The city of Megalopolis was founded in 368 BC by the members of the Arkadian League as a stronghold against Sparta. Until 235 BC, its tyrant, Lydiades, had tried to maintain good relationships with Macedon. That year, on becoming aware of Aratus' expansionist plans in the Peloponnese; the death of Aristippus; and events in Sparta, Lydiades decided to give up his power by joining the Achaean League. This apparently unselfish deed had important consequences, as Orchomenus and Mantinea soon followed suit. In 236 BC, Lydiades was elected "strategos", the first of his three terms. The event also marked the beginning of a tradition of Megapolitan "strategoi" in the League, most notably Philopoemen.