Caius Iulius Eurycles
Encyclopedia
Gaius Julius Eurycles or Eurycles of Sparta (b. Sparta
, fl.
1st century BCE), was "hegemon of the Lacedaemonians" Λακεδαιμονίων ἡγέμων), a benefactor of Greek
cities, and founder of the family of the Euryclids
.
. He was rewarded with Roman citizenship and the title of Λακεδαιμονίων ἡγέμων by emperor Augustus
. In the late 1st century BCE, Eurycles behaved strangely and caused trouble in many Greek cities, which led to his banishing
by Augustus. In the early years of Tiberius
' reign, Eurycles was fully rehabilitated in Sparta.
Gaius Julius Laco was his son.
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
, fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1st century BCE), was "hegemon of the Lacedaemonians" Λακεδαιμονίων ἡγέμων), a benefactor of Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
cities, and founder of the family of the Euryclids
Euryclids
The Euryclids were a prominent Spartan family holding important offices starting in the 1st-century BCE.- History :The founder of the family was Caius Iulius Eurycles, the son of Lachares. Eurycles was a Spartan commander who obtained Roman citizenship and office, with the title of "Λακεδαιμονίων...
.
Life
Eurycles was the son of Lachares. His father was executed on charges of piracy by Marcus Antonius. Eurycles joined forces with Octavian even before the battle of ActiumBattle of Actium
The Battle of Actium was the decisive confrontation of the Final War of the Roman Republic. It was fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. The battle took place on 2 September 31 BC, on the Ionian Sea near the city of Actium, at the Roman...
. He was rewarded with Roman citizenship and the title of Λακεδαιμονίων ἡγέμων by emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
. In the late 1st century BCE, Eurycles behaved strangely and caused trouble in many Greek cities, which led to his banishing
Banishing
In Ceremonial magic, banishing refers to one or more rituals intended to remove non-physical influences ranging from spirits to negative influences...
by Augustus. In the early years of Tiberius
Tiberius
Tiberius , was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. Tiberius was by birth a Claudian, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His mother divorced Nero and married Augustus in 39 BC, making him a step-son of Octavian...
' reign, Eurycles was fully rehabilitated in Sparta.
Gaius Julius Laco was his son.
Sources
- Zoumbaki, Sophia B.. The Composition of the Peloponnesian Elites in the Roman period and the Evolution of their Resistance and Approach to the Roman Rulers. (http://www.tekmeria.org/index.php/tekmiria/article/view/214/332)
- Grier, Elizabeth. Certain Rich Men of the 2nd century after Christ. Classical Association of the Atlantic States, 1930 (http://www.jstor.org/pss/4389419)