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Arcesilaus II of Cyrene

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Arcesilaus II or Arcesilaus II of Cyrene (Greek: ο Αρκεσίλαος Χαλεπός, flourished 6th century BC) also known as Arcesilaus II The Oppressor, The Tough, The Severe or The Harsh. Arcesilaus was the fourth Greek Cyrenaean King and was a member of The Battiads dynasty. It was from his reign that the dynasty began to fall into decline.

Arcesilaus II was the son of the third Greek Cyrenaean King Battus II, while his mother is unknown. His paternal aunt was the Greek Cyrenaean Princess Critola and his paternal grandfather was the second Greek Cyrenaean King Arcesilaus I.

Arcesilaus’ wife was his paternal cousin, who was Critola’s youngest child and daughter who was called Eryxo. Arcesilaus and Eryxo had married before he became succussed his father. His father died in 560 BC and succussed his father. Arcesilaus and Eryxo, had a child who was the future Cyrenaean King Battus III. Plutarch states Arcesilaus had another paternal cousin called Polyarchus, who was Eryxo’s eldest brother and also had other paternal male cousins, however the historian doesn’t give their names.

Plutarch states that his character was different to his father’s and received the surname ‘The Oppressor‘, because his character and appearance was of a rugged deposition. During his father’s reign Arcesilaus, had built fortifications around his house and became known throughout Cyrenaica for doing this.

When Arcesilaus became King he had a man called Learchus or Laarchus, who became his counsel. Herodotus states that Learchus was his brother, however Plutarch states that Learchus was an ill mannered and vicious friend. Arcesilaus followed the counsels of Learchus and became more of a tyrant then a king. Learchus was secretly plotting behind Arcesilaus to become Cyrenaica’s new king. Learchus had ordered the banishment and deaths of noble Cyrenaeans.

When Arcesilaus had found out about Learchus’ plotting, Arcesilaus had quarrelled with Learchus about the kingship and Learchus falsely blamed his plotting on him. Arcesilaus had ordered Learchus and his supporters to be exiled from Cyrenaica.

Learchus and his supporters left Cyrene and created their own settlement called Barca, (sometimes known as Meri, Libya). During the construction of Barca, Learchus was able to persuade local Libyans to withdraw their allegiance from Cyrene and encourage them to come with him and to declare war on Arcesilaus.

Learchus and the local Libyans were alarmed of the Cyrenaean troops approaching them and they hastily withdrew. Arcesilaus and the Cyrenaean troops chase Learchus and his supporters as far as Leucon, when Learchus and his supporters decided to attack the king and his army. Arcesilaus and the Cyrenaean troops were defeated and he lost up to 7,000 hoplites.

Not so long after the defeat, near Leucon Arcesilaus became very ill after drinking a poisonous drink containing a deadly fish called a sea-hare, which according to Plutarch this fish when consumed is fatal to people. Learchus had strangled and killed Arcesilaus in 550 BC. Learchus returned to Cyrene and after his attempt to become the new king, Eryxo and Polyarchus successfully plotted to have Learchus murdered and after Battus III was proclaimed king by Polyarchus. Arcesilaus’ body was returned to Cyrene and was buried near his paternal ancestors.

A portrait of Arcesilaus II on a vase can be seen at [1]

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