Anaxandridas II


Anaxandridas II was an Agiad king of Sparta between 560 BC and 520 BC, father of Leonidas I and grandfather of Pleistarchus. He was succeeded by Cleomenes I.

Biography

At the time when Croesus sent his embassy to form an alliance with "the mightiest of the Greeks", the war with Tegea, which in the late reigns went against them, had now been decided in the Spartans' favour, under Anaxandridas and Ariston. They also had main carriage of the suppression of the tyrannies, and with it the establishment of Spartan hegemony.
With the reign of Anaxandridas and Ariston commences the period of certain dates, the chronology of their predecessors being doubtful and the accounts in many ways suspicious.

Family

Anaxandridas II was a son of Leon of Sparta.
Anaxandridas's first wife was deemed barren. However, due to his love for her, he refused to divorce her. But, the ephors did make Anaxandridas II take a second wife. By her Anaxandridas II had Cleomenes I, and after this, by his first wife he had three sons; Dorieus, famous Leonidas I, and Cleombrotus.
Anaxandridas II was succeeded by his son from his second marriage, Cleomenes I.