Learchus (regicide)

Little is known about Learchus, besides what is written in Plutarch's Moralia and the Histories by Herodotus, who mentions him in passing. Learchus appears to have been an early acquaintance of murder, having killed a Cyrenaean noble who was the husband of the Princess Critola and father of Queen Eryxo.

When Battus II of Cyrene died, his son Arcesilaus II ascended the throne, along with his queen, Eryxo. Arcesilaus appointed Learchus as his advisor. Herodotus states that Learchus was his brother, but Plutarch contradicts him in saying that Learchus was an ill-mannered and vicious friend. A further contradiction is presented in that Herodotus speaks of the activities of Learchus as the activities of the "brothers of Arcesilaus" and does not mention Learchus by name until he is identified as the regicide of Arcesilaus. Arcesilaus followed the counsels of Learchus and became increasingly tyrannical. It is in this manner that Arcesilaus gained the epithet "the Oppressor." During this time, Learchus was secretly plotting to overthrow Arcesilaus and become Cyrenaica's new king, and he manipulated Arcesilaus into ordering the banishment or death of many Cyrenaean nobles.

When Arcesilaus found out about Learchus’ plotting, they quarrelled over the kingship and Learchus falsely blamed all misdoing on the king. Arcesilaus then ordered Learchus and his supporters to be exiled from Cyrenaica.

Learchus and his supporters left the city of Cyrene and created their own settlement called Barca (sometimes known as Meri, Libya). During the construction of Barca, Learchus was able to persuade local Libyans to withdraw their allegiance from Cyrene and encourage them to come with him and to declare war on Arcesilaus. The Libyans were already disgruntled at having been cut off from a large part of their lands. Thus, Learchus gained an army.

News of Learchus and his army preceded them and reached the ears of Arcesilaus, who gathered his forces and marched to meet their opponents. Learchus and the local Libyans were alarmed at the Cyrenaean troops approaching them and hastily withdrew. Arcesilaus and the Cyrenaean troops chased Learchus and his supporters across the country into eastern Libya unto a site called Leucon, the location of which is unknown. Then Learchus and his supporters decided to attack the king and his army. Arcesilaus and the Cyrenaean troops were defeated and lost up to 7,000 soldiers.

After his defeat by Learchus, Arcesilaus fell gravely ill after drinking a poisonous drink containing a deadly animal called a sea hare, which had been given to him on orders by Learchus, who then succeeded in slipping into their camp, where he strangled Arcesilaus himself. In the interregnum that followed, Learchus declared himself king and then returned to the capital, Cyrene, in triumph.