This illustration, by the Italian artist Vincenzo Camuccini (1771-1844), was inspired by the dramatic Spartan royal power struggle that occurred in the 3rd century BCE. In particular, Camuccini showcases the complicated relationship between King Leonidas II of Sparta (ruled approximately 251?-235 BCE) and his son-in-law, Cleombrotus II. Despite the pair’s family ties, Cleombrotus sided against his father-in-law during the political struggles, forcing Leonidas II briefly into exile until the king returned to seek bitter vengeance.
For most of its ancient history, Sparta was ruled by two co-existing kings. Leonidas II was from the Agiad line of kings, and his co-ruler during the time of the political struggles was King Agis IV (r. 244/243-241 BCE) of the Eurypontid lineage. Agis IV was a young and ambitious visionary who hoped he could reform Spartan society back to its former greatness by carrying out land redistribution and reviving the teachings of Lycurgus—Sparta’s legendary founding father who was attributed with cultivating the state’s luxury-opposed and militant culture. With this in mind, eager Agis began proposing an avalanche of ambitious reforms, including the clearing of debts, a reinstitution of the ancient Spartan communal mess hall system, and the aforementioned redistribution of Spartan land. Agis supposedly led by example, personally handing over his own estates for redistribution and lending a great deal of money to the state treasury. Interestingly, King Agis IV had support in this endeavor from his immediate family, including his mother, Agesistrata, and his grandmother, Archidamia. Yet, Agis’ co-ruler, King Leonidas II, was not a fan of the reforms and instead became the leader of the faction that opposed the proposals.
With the co-kings at an impasse, internal intrigue began and King Agis IV launched the first blow. His faction brought charges against King Leonidas II, who fled in exile to the safety of a temple. At this point, Cleombrotus II entered the scene. As Sparta needed to maintain its two-king system, Agis IV elevated Cleombrotus to become the new Agiad co-king of Sparta. Although it looked like everything was going his way, looks can be deceiving. Momentum began to shift against Agis IV around 241 BCE, when Agis left the city of Sparta to oversee military assistance to the Achaean League. It was a short and uneventful expedition for the Spartan troops, but the king’s brief absence had a drastic effect on Sparta. Agis’ friends and deputies proved to be corrupt and abusive when the king was not around, reigniting and reinvigorating the opposition movement against Agis IV. Before the end of 241 BCE, the opposing faction invited the exiled king, Leonidas II, back to Sparta, setting up the scene that Vincenzo Camuccini re-created in his art.
With the return of Leonidas, it was now time for Agis and Cleombrotus to flee to the sanctuary of sacred temples. Nevertheless, they both ultimately fell into the clutches of their enemies. In the aftermath, Cleombrotus was promptly deposed and Leonidas II was reinstated as the rightful king of the Agiad line. With his power restored, Leonidas went on an execution rampage, killing Agis IV, along with his mother and grandmother, as they had supported the reforms. As for Cleombrotus, Leonidas faced a tougher decision—after all, Cleombrotus was married to Leonidas’ daughter, Chilonis. While the old king considered the sentencing, he faced an onslaught of pleas for mercy from his daughter and grandchildren. The biographer, Plutarch (50-120), described the scene:
“She [Leonidas’ daughter] changed sides with them and was seen sitting as a suppliant beside her husband, with her arms flung around him and her children at her feet, one on either side. Everyone was astonished and moved to tears at the woman’s goodness and devotion….Chilonis laid her face on Cleombrotus’ head and turned her gaze towards those present, her eyes blinded and melted by grief” (Parallel Lives, Life of Agis IV, 17-18).
Chilonis succeeded in her task and convinced her father, Leonidas II, to show mercy. Instead of execution, Cleombrotus was sentenced to exile. Vincenzo Camuccini’s artwork re-creates this dramatic confrontation between Leonidas and the distraught family of Cleombrotus and Chilonis.
Written by C. Keith Hansley
Sources:
- Life of Agis by Plutarch in his Parallel Lives, translated by Richard J. A. Talbert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2005.
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Agis-IV
- https://www.europeana.eu/en/item/15508/17264r
- https://sammlungenonline.albertina.at/?query=search=/record/objectnumbersearch=[17264r]&showtype=record
