Sphodrias () (d. 371 BC) was a Spartan general during the Spartan Hegemony over Greece. As governor of Thespiai in 378 BC, he made an unsuccessful attack against Athens without any order from Sparta. He was put on trial for this act, but unexpectedly acquitted, thanks to the support of the two Spartan kings, Cleombrotus I and Agesilaus II. This acquittal greatly upset Athens which rapidly concluded an alliance with Thebes against Sparta as a result. Sphodrias later died at the battle of Leuctra against Thebes in 371 BC. Life Sphodrias was a Spartan officer from the circle of the Agiad king Cleombrotus I (r. 380–371), who likely used his influence to appoint him harmost (military governor) of Thespiai in Boeotia, in central Greece. In a night of March 378, Sphodrias attempted to take control of Piraeus—the harbour of Athens—during a surprise night attack, while a Spartan delegation was precisely in Athens to conduct negotiations. Sparta at the time tried to prevent an alliance between Athens and its enemy Thebes, which was revengeful after Sparta had dismantled the Boeotian League at the end of the Corinthian War in 387 (hence the presence of a Spartan garrison in Thespiai, a former member of this league). Sphodrias' attack failed, but still scandalised the Athenians, who immediately arrested the three Spartan ambassadors. However, the Athenians soon released them after they were assured by Sparta that Sphodrias would be sued and executed for his uncalled action. Moreover, one of them was Etymokles, member of the Gerousia and friend of the other Spartan king Agesilaus II (r. 400–360), who yielded unprecedented influence over Spartan politics at the time. Agesilaus was also behind the embassy to win Athens against Thebes, which goal was put into jeopardy by Sphodrias' recklessness. Therefore, the Athenians confidently expected Agesilaus to use his influence to condemn Sphodrias, who had significantly harmed his interests. Sphodrias was thus recalled to Sparta by the ephors to be tried before the Gerousia, the Spartan senate, which also served as supreme court. Fearing the influence of Agesilaus in the Gerousia, he fled and was judged in absentia, therefore implicitly admitting his guilt. However, against all odds, Sphodrias was acquitted. It is the only recorded time in ancient Greek and Roman history that someone judged in absentia for a capital charge was still acquitted. Sphodrias could logically count on the votes of Cleombrotus and his friends, but