# Cleomenes — The Federalist Papers character guide

> Cleomenes in The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0011-ix-the-union-as-a-safeguard-against-domestic-faction-and-insurrection

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Alexander Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/alexander_hamilton)

_psychological_

Hamilton cites Cleomenes as a cautionary example of a demagogue who manipulated the people to destroy a balanced government.

### [Philip of Macedon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/philip_of_macedon)

_rivalry_

Cleomenes of Sparta and Philip of Macedon are contrasted as different types of threats to republican liberty.

### [The Achaeans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/the_achaeans)

_rivalry_

Cleomenes waged war against the Achaean League, leading to Spartan intervention and eventual Macedonian domination.

### [The Judges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/the_judges)

_psychological_

Hamilton references Cleomenes' actions to illustrate how popular leaders can subvert judicial authority.

### [Publius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/publius)

_psychological_

Publius uses Cleomenes as a negative exemplar of how unchecked popular leaders can destroy republican institutions.

## In the story

### [XVIII: The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xviii-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union)

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

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters/cleomenes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/characters