Histories · Character
Leonidas
Spartan king who takes a small allied force to hold the narrow pass at Thermopylae, trading his life for time the Greeks desperately need.
major
Also known as Leonidas the Lacedaemonian, Leonidas Abronichos
First appearance: book vii polymnia
As a major figure in Histories, Leonidas is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Mentioned in a note about his ancestry and the battle of Thermopylae.
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Leonidas commands the Greek coalition at Thermopylae, a position chosen because the pass negates Persian numbers and lets a few stand against many. A king bound by Spartan law and oracular warning, he must weigh duty to…
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See Leonidas in book vii polymniaCharacter Web
17 connectionsA slice of how Leonidas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Diverse figures from the Histories
- Kings and commanders of the Greco-Persian Wars
- Protagonist
+12 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- 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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Leonidas appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Leonidas in book vii polymnia