Learchus (regicide) and Critola, feared for his life, and wouldn’t allow Polyarchus to travel alone, finally journeying with him. During the reign of Battus III, Battus realized the instability of his kingdom and brought in a lawgiver named Demonax to reform the government. Demonax's reforms were disregarded by the successor to Battus, Arcesilaus III, who instigated yet another period of civil strife. On the deaths of Amasis II and Arcesilaus III, both states went under the thumb of Persian rule. Learchus (regicide) Learchus () was an adviser in the government of the Kingdom of Cyrenaica during the reign of king Arcesilaus II.
Learchus (regicide) with his queen, Eryxo. Arcesilaus appointed Learchus as his advisor. Herodotus states that Learchus was his brother, but Plutarch contradicts him in saying that Learchus was an ill-mannered and vicious friend. A further contradiction is presented in that Herodotus speaks of the activities of Learchus as the activities of the "brothers of Arcesilaus" and does not mention Learchus by name until he is identified as the regicide of Arcesilaus. Arcesilaus followed the counsels of Learchus and became increasingly tyrannical. It is in this manner that Arcesilaus gained the epithet "the Oppressor." During this time, Learchus was secretly plotting to overthrow