Hi there, you're listening to the Hellenistic Age podcast, Episode 65, Antigodan Macedon, the last March of the Spartans.

The execution of King August 4th by the Spartan effort in 241 BC was intended to put an end to any radical ideas of land redistribution and restoration of the ancestral constitution, as envisioned by the great reformer like Hergis.

For a brief period, it worked.

The diarchy was relegated to the status of a figurehead, and with August's rival Leonidas

too busy enjoying the luxuries of rule to care, true power lay in the hands of the

efforts.

But removing the head did not wipe out the

movement entirely, which had dug deeper roots than either the Effers or Leonidas could have possibly

thought, why would they? For the man who would take up the cause of August would be none other than

Leonidas' own son, Cleomenes III. He was about 18 years old in 21, and was married by his father to

Agiatis, August's widow. This was to prevent Agriotus, a powerful woman and heir to substantial

holdings from being courted by another rival from the Uri-Pontid house, not to mention that she

and August had a child, Yudiamides, who was to assume the throne.

Young Cleomenes was apparently smitten by her charm and intelligence and became a dutiful husband and father.

Despite having to flee into exile along with this family after August's coup,

Cleomones held no hard feelings towards the Ureepontid ruler. If anything, he considered the man a kindred spirit.

Stories of August's bravery and political outlook disseminated through Aghiades, and Cleomones increasingly found himself sympathetic towards the cause.

He never was one for court life, and was angered by the lazy way his father ruled and the impotacy of the kingship.

Discussions with philosophers and dalliances with his male companions only stoked the fire within the prince's heart,

who found great inspiration in August's message.

Though he shared a similar attitude for self-discipline and austerity as August, he was far more politically astute and

crafty. August's idealism had cost him his life, and ultimately failed to deliver on the reforms

...