# Epaminondas — Essays character guide

> Epaminondas in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Epaminondas

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

Theban general and statesman, noted for his military genius and virtue.

## In the story

### [Spiritual Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/spiritual-laws)

Presented as a heroic figure whom the narrator loves and honors, but uses to illustrate the point that one should not wish to be another, but be content in one's own assigned form of being.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/epaminondas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters