The Federalist Papers · Character

Cleomenes

Spartan king referenced in historical examples of confederacies and military leadership.

minor

First appearance: ix the union as a safeguard against domestic faction and insurrection

Cleomenes's tie to Alexander Hamilton is one of the pressures that moves The Federalist Papers—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

King of Sparta whose ambition led to conflict with the Achaean league.

In the storyXVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)Open this moment free

See Cleomenes in XVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)Book page

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With Alexander Hamilton (psychological): Hamilton cites Cleomenes as a cautionary example of a demagogue who manipulated the people to destroy a balanced government. With Philip of Macedon (rivalry): Cleomenes of Sparta and Philip of Macedon are contrasted as different types of threats to republican liberty. With The Achaeans (rivalry): Cleomenes waged war against the Achaean League, leading to Spartan intervention and eventual Macedonian domination.

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See Cleomenes in ix the union as a safeguard against domestic faction and insurrection

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Cleomenes sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry

Character groups

Ancient confederacy models
Protagonist
Constitutional and historical authorities

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Hamilton directly confronts the most emotionally charged accusatio…

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Relationships

Alexander Hamilton
psychological · negative
Hamilton cites Cleomenes as a cautionary example of a demagogue who manipulated the… How this plays out →
Philip of Macedon
rivalry · negative
The Achaeans
rivalry · negative
The Judges
psychological · negative
Publius
psychological · negative

Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton cites Cleomenes as a cautionary example of a demagogue who manipulated the people to destroy a balanced government.
Philip of Macedon
Cleomenes of Sparta and Philip of Macedon are contrasted as different types of threats to republican liberty.
The Achaeans
Cleomenes waged war against the Achaean League, leading to Spartan intervention and eventual Macedonian domination.
The Judges
Hamilton references Cleomenes' actions to illustrate how popular leaders can subvert judicial authority.
Publius
Publius uses Cleomenes as a negative exemplar of how unchecked popular leaders can destroy republican institutions.

Relationship notes

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See Cleomenes in ix the union as a safeguard against domestic faction and insurrection

In the story

Cleomenes appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Cleomenes unlock in the free preview.

See Cleomenes in ix the union as a safeguard against domestic faction and insurrection

See Cleomenes in XVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)