ARCESILAUS (son of Archilycus in Greek mythology)

In the colony of Cyrene, Arcesilaus ruled for sixteen years, though his reign was marked by significant disputes regarding royal rights.^2,3 He quarreled with his brothers, including Learchus, who left him to found the city of Barce in Libya.^4,5 When the Libyans sheltered his brothers after they persuaded them to revolt, Arcesilaus commanded an army against them.^4,6 He chased his enemies until he reached the location of Leucon, where the Libyans attacked his forces.⁷ His mother, who had fled to Salamis in Cyprus, managed his affairs and sat in council at Cyrene while he was away.^8,9

He committed numerous wrongs against the people of Barce and captured Cyrenaeans to be executed in Cyprus.^10,11 To secure support, he collected men by promising them a new division of land, gathering troops on Samos.¹² He traveled to Delphi to consult the oracle about his return, receiving a specific prophetic warning from a priestess.^12,13 In a desperate move, he handed over the city of Cyrene to the Persian king Cambyses and agreed to pay tribute.¹⁴

Residing in the region of Hyria and rocky Aulis, he held territory including Schoenus and the highlands of Eteonus.¹⁵ He traveled from Aulis to Troy, where he became a friend and comrade of Menestheus.^16,17 During the battle, Hector killed Arcesilaus, fulfilling his destiny whether intended or not.^17,18 He never returned to his native land after going to Troy, and Leitus carried his bones back from the war.^16,19

In another tradition, Arcesilaus was strangled by his brother Learchus after taking a drug.⁵ The Persians later demanded the surrender of those responsible for killing him.²⁰ His kingship in Cyrene passed to his lame son, Battus.²¹ The Arcadians claimed he resided in Lycosura, and his tomb was located beside the river, marking the end of his varied life.^22,19