(Πολύδωρος).

1. The tenth or eleventh king of Sparta in the Eurysthenid line, was the son of Alcamenes and the father of Eurycrates, who succeeded him. This king lived in the time of the first Messenian war, and assisted in bringing it to a conclusion, B. C. 724. He was murdered by Polemarchus, a Spartan of high family; but his name was precious among his people on account of his justice and kindness. They purchased his house of his widow; and the magistrates in future sealed all public documents with his image. Several constitutional changes were introduced by him and his colleague Theopompus; and Plutarch says that Polydorus increased the number of the Spartan lots. It is further stated that Crotona and the Epizephyrian Locri were founded in his reign. (Hdt. 7.204; Paus. 3.3. §§ 1-3, 3.11.10, 3.12.3, 4.7.7, 8.52.1; Plut. Lyc. 6, 8.)