Archidamus II

Archidamus II was King of Sparta during the mid-5th century BCE and a leading figure in the early years of the Peloponnesian War. He urged restraint before declaring war on Athens, arguing that Sparta was not yet prepared for a long conflict, as recorded by Thucydides. He nonetheless led the annual Spartan invasions of Attica that ravaged the Athenian countryside, a strategy that proved frustrating given Pericles' refusal to engage in pitched battle.

• Nationality: spartan
• Roles: ruler, general