equal.) “Lydiades was held in such high honour, both by his own city and by all the Achæans, that his fame was equal to that of Aratus.”
• enemies with Cleomenes (son of Leonidas) (Lydiades fell while defending Megalopolis against Cleomenes.) “And no long time afterwards Cleomenes the son of Leonidas took Megalopolis in time of peace. And some of the inhabitants bravely defending their city in the night were driven out, and Lydiades fell in the action fighting in a manner worthy of his renown”

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