Lasthenes

(Λασθένης).

1. An Olynthian, who, together with Euthycrates, is accused by Demosthenes of having betrayed his country to Philip of Macedon, by whom he had been bribed. It appears that he was appointed to command the cavalry belonging to Olynthus in B. C. 348, when Philip directed his arms against the city; but availed himself of the opportunity to betray into the hands of the king a body of 500 horse, which were made prisoners without resistance. After the fall of Olynthus, Philip naturally treated with neglect the traitors, of whom he had no longer any need; but it seems to have been erroneously inferred from an expression of Demosthenes, that they were positively ill treated, or even put to death, by that monarch. An anecdote related by Plutarch shows that Lasthenes was resident at the court of Philip at a subsequent period. (Dem. de Chers. p. 99, Philipp. iii. p. 128, De Cor. p. 241, De Fals. Legg. pp. 425, 426, 451; Diod. 16.53; Plut. Apophth. p. 178. See also Thirlwall's Greece vol. v. p. 315.)

2. A Cretan, who furnished Demetrius Nicator with the body of mercenaries with which he landed in Syria to wrest that kingdom from the hands of the usurper Alexander Balas. It appears that Lasthenes himself accompanied the young prince; and when Demetrius was established on the throne was appointed by him his chief minister, and the supreme direction of all affairs placed in his hands. Hence the blame of the arbitrary and tyrannical conduct by which Demetrius speedily alienated the affections of his subjects is imputed in great measure to the minister. It was Lasthenes also who, by persuading the king to disband the greater part of his troops, and retain only a body of Cretan mercenaries, lost him the attachment of the army, and thus unintentionally paved the way for his overthrow by Tryphon. (Joseph. 13.4. §§ 3, 9; 1 Macc. xi.; Diod. Exc. Vales. xxxiii. p. 593, and Vales. ad loc.)

3. A Cretan who took a prominent part in urging his countrymen to resist the attack of M. Antonius in B. C. 70. On this account, when the Cretans, after the defeat of Antonius, sent an embassy to Rome to excuse their past conduct, and sue for peace, one of the conditions imposed by the senate was the surrender of Lasthenes and Panares, as the authors of their offence. (Diod. Exe. Legat. xl. pp. 631, 632; Appian, App. Sic. 6; Dio Cass. Fragm. 177.) These terms were rejected by the Cretans; and in the war that followed against Q. Metellus (B. C. 68) Lasthenes was one of the principal leaders. Together with Panares, he assembled an army of 24,000 men, with which they maintained the contest against the Roman army for near three years: the excellence of the Cretans as archers, and their great personal activity, giving them many advantages in desultory warfare. At length, however, Lasthenes was defeated by Metellus near Cydonia, and fled for refuge to Cnossus, where, finding himself closely pressed by the Roman general, he is said to have set fire to his own house, and consumed it with all his valuables. After this he made his escape from the city, and took refuge in Lyttus, but was ultimately compelled to surrender, stipulating only that his life should be spared. Metellus intended to retain both Lasthenes and Panares as prisoners, to adorn his triumph, but was compelled to give them up by Pompey, under whose protection the Cretans had placed themselves. (Diod. l.c. ; Appian, App. Sic. 6. §§ 1, 2; Phlegon, apud Phot. p. 84a; D. C. 36.2; Vell. Pat 2.34.) [E.H.B]

(Λασθένης). An Olynthian who, with Euthycrates, betrayed his country to Philip of Macedon for a bribe in B.C. 347 (Demos. Philip. iii. p. 126; Diod.xvi. 53). See Olynthus.