In the ancient world, Spartan kings were renowned for their martial prowess and tactical genius in warfare. One of the most famous of these was King Cleomenes III, who reigned from 235BC to 222BC, and who is renowned for his leadership during the Pyrrhic War. This war was fought between the Achaean League, a confederation of Greek city-states, and the kingdom of Epirus which was led by Pyrrhus.
Cleomenes was the son of Leonidas II, and had a deep respect for Spartan traditions, rituals and culture. He sought to restore Sparta’s military strength and power, which had been in decline since their defeat in the Peloponnesian War. To this end, he revived the Spartan citizen levy, reformed the syssitia system of communal meals, and began to equip his soldiers with the latest weaponry of the time. He also had an interest in diplomacy and cultivated good relations with foreign powers, including the Achaean League.
Though Cleomenes was a militaristic leader, he was also a skilled statesman. He was able to outmaneuver Pyrrhus and the Achaean League, relying on cunning and guile to secure mainly favorable terms for Sparta. During this time, Cleomenes even had the chance to capture the firebrand Pyrrhus himself and thus secure an absolute victory. However, he opted to spare his noble Greek enemy – a decision which proved costly in the years to come.
As the conflict dragged on, and Pyrrhus faced increasing pressure, he sent offers to Cleomenes to end the war, offering to pay reparations and sign a non-aggression pact. Despite pressure from his compatriots to accept this offer, Cleomenes refused. His refusal to compromise meant his soldiers were able to make their position increasingly indefensible and the peace terms improved.
A pivotal moment in the Pyrrhic War occurred when Pyrrhus changed tactics and began raiding the Spartan fringes of the Peloponnese. Cleomenes again displayed his mastery of warfare and ingenuity in response. He deployed a scarlet-clad false army to the outskirts of Sparta, drawing Pyrrhus and his forces into a trap from which they could not escape. This victory secured Spartan independence and freedom from the ambitions of foreign powers.
The Pyrrhic War saw Cleomenes gain a reputation as one of the greatest military commanders in the ancient world. He used his knowledge of the terrain, strategic acumen and political savvy to win a number of crucial flourishes against Pyrrhus. His diplomatic achievements during the conflict earned respect from foreign powers and even admiration from his enemy.
For the people of Sparta, King Cleomenes’ successes during the Pyrrhic War marked an era of Spartan resurgence. The newfound strength in the Spartan army and leadership meant they were able to withstand the pressures of war and negotiation and gain an unprecedented degree of independence and security. To this day, Cleomenes’ name still speaks of military genius and diplomatic skill, and his legacy remains one of the most revered in all of Spartan history.