Philopoemen

Philopoemen (* 253 BC in Arcadia, † 183/182 BC in Messene ) was a Greek military commander, called "the last of the Hellenes ".

Philopoemen was the son of a rich landowner Kraugis of Megalopolis in Arcadia. When his hometown beginning in 222 BC by the Spartans under Cleomenes III. was attacked, he brought the residents after Messene in safety. In the successful decisive battle against Cleomenes at Sellasia in the summer, he distinguished himself again and was 210-209 BC Hipparchus and 208-207 BC strategist of the Achaean League.

In this position, Philopoemen developed an extraordinary activity in the reorganization of the military affairs of the Achaeans and struck at Mantinea 207 BC the Spartans completely. As Sparta later conquered by the Aitoliern and the tyrant Nabis was murdered, Philopoemen led the Spartans 192 BC to union with the Achaean Confederation.

Sparta and Messenia were later reluctantly next to each other in the covenant and 183/182 BC fell from the Messenians. Instant collected Philopoemen his mercenary troops and horsemen formed from the core of the people. When hasty attack, he was caught. In Messene he had to empty the cup of poison.

After Messene had been re-conquered by the Achaeans, his ashes were ceremoniously buried in Megalopolis.

647794
de