Aratus of Sicyon (redirected from Aratos of Sicyon)

Aratus of Sicyon

(born 271—died 213 BC) Hellenistic Greek statesman, diplomat, and soldier. He democratized Sicyon (251) and, as leader of the Achaean League (in alternate years from 245), set up democracies in league cities and helped free Athens from Macedonia (229). Under him, the league opposed Sparta; with Macedonian help, it defeated Aetolia (217). Aratus nevertheless defied the anti-Roman policy of Philip V of Macedonia; his death, popularly linked to Philip, was more likely caused by tuberculosis.

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Aratus of Sicyon 

Born 271 B .C.; died 213 B .C. Ancient Greek statesman.

Aratus, by overthrowing the tyrant Nicocles, came to power in Sicyon in 251 and succeeded in including the city in the Achaean League. From 245 onward, he was the actual ruler of the league; he was strategus (general) more than 17 times. Under Aratus the league attained full independence from Macedonia. However, in 224, in order to combat a strengthening Sparta and a movement of the poor in the Peloponnesos, Aratus called upon the Macedonian king An-tigonus III Doson for aid, thus subjecting the league once again to Macedonian domination. Aratus wrote memoirs which have not come down to us but which were used by Polybius and Plutarch.

REFERENCE

Walbank, F. W. Aratos of Sicyon. Cambridge, 1933.