Agesilaus (statesman)
Encyclopedia
Agesilaus was a Sparta
n statesman, the uncle of Agis IV
, and the father of Hippomedon
. When Agis IV began his constitutional reforms in Sparta
, Hippomedon entered warmly into the schemes of Agis, and was instrumental in gaining over Agesilaus to their support. Agesilaus was a man of large property, but who, being deeply involved in debt, hoped to profit by the reforms of Agis. Under the cloak of patriotism, and during the absence of Agis on his expedition to Corinth
to support Aratus
, Agesilaus gave so much dissatisfaction by his administration at Sparta, that Leonidas II
was recalled by the opposite party, and Agesilaus was compelled to flee the city, aided by his son.
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
n statesman, the uncle of Agis IV
Agis IV
Agis IV , the elder son of Eudamidas II, was the 24th king of the Eurypontid dynasty of Sparta. Posterity has reckoned him an idealistic but impractical monarch.-Succession:...
, and the father of Hippomedon
Hippomedon of Sparta
Hippomedon of Sparta was the cousin of Agis IV in Sparta. Hippomedon was instrumental in gaining for his father Agesilaus a powerful position under Agis, but Agesilaus mismanaged affairs and they were exiled...
. When Agis IV began his constitutional reforms in Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
, Hippomedon entered warmly into the schemes of Agis, and was instrumental in gaining over Agesilaus to their support. Agesilaus was a man of large property, but who, being deeply involved in debt, hoped to profit by the reforms of Agis. Under the cloak of patriotism, and during the absence of Agis on his expedition to Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
to support Aratus
Aratus of Sicyon
Aratus was a statesman of the ancient Greek city-state of Sicyon and a leader of the Achaean League. He deposed the Sicyonian tyrant Nicocles in 251 BC. Aratus was an advocate of Greek unity and brought Sicyon into the Achaean League, which he led to its maximum extent...
, Agesilaus gave so much dissatisfaction by his administration at Sparta, that Leonidas II
Leonidas II
Leonidas II , was Agiad King of Sparta from 254 to 235 BC. He was raised at the Persian Court, and according to Plutarch's Life of Agis IV, he married a Persian woman. According to other sources, this non-Spartan wife was actually a Seleucid, possibly the daughter of Seleucus I Nicator by his...
was recalled by the opposite party, and Agesilaus was compelled to flee the city, aided by his son.