to be a formidable rival; he quickly rose to such esteem in the league as to be deemed second only to Aratus, and notwithstanding the opposition of the latter, was elected strategos a second and third time, holding that important office alternately with Aratus. The most bitter enmity had by this time arisen between the two men. Each strove to undermine the other in the popular estimation. But though Lydiadas was unable to shake Aratus' long-established standing, he maintained his ground, not withstanding the insidious attacks of his rival, and the suspicion that naturally attached to one who had formerly borne the name of tyrant. In 227 BC, the conduct of Aratus, in avoiding a battle with Cleomenes III of Sparta at Pallantium, gave Lydiadas fresh cause to renew his attacks, but they were again unsuccessful, and he was unable to prevent the appointment of Aratus for the twelfth time to the office of strategos, in 226 BC. Instead, Lydiadas was elected hipparch and had to serve under the command of his rival. The two armies under Aratus and Cleomenes met a short distance from Megalopolis, and though Aratus would not consent to bring on a general engagement, Lydiadas, with the cavalry under his command, charged the right wing of the enemy and put them to the rout, but being led by his eagerness to pursue them too far, got entangled in some enclosures, where his troops suffered severely, and he himself fell, after a gallant resistance. His body was left on the field, but Cleomenes had the generosity to honour a fallen foe, and sent it back to Megalopolis, adorned with the insignia of royal dignity.<ref>Polybius II 44,51 ; Plutarch Aratus 30, 35, 37, Cleomenes 6 ; Pausanias VIII 27,12-15.</ref> References Bibliography "Lydiades (1)", William Smith (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.'' 2. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1867. Ancient Greek generals Ancient Megalopolitans 3rd-century BC Greek people Year of birth unknown Achaean League Ancient Greek tyrants 227 BC deaths