# Demaratos — Histories character guide

> Demaratos in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Demaratos the son of Ariston, Demaratos the Lacedaemonian

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

## Snapshot

A deposed Spartan king who fled to Xerxes' court, where he trades inside knowledge of Greek stubbornness for a place beside the Great King.

## Who they are

Demaratos carries the peculiar authority of a man who has lost his throne but not his expertise: he knows exactly how Spartans fight, how they think, and how little they fear numbers. His position at Xerxes' side is a study in divided loyalty, since every honest answer he gives about Greek resolve is also a warning against the campaign he is helping to plan. He matters because he gives the Persian invasion its clearest mirror of the enemy it refuses to understand.

## Relationships

### [Xerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/xerxes)

_professional_

Demaratos, a deposed Spartan king, serves as an advisor to Xerxes during the Persian invasion of Greece.

### [Leotychides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/leotychides)

_rivalry_

Demaratos and Leotychides are rival Spartan kings, with Leotychides usurping Demaratos's throne.

### [Xerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/xerxes)

_professional_

Demaratos, a deposed Spartan king, serves as an advisor to Xerxes during the Persian invasion of Greece.

### [Leotychides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/leotychides)

_rivalry_

Demaratos and Leotychides are rival Spartan kings, with Leotychides usurping Demaratos's throne.

## In the story

### [Book VI: Erato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vi-erato)

Demaratos, the other Spartan king, stays behind in Sparta and brings charges against Cleomenes, highlighting the rivalry between the two kings.

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

Demaratos, the exiled Spartan king, advises Xerxes on the succession, claiming that a son born while his father is king should inherit.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/demaratos
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters