18 Facts About Philopoemen

Philopoemen was called "the last of the Greeks" by an anonymous Roman.

Philopoemen was then adopted by an important citizen of Megalopolis, Cleander.

Philopoemen strove to emulate the 4th-century BC Theban general and statesman, Epaminondas.

Philopoemen believed that as a public servant, personal virtue was at all times a necessary condition.

Philopoemen first came to the attention of key Greek politicians when he helped defend Megalopolis against the Spartan king Cleomenes III in 223 BC.

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Philopoemen's actions helped give the citizens of Megalopolis enough time to evacuate the city.

Philopoemen commanded a cavalry force, which included soldiers from Megalopolis.

Philopoemen was appointed strategos of the Achaean League in 209 BC.

Philopoemen used his position to modernise and increase the size of the Achaean army and updated the soldiers' equipment and battle tactics.

Philopoemen was appointed strategos for the Achaean League between 201 and 199 BC.

Philopoemen had to change his tactics as the fighting on the island was more in the style of guerrilla warfare.

When Philopoemen re-entered Laconia for a second attempt, his forces were ambushed by Nabis, but nevertheless Philopoemen managed to gain a victory over the Spartan forces.

Now in full control of Sparta, Philopoemen forced Sparta to become a member state of the Achaean League.

Philopoemen wanted to restore only those Spartans who were willing to support the league.

In 188 BC, Philopoemen entered northern Laconia with his army and a group of Spartan exiles.

Philopoemen's army demolished the wall that the former tyrant of Sparta, Nabis, had built around Sparta.

Philopoemen then restored Spartan citizenship to the exiles and abolished Spartan law and its education system, introducing Achaean law and institutions in their place.

Philopoemen was then invited to drink poison to allow him to have what was then regarded as an honourable death.