Nabis vs Vetranio

Nabis seized power and implemented radical social reforms. He redistributed land, cancelled debts, freed helots, and granted citizenship to many non-Spartans. He also recruited mercenaries and built a navy, challenging the traditional Spartan social order.

Nabis fought a series of wars against the Achaean League under Philopoemen. He initially had success, capturing the city of Messene, but was eventually defeated. The wars drained Spartan resources and led to further Roman involvement.

Nabis was attacked by a Roman-led coalition under Titus Quinctius Flamininus, including the Achaean League and Pergamon. He was defeated and forced to surrender, losing control of Lacedaemon and his fleet. Sparta became a Roman ally.

Nabis was assassinated by Aetolian mercenaries who had been sent to aid him. The assassination was part of a broader Aetolian plot to destabilize the Peloponnese. His death marked the end of the last independent Spartan king.

After the death of Constans I, the Illyrian legions proclaimed the aged general Vetranio as emperor. Vetranio initially accepted the title to prevent the region from falling to the usurper Magnentius.

When Emperor Constantius II arrived in Illyria, Vetranio voluntarily abdicated before the assembled army. Constantius II accepted his resignation, allowed him to retire to private life in Bithynia, and spared his life.

After his abdication, Vetranio retired to a private estate in Bithynia provided by Constantius II. He lived there peacefully for several years, a rare example of a usurper who survived and was allowed to live in comfort.