Theopompus of Sparta

Theopompus (Ancient Greek: Θεόπομπος) was a Eurypontid king of Sparta.

The major event of his reign was the First Messenian War, which resulted in the defeat of the Messenians, for which, Pausanias reports, Tyrtaeus credits Theompompus:[1] Pausanias reports that Theopompus was succeeded by his grandson Zeuxidamas or great-grandson Anaxidamus, Theopompus' son Archidamus having predeceased him,[2] though there is some evidence[clarification needed] that his successor was Anaxandridas I, father of Zeuxidamus.

Plutarch, in his Parallel Lives, stated that it was in Theopompus' reign that the ephors were introduced in Sparta.

[3] Plutarch also recorded a tradition in Messenia that Theopompus had fallen in battle, being slain by Aristomenes.

Sparta denied the truth of this latter story, claiming that Theopompus had been only wounded.