Leotychidas

Leotychidas [Leotychides] (Λεωτυχίδης)( c. 545 BC- 469 BC) was the ruler of Sparta from 491 BC-476 BC and led Spartan forces during the Persian War from 490 BC-478 BC

Born in Sparta around 545 BC Leotychidas, a descendent of the house of Eurypontid, came to power with the help of Cleomenes I by challenging Demaratus for the throne of Sparta in 491 BC Later that year joined Cleomenes second expedition to Aegina (Aigina) where ten hostages were seized and given to Athens however after Cleomenes death in 488 BC Leotychidas was almost surrendered to Aegina. In the spring of 479 BC Leotychidas commanded a Greek fleet consisting of 110 ships at Aegina and later at Delos later supporting the Greek revolts at Chios (Khios) and Samos against Persia. Defeated Persian military and naval forces at Cape Mycale on the coast of Asia Minor in the summer of 479 BC (possibly around mid-August). In 476 BC Leotychidas led an expedition to Thessaly against the Aleudae family for collaboration with the Persians but withdrew after being bribed by the family. Returning to Sparta he was tried for bribery fleeing to the temple of Athena Alea in Tegea. Sentenced to exile his house was burned and his grandson Archidamus II became the Spartan Ruler as Leotychidas died some years later around 469 BC

Battle of Mycale

Further Reading

• Andrew R. Burn, Persia and the Greeks: The Defense of the West 456-478 B.C., New York, 1962
  
• Peter Green, The Year of Salamis 480-479 B.C., London, 1970
  
• Simon Hornblower, The Greek World, 479-323 B.C., 3rd ed., London 2002
  

Preceded by Demaratus

Eurypontid King of Sparta c. 491 BC– 469 BC

Succeeded by Archidamus II

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