Archidamus V

king of Sparta

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Flourished:: 3rd century bc

Flourished:: c.300 BCE - c.201 BCE

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Archidamus V (flourished 3rd century bc) was the 27th Spartan king of the Eurypontids, son of Eudamidas II, and grandson of Archidamus IV. He fled to Messenia after the murder of his brother Agis IV in 241 bc. In 227 he was recalled by Cleomenes III, who was then reigning without a colleague, but shortly after his return Archidamus was assassinated. The historian Polybius accused Cleomenes of the murder, but Plutarch is probably right in saying that it was the work of those who had caused the death of Agis and who feared his brother’s vengeance.

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