Aratus (; ; 271–213 BC) was a
statesman of the
ancient Greek city-state of
Sicyon and a leader of the
Achaean League. He deposed the Sicyonian tyrant
Nicocles in 251 BC. Aratus was an advocate of Greek unity and brought Sicyon into the
Achaean League, which he led to its maximum extent. He was elected
strategos numerous times and led the Achaeans against
Macedonia, the
Aetolians and the
Spartans. After the Spartans defeated and nearly destroyed the cities of the Achaean League, he requested
Antigonus Doson of Macedonia to help fight against the Aetolians and Spartans. After Antigonus died in 222 BC, Aratus did not get along with
Philip V of Macedon, who wanted to make the Achaean League subject to Macedonia. Polybius and Plutarch record that Philip had Aratus poisoned.