CLEON, the name of several noted men of antiquity. 1. Of an Athenian, who, though originally a tanner, became general of the armies of the state by his intrigues and eloquence. He took Theron in Thracæ, and was killed at Amphipolis in a battle with Brasidas the Spartan general, Olymp. 89th. 2. A general of Messenia, who disputed with Aristodemus for the sovereignty. 3. A statuary. 4. A poet who wrote a poem on the Argonauts. 5. An orator of Halicarnassus who composed an oration for Lylander, in which he intimated the propriety of making the kingdom of Sparta elective. 6. A Magnesian who wrote some commentaries, in which he speaks of portentous events, &c.