Battle of Ladoceia and reforms Cleomenean War

traditional greek phalanx spears , large shields (aspis).

cleomenes, confident of strength of position, began plotting against ephors. first recruited stepfather, persuading him of need away ephors. cleomenes contended make ephors property common citizens , work toward achievement of spartan supremacy in greece. having won on stepfather, cleomenes started preparing revolution. employing men considered oppose him (probably in attempt them killed), captured heraea , asea. brought in food citizens of orchomenus—which achaeans besieging—before camping outside mantinea. campaign exhausted opponents, asked remain in arcadia rest. cleomenes advanced upon sparta mercenaries , sent loyal followers slay ephors. 4 of 5 ephors killed; sole survivor agylaeus, managed escape , sought sanctuary in temple.

with ephors vanquished, cleomenes initiated reforms. first, handed on land state; followed stepfather , friends, , rest of citizens. divided of spartan land, awarding equal lot each citizen. increased citizen population granting citizenship perioeci, constituted spartan middle class, did not @ time have spartan citizenship. expanding citizen population meant cleomenes build larger army; trained 4,000 hoplites , restored old spartan social , military discipline. strengthened army introducing macedonian sarissa (pike). cleomenes completed reforms placing brother, eucleidas, in charge, making him first agiad king on eurypontid throne.