Dorieus

Dorieus (Greek Δωριεύς ) was the second son of the Spartan king Anaxandridas from the house of Agiaden and the eldest son of his first wife. His brothers were Leonidas and Cleombrotus and his half-brother Cleomenes. He had a son named Euryanax.

Departure to Libya

As Anaxandridas died, despite Dorieus ' drive and intelligence Cleomenes, the eldest son of the king, his successor. This was seen as less capable and therefore regretted many Spartans that was not Dorieus rulers. Also for Dorieus it was unbearable to be governed by Cleomenes, and so he left his home with a retinue. He went without having as usual sought the advice of the oracle. Only when he had landed on Thera, he asked for a sea route to Libya. When he arrived there, he moved on the river Kinyps. But a short time later he was expelled from the Maken and the Karchedoniern and returned to Laconia.

Colonization of Sicily

Now Antichares advised him of Eleon because of a prophecy that had formerly received Laius, to settle the land on Mount Eryx. After Heracles had once landed on Sicily and had fought with Eryx. Because he killed him, Heracles won the country and so justified to the ownership of the Dorians it.

Even the oracle of Delphi announced that Dorieus will conquer the land, and so he went on his way. When he arrived in Sicily, he founded the city of Heraclea. Now Telys planned from Sybaris to march against the city of Croton in the war. However Dorieus helped the Krotonern and so they marched against Sybaris and conquered it. Dorieus where he built a temple to Athena Krathia. According to Herodotus claimed the Krotoner that Dorieus have not stood by them.

Since Heraclea continued to grow, attracted the Carthaginians and the Egestaier against the city. Dorieus and a large part of his army fell in battle. Also Thessalos, Paraibates, Kelees and Philip, the son of Butakides came to. Only Euryleon escaped and fled with the last survivors. The city was razed to the ground. Conquered that Dorieus not it prophesied country, it was explained with the fact that he failed to comply with the fight against illicit deviated from Sybaris on his behalf and as the oracle.