Pleistarchus
King of Sparta from 480 to 458 BC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pleistarchus (Ancient Greek: Πλείσταρχος Pleistarchos; died c. 458 BC) was the Agiad King of Sparta from 480 to 458 BC.[2]
| Pleistarchus | |
|---|---|
| King of Sparta | |
| Reign | 480–459 BC |
| Predecessor | Leonidas I |
| Successor | Pleistoanax |
| Died | c. 458 BC |
| Father | Leonidas I[1] |
| Mother | Gorgo |
Biography
Pleistarchus was born as a prince, likely the only son of King Leonidas I and Queen Gorgo. His grandparents were Kings Anaxandridas II and Cleomenes I.[3] He was born from an avunculate marriage – his parents were uncle and niece.[4] His uncle Cleombrotus was his tutor.[5]
Pleistarchus' father King Leonidas perished in 480 BC at the Battle of Thermopylae. For the early part of Pleistarchus's reign, his uncle Cleombrotus acted as regent; after Cleombrotus's death in 479 BC, Pleistarchus's cousin Pausanias was regent.[6]
It is unknown whether Pleistarchus was married. He died without an heir, and was succeeded by Pleistoanax, son of Pausanias.[7]
He had no known surviving relatives after his death, marking the end of his bloodline.