Clearchus of Sparta

Clearchus commanded the Greek mercenaries who marched into Persia for Cyrus the Younger, and was killed by treachery when the campaign failed. He was a Spartan of the old school, born around 450 BC, and had served as harmost — governor — of Byzantium during the Peloponnesian War, where his severity provoked the citizens into opening the gates to the Athenians. He was recalled and, refusing to obey, was condemned to death in absentia. He went to Cyrus, who was assembling a force in Asia Minor, and was given money to raise troops on the pretext of fighting Thracians. He raised about 13,000 Greeks and led them inland in 401 BC without telling them the objective. When they realised at the Euphrates that they were marching against the King of Persia, they refused. Clearchus's method was theatrical: he wept in front of them, said he could not compel them and would follow them wherever they went, and then let their own delegates negotiate a pay rise with Cyrus. Xenophon, who served under him, describes him as a man who could make soldiers obey but was harsh and gloomy, and who was formidable in danger and disliked in peace. At Cunaxa the Greek wing routed everything opposite it, and Cyrus was killed elsewhere on the field. The Persian satrap Tissaphernes invited the Greek generals to a conference under truce. Clearchus and four others were seized and beheaded. The army elected new commanders, Xenophon among them, and marched home. Ctesias reports that the Persian queen mother had him buried and that earth was thrown over the grave by a wind, which the Greeks took as a sign of the gods' regard.

• Lived: 450 BCE – 401 BCE
• Nationality: Spartan
• Roles: general