Cleombrotus I

Cleombrotus I ( † 371 BC, presumably on August 5 ) was the son of Pausanias and a Spartan king of the race of Agiaden.

Accession

After his father was 395 BC fled Sparta allegations of corruption, was Cleombrotus ' brother Agesipolis his successor. Since they were both still children, they were initially under the tutelage of Aristodemus. As Agesipolis 380 BC died childless, Cleombrotus was himself king. About an independent political activity Cleombrotus ' is not known - he was completely overshadowed by his Mitkönigs Agesilaus II.

First Campaign against Thebes

In the spring of 378 BC Cleombrotus was sent by the ephors as a military leader against Thebes. He succeeded without major problems, the contingent that guarded the pass on Kithairon overwhelm and penetrate into Boeotia. He camped sixteen days in the Theban area. Then he went without further action by Thespiai and let there Sphoridas with part of his force as Harmost back. The soldiers were surprised by the actions of Cleombrotus and wondered whether one would be in war or peace. On the march, the convoy came in a storm and they lost in the mountains many packhorse. Cleombrotus ' inaction also came home with incomprehension. For this reason, some for the next two expeditions Agesilaus II as a military leader.

Second Campaign Against Thebes

Was 376 BC, ill as Agesilaus, the army leadership was trusted again Cleombrotus. He advanced to the Cithaeron and instructed the peltasts with the removal of the guard at the pass. However, they met with strong opposition. When they had 40 of them fallen, Cleombrotus decided to return to Sparta. This failure increased the suspicion of Cleombrotus.

Intervention in Phocis

In the spring of 374 BC the Thebans invaded Phocis. Cleombrotus set with four regiments and corresponding units of the allies of the Gulf of Corinth. When the Thebans learned of his arrival, they retreated back to Boeotia. Cleombrotus remained until 371 BC there.

Third Campaign against Thebes

After the conclusion of peace with Athens Cleombrotus got the order to march against Thebes to the field. He evaded the pass of Koroneia, was occupied by Epaminondas, and initially captured the port city Kreusis and 12 triremes lying there. Now he marched towards Thebes and arrived at Leuctra on the Theban army, led by Epaminondas and Pelopidas the generals. From him came Sparta Archidamus, son of Agesilaus to help. It came to the battle and among the first who fell was Cleombrotus. It was a debacle for the Spartan army; while they suffered losses of 1,000 troops, fell to only 47 Theban page

With this defeat the Spartan supremacy ended in Greece. Successor of Cleombrotus was his eldest son Agesipolis. His younger son was Cleomenes.

Swell

  • Marcus Tullius Cicero, De Officiis, 1, 24
  • Diodorus, Libraries historiké, 15, 51-55 (English )
  • Pausanias, traveling in Greece, 1, 13, 4; 3, 5, 7; 3, 6, 1; 9, 13, 2 - 10
  • Plutarch, Agesilaus, 24; 26; 28 (English )
  • Plutarch, Pelopidas, 13; 20 - 23 (English )
  • Plutarch, Apophthegmata Laconica (English )
  • Xenophon, Hellenica, 5, 4, 14-18; 5, 4, 59; 6, 1, 1-6, 4, 15 (English )
  • King (Sparta )
  • Greek ( Ancient )
  • Military person (Sparta )
  • Man
  • Born in the 5th century BC
  • Died 371 BC
Agesipolis I. Thespiae Koroneia, Boeotia Archidamus III Agesipolis II. Cleomenes II
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