Leonidas II

Leonidas II was a king of Sparta of the Agiad dynasty from 254 BC. C. until 235 BC. c. He was educated at the Persian court, and according to Plutarch's Life of Agis, he married a Persian woman.

Leonidas II opposed the reform attempts of his Eurypontid colleague, Agis IV. The ephor Lysander claimed to have seen a sign from the gods against Leonidas, and he fled to avoid trial. In his absence he was deposed and replaced by his son-in-law, Cleombrotus II.

Family

He was the father of three children, with his wife, Cratesiclea, who belonged to the Seleucid dynasty founded by Seleucus I Nicátor.

His son Cleomenes III succeeded him, and at the age of 18 he married Agiatis, widow of Agis IV, the Eurypontid king. His daughter, Chilonis, married Cleombrotus II, who replaced his father-in-law for some time. She was notable for her fidelity, first to her father, whom she followed into exile, and then to her husband, whom she also accompanied into exile, when her father regained power.