King Archidamus II

King Archidamus II
Sparta
King
???? – 427 BC

Background
       Having taken the throne in 469 BC, King Archidamus II was the successor of his grandfather, Leotychides. They both belonged to the Eurypontid House (a royal Spartan family; there are two). After the earthquake of 464 BC, Archidamus secured Sparta against rebelling helots. In later years, his two boys would become Spartan rulers: Agis II and Agesilaus II.

Peloponnesian War Contribution
       Originally, Archidamus was opposed to the Peloponnesian War. Despite this, it would be Archidamus who led the first phase of the True Peloponnesian War against Athens and its region of Attica. The first ten years of the war were named after him.