# Archidamus — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Archidamus in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** King Archidamus

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i

## Snapshot

The elder Spartan king whose measured voice at the congress warns that this war will be inherited by children not yet born.

## Who they are

Archidamus speaks against haste when Sparta's allies clamor for war, arguing that Athens' walls, navy, and wealth make a quick victory impossible. His caution is not cowardice but a soldier's respect for an enemy he knows well, and he predicts a long, attritional struggle. When war comes anyway, he leads the first invasions of Attica, and his name becomes attached to the opening phase of the conflict.

## Relationships

### [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/alcibiades)

_rivalry_

Alcibiades, the Athenian turncoat, and Archidamus, the Spartan king, were adversaries in the Peloponnesian War, with Alcibiades advising Sparta against his own city.

### [Pausanias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/pausanias)

_family_

Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias being the son of Archidamus's predecessor, though their relationship was marked by political tension.

### [Theramenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/theramenes)

_professional_

Archidamus and Theramenes were Spartan leaders who worked together in diplomatic and military matters, though Theramenes was more moderate.

### [Themistocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/themistocles)

_rivalry_

Archidamus, as Spartan king, opposed Themistocles, the Athenian architect of naval power, during the early stages of the Peloponnesian conflict.

### [Agis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/agis)

_family_

Agis was the son and successor of Archidamus as Spartan king, continuing his father's cautious military policies.

### [Sitalces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/sitalces)

_professional_

Archidamus negotiated with Sitalces, the Thracian king, to secure an alliance against Athens, though Sitalces proved unreliable.

### [Themistocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/themistocles)

_rivalry_

Archidamus, as Spartan king, opposed Themistocles, the Athenian architect of naval power, during the early stages of the Peloponnesian conflict.

### [Pausanias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/pausanias)

_family_

Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias being the son of Archidamus's predecessor, though their relationship was marked by political tension.

### [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/alcibiades)

_rivalry_

Alcibiades, the Athenian turncoat, and Archidamus, the Spartan king, were adversaries in the Peloponnesian War, with Alcibiades advising Sparta against his own city.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-i)

King of Sparta, speaks in the Spartan assembly advising caution and delay before declaring war on Athens.

### [Congress of the Peloponnesian Confederacy at Lacedaemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/iii)

King of Sparta who counsels moderation and thorough preparation before declaring war on Athens.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-ii)

Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/vi)

King of Sparta, leader of the Peloponnesian expedition, delivers a speech to the assembled forces and sends Melesippus to Athens.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/vii)

Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica at the start of the second year of the war.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/ix)

King of Lacedaemon, leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica in the summer of the revolt.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as the father of Agis.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/archidamus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters