Damoteles

(Δαμοτέλης).

1. A Spartan, through whose treachery, according to one account, Cleomenes was defeated by Antigonus at the battle of Sellasia, B. C. 222. (Phylarch. apud Plut. Cleom. 28; comp. Plb. 2.65, &c.) Damoteles is said in Plutarch to have had the office of commander of the Crypteia (see Dict. of Ant. s. v.), which would qualify him for the service of reconnoitring assigned to him by Cleomenes before the engagement.

2. An Aetolian, was one of the ambassadors whom his countrymen, by the advice of the Athenians, sent to Rome in B. C. 190 to negotiate with the senate for peace. He returned in the ensuing year without having accomplished his object. M. Fulvius, the consul, having crossed over from Italy against them, the Aetolians once more despatched Damoteles to Rome; but, having ascertained on his arrival at Leucas that Fulvius was on his way through Epeirus to besiege Ambracia, he thought the embassy hopeless, and returned to Aetolia. We hear of him again among those who came to Fulvius at Ambracia to sue for peace, which was granted by the consul and afterwards ratified by the senate. [Damis, No. 2.] (Plb. 21.3, 22.8, 9, 12, 13; Liv. 38.8.) [E.E]