| Cleombrotus I | |
|---|---|
| King of Sparta | |
| Reign | 380–371 BC |
| Predecessor | Agesipolis I |
| Successor | Agesipolis II |
| Died | 6 July 371 BC Leuctra,Boeotia |
| Issue | Agesipolis II andCleomenes II |
| Greek | Κλεόμβροτος |
Cleombrotus I (Greek:ΚλεόμβροτοςKleombrotos; died 6 July 371 BC) was aSpartan king of theAgiad line, reigning from 380 BC until 371 BC. Little is known of Cleombrotus' early life. Son ofPausanias, he became king ofSparta after the death of his brotherAgesipolis I in 380 BC, and led the allied Spartan-Peloponnesian army against theThebans underEpaminondas in theBattle of Leuctra.[1] His death and the utter defeat of his army led to the end of Spartan dominance in ancientGreece. Cleombrotus was succeeded by his sonAgesipolis II.[2] His other son wasCleomenes II.
Many historians cite Cleombrotus as having pro-Theban tendencies, unlike his fellow king,Agesilaus II. He was blamed for the humiliating defeat at Leuctra by his contemporaries for being biased towards the enemy, though some modern historians do not believe that he was actually pro-Theban.[3] He was the first Spartan king to die in battle sinceLeonidas at theBattle of Thermopylae.
| Preceded by | Agiad King of Sparta 380–371 BC | Succeeded by |
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