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Histories · Character

Epialtes

Traitor who shows the Persians the path around Thermopylae.

minor

First appearance: book vii polymnia

See Epialtes in book vii polymniaBook page

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Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Epialtes sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

CACambysesMIMiltiadesDADariusXEXerxesCYCyrusEPEpialtes

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Diverse figures from the Histories
  • Kings and commanders of the Greco-Persian Wars
  • Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationBreaking pointClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the Hellene…

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See Epialtes in book vii polymnia