Lydiadas of Megalopolis
Lydiadas of Megalopolis (
Biography
Probably a son of Eudamus from
As he was associated on that occasion with another general, Leocydes, it may be inferred that he had not then established himself in absolute power. If he came to power around 245 BC, he had held the position for power about ten years, when the progress of the Achaean League and the fame of its leader Aratus of Sicyon led him to form projects more worthy of his ambition. After the fall of the tyrant Aristippus of Argos, instead of waiting until he was attacked in his turn, Lydiadas determined voluntarily to abdicate as tyrant and permit Megalopolis to join the Achaean League as a free state. This generous resolution was rewarded by the Achaeans by the election of Lydiadas to the prestigious post of strategos or commander-in-chief of the confederacy the following year 233 BC.
His desire for fame and his wish to distinguish the year of his command through some brilliant exploit led him to plan an expedition against Sparta, which was, however, opposed by Aratus, who is said to have already begun to be jealous of Lydiadas' favour and reputation. Lydiadas, indeed, proved to be a formidable rival; he quickly rose to such esteem in the league as to be deemed second only to Aratus, and notwithstanding the opposition of the latter, was elected strategos a second and third time, holding that important office alternately with Aratus. The most bitter enmity had by this time arisen between the two men. Each strove to undermine the other in the popular estimation. But though Lydiadas was unable to shake Aratus' long-established standing, he maintained his ground, not withstanding the insidious attacks of his rival, and the suspicion that naturally attached to one who had formerly borne the name of tyrant.
In 227 BC, the conduct of Aratus, in avoiding a battle with
References
- ^ Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Lydiades
- ^ cf. Syll.3 504
- ^ Plutarch Aratus 30 ; Pausanias VIII 27,12.
- ^ Droysen, Hellenism, vol. II p. 372.
- ^ Pausanias VIII 10,6 and 10,10.
- ^ Polybius II 44,51 ; Plutarch Aratus 30, 35, 37, Cleomenes 6 ; Pausanias VIII 27,12-15.
Bibliography
- "Lydiades (1)", William Smith (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 2. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1867.