Laespo'dias
（
*Laispodi/as), was one of three Athenian commanders, who, with a force of 30 ships, joined the Argives in ravaging the Lacedaemonian coast, B. C. 414; and thus, at the moment when Gylippus was sailing for Syracuse, gave the Spartan government justification for open hostilities.
He is named again, B. C. 411, as one of three ambassadors who were sent by the Four Hundred to treat with Sparta, but were, when their ship, the Paralus, was off Argos, seized and given in custody to the Argives by the sailors, who proceeded to join the fleet at Samos. (
Thuc. 6.105,
8.86.)
He had something the matter with the shin or calf of his leg, and arranged his dress to conceal it.
Τί, ὦ κακόδαιμον Λαισποδίας, εἶ τὴν φύσιν
; says Poseidon, when scolding the uncouth Triballus for letting his garment hang about his legs. (
Aristoph. Birds 1568.) And the Scholiast gives a variety of references (see also Plut.
Symp. 7.8), which show that his misfortune made him a standing joke with the comedians.
[
A.H.C]
