2. A Spartan of the royal house of the Eurypontids. On the death of Cleomenes III. in B. C. 220, his claim to the throne was disregarded, and the election fell on one Lycurgus, who was not a Heracleid. Cheilon was so indignant at this, that he devised a revolution, holding out to the people the hope of a division of landed property--a plan which Agis IV. and Cleomenes III. had successively failed to realize. Being joined by about 200 adherents, he surprised the ephori at supper, and murdered them. Lycurgus, however, whose house he next attacked, effected his escape, and Cheilon, having in vain endeavoured to rouse the people in his cause, was compelled to take refuge in Achaia. (Plb. 4.35, 81.)