Charilaus
Encyclopedia
Charilaus, also given as Charillus, 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.
Charilaus is perhaps best known as the ward, pupil, and nephew of the Spartan reformer Lycurgus. 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.
Charilaus was succeeded by his son Nicander, the father of Theopompus.
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
in the early-mid 8th century BC. He is generally shown as the successor of his grandfather Polydectes, though Pausanias
Pausanias (geographer)
Pausanias was a Greek traveler and geographer of the 2nd century AD, who lived in the times of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. He is famous for his Description of Greece , a lengthy work that describes ancient Greece from firsthand observations, and is a crucial link between classical...
implies that Charilaus' father Eunomus preceded Charilaus.
Charilaus is perhaps best known as the ward, pupil, and nephew of the Spartan reformer Lycurgus. During his reign, the Spartans are purported to have invaded Argolis
Argolis
Argolis is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula.-Geography:...
. The long-standing hostility with Tegea
Tegea
Tegea was a settlement in ancient Greece, and it is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was the village Stadio....
is also believed to date from Charilaus' reign.
Charilaus was succeeded by his son Nicander, the father of Theopompus.