Cleitarchus of Eretria

Kleitarchos (Greek: Kλειταρχος ) was a tyrant of the 4th century. BC in the city of Eretria on Euboea.

The Athenian general Phocion sat around 350 BC from the masters of the city, Plutarch of Eretria, where for a democracy. There was, however, quick to clashes of different factions within the city, where it was mainly about the question of whether Eretria should be pro- Athenian or pro- Macedonian. King Philip II of Macedonia intervened in these conflicts. Although Philip had 346 BC peace with the Athenians, he had Porthmus, the harbor Eretria by his generals Hipponicus attack and destroy; This was strongly criticized by Demosthenes. In Eretria even wanted to use as his followers Philipp Hipparchus, Automedon and Kleitarchos. However, this had in Eretria obviously a difficult position because Philip twice armed auxiliary troops under Eurylochus or Parmenion had to send to support.

Soon after Kleitarchos appears as the only tyrant of Eretria, who, although employed by Philip, apparently maintained good relations with Athens. So he participated in the Congress of Chalcis, to the union of the cities of Euboea was advised to a covenant, a project that was initiated by Demosthenes and Callias, the resulting promised a better Athenian influence on the island. However, the plan fell through, possibly because Kleitarchos spoke out against the growing Athenian influence. Then Athens decided BC to send troops to Euboea itself to push back the Macedonian influence there in 341; against this action appealed Kleitarchos of Eretria and his colleague, Philistides, the tyrant of Oreos. However, both were at the end powerless and were expelled by Phocion, who was advancing with a Athenian army out of their cities.

479615
de