Charilaus

Charilaus, also given as Charillus (Greek: Χαρίλαος), was a king of Sparta in the early-mid 8th century BC. He is generally shown as the successor of his grandfather Polydectes, though Pausanias implies that Charilaus' father Eunomus preceded Charilaus.^[1]

Charilaus is perhaps best known as the ward, pupil, and nephew of the Spartan reformer Lycurgus.^[2] During his reign, the Spartans are purported to have invaded Argolis. The long-standing hostility with Tegea is also believed to date from Charilaus' reign.^[3]

Charilaus was succeeded by his son Nicander, the father of Theopompus.

Notes

1. Pausanias, tr. W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Ormerod (1918) Description of Greece. Robert Hale Ltd., London, Book 3, VII, 2.
2. Plutarch, Lives: Lycurgus.
3. Pausanias, tr. W.H.S. Jones and H.A. Ormerod (1918) Description of Greece. Robert Hale Ltd., London, Book 3, VII, 3.

References

• Pausanias, Description of Greece
• Plutarch, Lives: Lycurgus

External links

• Plutarch on Lycurgus