# Datis — Histories character guide

> Datis in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Artaphrenes the son of Artaphrenes

**First appearance:** 0007-book-vi-erato

## Snapshot

Persian general who leads the punitive expedition against Athens and Eretria, carrying orders to restore Hippias and punish the Greeks.

## Who they are

Datis commands the Persian force sent by Darius to punish Athens and Eretria for their role in the Ionian Revolt, operating alongside Artaphrenes and the exiled tyrant Hippias. His campaign moves through the Aegean, subduing islands and extracting submissions before landing at Marathon, where his numerical superiority is undone by Athenian tactics. He matters because his expedition represents the first major Persian attempt to conquer mainland Greece, and his defeat at Marathon becomes the founding memory of Greek resistance.

## In the story

### [Book VII: Polymnia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vii-polymnia)

Datis is mentioned as a commander in the earlier expedition against Athens.

## Links

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