Aratus of Sicyon was a Greek politician and military commander who lived from 271 to 213 B.C.  He was forced to flee his native city of Sicyon at seven years of age when his father, a prominent politician, was murdered by a rival.  Raised in Argos, he distinguished himself as an athlete and a leader; and his determination to liberate Sicyon led him to train intensively in the arts of war and command.