Agesilaus II
Who was Agesilaus II?
King of Sparta
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Agesilaus II (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Agesilaus II ruled Sparta from approximately 400 to 360 BC during one of the most turbulent periods in ancient Greek history. Born into the Eurypontid royal house around 445-444 BC, he ascended to the throne despite not being the original heir, following the controversial succession after his half-brother Agis II's death. His reign coincided with Sparta's brief period of hegemony over Greece following their victory in the Peloponnesian War, making him the primary architect of Spartan foreign policy during this critical era.
Agesilaus demonstrated exceptional military prowess throughout his career, personally leading campaigns across the Greek world. His most significant early achievement was his expedition to Asia Minor from 396 to 394 BC, where he successfully challenged Persian influence and won several notable victories against Persian forces. However, he was forced to return to Greece when the Corinthian War erupted, requiring Sparta to defend its position against a coalition of former allies including Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and Argos, all supported by Persian gold.
The king's military skills were matched by his political acumen in domestic affairs, but he proved less capable in the complex diplomatic landscape of fourth-century Greece. His aggressive policies toward former allies gradually isolated Sparta and contributed to the formation of hostile coalitions. The rise of Theban power under Epaminondas presented the greatest challenge to his leadership, culminating in Sparta's devastating defeat at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, which effectively ended Spartan dominance over Greece and reduced the city-state to secondary status.
Despite these setbacks, Agesilaus continued to pursue opportunities to restore Spartan power and influence. In his final years, he accepted employment as a mercenary commander in Egypt, leading Spartan forces in support of the pharaoh Tachos against Persian interests. This expedition, undertaken when he was over eighty years old, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Spartan interests and his personal courage. He died in Cyrene in 360-359 BC while returning from this campaign, having ruled Sparta for approximately four decades through some of the most challenging periods in its history.
Before Fame
Agesilaus was born as the younger son of King Eurypontid Archidamus II, making succession unlikely under normal circumstances. His path to power opened unexpectedly following the death of his half-brother King Agis II around 400 BC, when questions arose about the legitimacy of Agis's son Leotychidas. Agesilaus successfully contested the succession with support from influential Spartans including Lysander, who believed the younger prince would be more malleable to his political agenda.
His early life coincided with the final phases of the Peloponnesian War, during which Sparta emerged victorious over Athens and its allies in 404 BC. This victory left Sparta as the dominant power in Greece, inheriting the problematic task of managing an empire while maintaining its traditional social and political systems. The young prince would have witnessed the challenges facing Sparta as it attempted to govern territories and populations vastly different from its own rigid society.
Key Achievements
- Led successful military campaigns in Asia Minor against Persian forces from 396-394 BC
- Maintained Spartan hegemony over Greece for over two decades following the Peloponnesian War
- Successfully defended Sparta during the Corinthian War against a coalition of Greek city-states
- Commanded respect as a military leader well into his eighties, leading campaigns in Egypt
- Preserved Spartan independence and territory despite major defeats like Leuctra
Did You Know?
- 01.He was physically lame in one leg, which led to the famous comment that Sparta had 'a lame king' when he contested the throne succession
- 02.His friend Xenophon wrote both a historical account of his reign and a separate panegyric biography specifically to defend his reputation
- 03.Despite ruling during Sparta's imperial period, he never personally commanded a naval fleet, reflecting traditional Spartan emphasis on land-based warfare
- 04.He was over eighty years old when he undertook his final military campaign in Egypt, demonstrating extraordinary longevity for an active military commander
- 05.His reign lasted approximately forty years, making him one of the longest-serving kings in Spartan history