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Lacedaemonius () was an Classical Athens general of the Philaidae clan.Thucydides History of the Pelopponesian War I.45 He served Athens, notably in the naval Battle of Sybota against the Ancient Corinth in 433 BC.
Lacedaemonius came from Lacedaemon, another name for the city state of Sparta. His father so admired the Spartans that as a sign of goodwill he named his son after their city. Lacedaemonius was also identified as the Proxeny of the Spartans in Athens.
Accounts cited Lacedaemonius as one of the Athenian generals sent to aid Corfu in its conflict with Corinth after an alliance agreement concluded in 433. This is part of the series of events that led to the Peloponnesian War. According to Plutarch, Lacedaemonius sailed with ten ships and was sent forth against his will. Lacedaemonius, who according to Thucydides was sent with 2 other generals: Diotimus (son of Strombichus), and Proteas (son of Epicles),History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.45 was ordered not to engage with the Corinthians unless they attacked Corcyra. The Athenian fleet joined the Corcyraeans when the Corinthians finally invaded under Xenocleides.
A view, which had been advanced by Plutarch, held that giving Lacedaemonius command with a meager fleet for his campaign was an insult to the sons of Cimon due their sympathy for Sparta. Modern historians see Lacedaemonius appointment as a political move on the part of Pericles, who wanted to destroy political opposition by cementing his ties with the Cimonians. There are also those who propose that Lacedaemonius appointment, his mission, and the size of his fleet was part of a strategy of "minimal deterrence" against Corinth. (1994). 9788772893273, Museum Tusculanum Press. ISBN 9788772893273
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