Aratus of Sicyon Aratus ( ; 271 – 213 BC ) was a statesman of the ancient Greek city - state of Sicyon and a leader of the Achaean League . He deposed the Sicyonian tyrant Nicocles in 251 BC . Aratus was an advocate of Greek unity and brought Sicyon into the Achaean League , which he led to its maximum extent . He was elected " strategos " numerous times and led the Achaeans against Macedonia , the Aetolians and the Spartans . After the Spartans defeated and nearly destroyed the cities of the Achaean League , he requested Antigonus Doson of Macedonia to help fight against the Aetolians and Spartans . After Antigonus died in 222 BC , Aratus did not get along with Philip V of Macedon , who wanted to make the Achaean League subject to Macedonia . Polybius and Plutarch record that Philip had Aratus poisoned . Early life . Aratus was born in 271 BC in Sicyon . His father , Clinias , was governing this city as magistrate . Clinias was pacifying the country after ending a long succession of tyrants . In 264 BC , Abantidas led a new revolt . Clinias was slain . Abantidas sought to kill the 7 years old Aratus . Aratus escaped after wandering into the home of Soso , Abantidas ' sister , who had also been married to Prophantus ( Clinias ' brother ) . She was so emotionally moved by the child ' s circumstance that she hid him until nightfall , and then sent him off to Argos . In Argos , Aratus was educated with liberal notions by other exiles , many of whom had been friends of his family . Aratus grew to hate tyranny . Aratus also attended the Argos ' palaestra regularly , developing an athletic body , noted in statues . He even won the pentathlon once . Soon , Aratus became a political leader in exile . He was admired because of both his aristocratic birth and his enthusiasm . Liberating Sicyon . At this time , Nicocles was the latest tyrant of Sicyon . His reign had begun four months previously , and was marked by the brutal suppression of all opposition . He feared Aratus so he commissioned spies to follow him in Argos . Aratus considered his future , and nothing in Macedonia , with King Antigonus II , nor in Egypt , with King Ptolemy II , looked promising . Consequently , Aratus decided to liberate Sicyon with the help of the other exiles . The revolt had to be swift , avoiding any protracted conflict , which they could not afford . In 251 BC , Aratus and his men slipped into Sicyon quietly at night , climbing the steep wall on the rocky side with ladders . Right before the dawn , Aratus captured the guards , and he sent orders to spread the news of the revolt to the local people so they might join . At dawn , all Sicyon surrounded the palace and , after a herald harangued them , the people thronged into the palace which was set afire . The flames could be seen from Corinth , 12 km away . Nicocles escaped through an underground passageway . Aratus divided the spoils from the palace between his soldiers and the people . Only one citizen was killed in his revolt . Pacifying Sicyon . Aratus had brought most of the exiles back , but after fifty years of tyranny , most exiles had become destitute . They claimed their former properties which had been given away . Fearing a civil war , Aratus decided that Sicyon would join the Achaean League . Sicyon lost its Dorian status because of this . Once inside the league , Aratus served in the cavalry . His commanders were surprised because he responded as dutifully as the lowest soldier . Aratus resorted to Ptolemy , King of Egypt , to help Sicyon . Ptolemy was a personal friend because Aratus often sent him Greek paintings , made by famous artists from Sicyon , which was an important center of art . Ptolemy had already sent 25 talent s , but this wasn ' t enough . Aratus decided to visit him personally . After a hazardous trip , during which he was almost captured by the Macedonians , Aratus arrived in Egypt . Ptolemy presented Sicyon with 150 talents . This calmed Sicyon definitively and the exiles erected a brass statue on Aratus ' behalf . The Macedonian King Antigonus began a calumny campaign against Aratus , to destroy the friendship between Ptolemy and Aratus . Ptolemy sent diplomats to Sicyon to clear the issue . Soon , it was clear that Aratus lived only for Sicyon ' s prosperity , which was what determined who could be considered one of his friends . The Achaean Strategos . In 245 BC , Aratus was appointed Strategos of the Achaean League . At the time , the Achaean League ' s worst rivals were Macedonia , who had garrison s throughout the Peloponnesus , and the Aetolian League , which had formed a military alliance with Macedonia . His first military action was to aid the Boeotian army . Leading 10 , 000 soldiers , Aratus attacked both Locris and Calydon . Capturing Corinth . Corinth had been garrisoned years before by Philip II of Macedonia . Aratus discovered a way to liberate the city , with the help of four Syrian brothers . One of them , Erginus , had stolen the Corinthian royal treasury and he decided to store his fortune at Sicyon . There , he revealed to Aratus that his brother Diocles , who was a soldier in the Macedonian garrison , had discovered a part of the walls which was only 4 . 5 meter high . It was accessible through some rocks , by a hidden path . Aratus guaranteed a 60 talent reward to all four brothers , pawning his own wife ' s silver jewelry to cover the cost . Again as Strategos in 243 BC , Aratus led 400 men to Corinth , leading the finest 100 men personally right into the garrison , through the secret passage . The Macedonians were overwhelmed by the assaulters . The next morning , Corinth ' s garrison surrendered and the entire Achaean army arrived . Aratus gathered all the Corinthians at the theater . Aratus was wearing his armour and leaned on his spear , which he held in his right hand . Without his uttering a word , the multitude acclaimed him . Aratus spoke on behalf of the Achaean League , asking the Corinthians to join them . Then he returned the city ' s keys , which had been taken by the Macedonians . The Achaeans garrisoned Corinth with 400 men . Expanding the League . Consequently , Megara , Troezen , and Epidaurus revolted against Macedonia and joined the Achaean League . Also , the Achaean soldiers followed Aratus anywhere , fighting the Macedonian King . Aratus invaded Attica and occupied Salamis . Aratus convinced his friend King Ptolemy to join the Achaean League ; upon entry its king received special powers . A recognized leader . Soon , the Achaeans recognized that Aratus ' lone interest was boosting the league ' s greatness . Thus , although it was prohibited by the law , Aratus was appointed Strategos in successive years , from 241 BC until 235 BC . Aratus repeated the maxim that , although a single city may not be strong enough , together inside the Achaean League , all cities could survive as a whole . Against the Peloponnesian tyrants . Additionally , Aratus campaigned against any tyrannical Peloponnesian leader . Argos . Among such campaigns , Aratus ' most difficult was at Argos . This city had fallen under a succession of tyrants , and — sentimentally — Aratus desired to liberate the place where he had grown up . With the Achaeans , Aratus led a series of campaigns but the Argives never gave in , since they were already accustomed to live under tyranny . In one battle , a spear cut Aratus ' thigh . At Cleonae , Aratus had the opportunity to win over Argos through Aristippus , but Macedonian soldiers helped Aristomachos to subject Argos again . Lydiadas . Lydiadas had been Megalopolis ' tyrant but he relented , restricting his power and joining the Achaean League . In return , Lydiadas was appointed Strategos . Alternately in successive years , both Aratus and Lydiadas were Strategoi , from 234 BC until 230 BC . Soon Lydiadas wanted to outmatch Aratus inside the league . As a declared personal enemy , Lydiadas began ranting constantly against him . However , the Achaean council was suspicious of Lydiadas ' tyrannical past , so he lost much of his political support . Allying with Aetolia . Despite recent severe confrontations , after Antigonus II died , in 239 BC , Aetolia , whose leader was Pantaleon , agreed to help the Achaeans against Macedonia . Although this was temporary , it meant that the powerful Achaean League achieved its widest territorial reach , about 229 BC , almost exclusively due to Aratus ' policies . Aratus attempted to liberate Athens . In the Thriasian Plain , his leg was severely broken , but he stayed on using a litter . Eventually , he captured Athens ' Academy and pardoned the local people . Later , Aratus convinced Diogenes , the local Macedonian commander , to sell Piraeus , Munychia , Salamis , and Sunium , which he had until then held for Macedonia , to the Athenians , for 150 talents ( 20 of which were paid by Aratus ) . On hearing news of this , Aegina , Hermione , and most Arcadian cities joined the Achaean League . Also , by Aratus ' insistence , Aristomachos brought Argos into the league and he was appointed Strategos . Phliasia also joined at this time . The Worst years . Against Sparta . When Cleomenes III became king of Sparta , he ravaged the Peloponnesian cities . The Achaean League confronted this menace , with Aratus as Strategos for twelfth time , in 227 BC . Aratus captured Mantineia , by surprise , but Cleomenes captured Megalopolis and garrisoned it . Furthermore , Cleomenes overthrew all Spartan political institutions so that he could raid with fewer restrictions . Consequently , Aratus began corresponding secretly with Antigonus . Soon the Macedonians were called " Confederate " , garrisoning some Peloponnesian cities again and aiding other cities with troops . For instance , Corinth was reinforced by Macedonian troops although its garrison was still Achaean . Mantineia fell and , then , Cleomenes demanded being appointed Strategos . The Achaean council invited him to Argos for talks but Cleomenes brought his entire army to Lerna , which was a distance of 4 km from Argos . This alarmed Aratus and he suggested to Cleomenes that , as " good friends " , just 300 Spartans may enter Argos . Cleomenes felt offended by the offer and , in the Achaean Council , both argued so bitterly that Cleomenes formally declared war on the league . Sparta captured most Achaean cities and Aratus witnessed his league crumble . Aratus was commanded to police the league . Thus , he executed people , both in Sicyon and in Corinth . The Corinthians attempted to abduct Aratus but they failed . Subsequently , Corinth surrendered voluntarily to Sparta . The city was garrisoned and further fortified . Both Aetolia and Athens denied further assistance to the League . Aratus , who was still being appointed Strategos yearly , became a weak Greek political figure , with neither power nor hope . Nonetheless , Cleomenes showed many courtesies towards Aratus , desiring to ingratiate himself with the league . Aratus ' Corinthian estate wasn ' t touched , while Cleomenes offered him a 12 talent pension . Aratus declined to accept these gifts , excusing himself : Being angered by this response , Cleomenes launched a massive invasion of Sicyon territory . Against Aetolia . He was utterly defeated by the Aetolians at Caphyae in 220 BC . Two thousand Achaean soldiers fled the field after , erroneously , Aratus had ordered an attack on the Aetolians , who were better positioned , over a hilly terrain . The Achaean Council crititicized Aratus so badly that he lost confidence . As a result , the Aetolians were able to leave the Peloponnesus without opposition , although Aratus could have defeated them easily . Friend of Macedonia . After three months of siege on Sicyon , in 224 BC Aratus deemed that Achaea should surrender Sicyon to Macedonia definitively , because this city was their condition for a complete alliance . In Aegium , the Achaean council approved this . Then , some angered Corinthians plundered all Aratus ' possessions and gave his residence to Cleomenes . Aratus met Antigonus III at Pegae . The Macedonian King had brought 20 , 000 soldiers plus 1 , 300 cavalrymen . They swore reciprocal fidelity , although Aratus , understandably , was scared , after years of war , and especially since his own career had begun hating the previous Macedonian Kings . However , soon he discovered that Antigonus admired him . Immediately , the renewed Achaean League smashed the Spartan threat . Argos , Corinth , Mantineia , and all other cities were retaken . Cleomenes was defeated decisively at Sellasia , in 222 BC , after which he fled to Egypt . Loyalty to Macedonia . Henceforth , until his death , Aratus subjugated his policies to the Macedonian monarchy . He demonstrated that , as Antigonus ' chief advisor , he was as capable as before ( as a democratic functionary ) . Indeed , Aratus became Antigonus ' favorite . Among other things , Mantineia was renamed " Antigonea " , by Aratus . Some time before the alliance , Aratus had made a sacrifice where two conjoined gallbladder s were found . The interpretation was that " two bitter enemies would join amicably . " This was remembered when , watching an entertainment at Corinth , both Aratus and Antigonus ended protected from a very cold weather , under the same cloak . However , the Peloponnesians criticized Aratus harshly , for he allowed the Macedonians to torture , execute , pillage , and so forth indiscriminately . For instance , Aratus witnessed many statues erected which represented the former tyrants , while those which represented the leaders who had liberated Corinth were torn down . Among these , only Aratus ' statue was left . Teaching the new king . Antigonus returned to Macedonia where he soon died fighting against Illyria . His nephew Philip moved to Peloponnesus , to live with Aratus and become acquainted with the local people . In 221 BC , Philip V assumed the throne and continued his uncle ' s favor towards Aratus . In 218 BC , Phillip ' s royal advisors tricked him into supporting Epiratos , who was Aratus ' rival . Epiratos was elected Strategos . However , the Macedonian King discovered the calumnious maneuver and punished the deceitful advisors . The King returned his support to Aratus , so Aratus was Strategos again , in 217 BC . No longer under the threat of Macedonian invasion , the Achaean League dissipated . Aetolia took advantage of this situation to pillage the Peloponnesus again , this time with some Spartan assistance . Aratus convinced Philip personally to harass Aetolia with his army by surprise , in 217 BC . Aetolia was forced to sign a peace . With his experience , Aratus was the person who taught the young King the most about both royal policies and behavior . For this reason , Aratus was so hated by the other advisors that they insulted Aratus bitterly on any occasion . Their leaders were Apelles and Leontius . Eventually , they were executed by the King . His death . However , forgetting all dignity and courtesy , Philip V became an intemperate monarch . For instance , being cordially lodged at Aratus ' home , he had a lengthy secret affair with Aratus ' daughter - in - law . Accordingly , by secret meetings , Philip V provoked a civil war capriciously in Messene , pitting magistrates against demagogue s . Aratus could do nothing to reconcile the parties , and 200 magistrates were slain . Aratus reproached the King quite bitterly over this event . To settle things down , the King invited Aratus , to a religious sacrifice at Mt . Ithome . There , Aratus said : Soon , Aratus , who continued as the Achaean Strategos year after year , didn ' t want to talk with the King . Then , he refused to join the Epirian expedition . After being defeated by the Romans , Philip V returned to the Peloponnesus . The King complicated the Messene ' s politics again and then the ravaged their country , without a reason . Once more , Aratus reacted openly against him . Furthermore , he was then informed about his daughter - in - law ' s affair , although Aratus didn ' t tell anything to his son . Philip V had become completely tyrannical , and he decided to end this bitter confrontation by killing Aratus . The King planned to do this discreetly , during his absence . So the Macedonian general Taurion was assigned to this task After getting acquainted with him , Taurion administered a slow effect poison to Aratus . Aratus began suffering progressive heats and coughs while his body decayed slowly but steadily . Aratus understood the situation but he knew that nothing could be done politically . Thus , he kept silence . Only once , he commented to a friend : Aratus died at Aegium , in 213 BC . Although the local people were ready to bury him with great pomp , Sicyon claimed the corpse . Since it was prohibited to bury him inside the city , the citizens consulted Delphi ' s oracle . They were so happy by the response that the burial became a festival . Aratus ' corpse was buried at the most conspicuous spot , which was then named Arateium .