# Agis — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Agis in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** King Agis

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i

## Snapshot

The Spartan king who commands Peloponnesian armies in Attica and later in the north, where his independence unsettles his own government.

## Who they are

Agis inherits the leadership of repeated invasions of Attica, but his most consequential campaigns unfold far from Sparta, in the north and eventually against Athens' allies. He is a commander of real initiative whose willingness to act on his own judgment makes him both valuable and suspect at home. His decisions in the middle years of the war test how much autonomy Sparta will tolerate in its kings.

## Relationships

### [Archidamus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/archidamus)

_family_

Agis was the son and successor of Archidamus as Spartan king, continuing his father's cautious military policies.

## In the story

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xi)

Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica but turns back due to earthquakes.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-v)

Spartan king who leads forces in the Peloponnese and faces challenges from the Argive alliance.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xvi)

King of Sparta; blamed for failing to subdue Argos and for the loss of Orchomenos; nearly punished by the Spartans but promises to atone; leads the army to Mantinea but withdraws without engaging.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxi)

Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica and oversees the fortification of Decelea.

### [Nineteenth and twentieth years of the war — Revolt of Ionia — Intervention of Persia — The War in Ionia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxiv)

Spartan king who leads winter campaigns, levies contributions, and prepares for the spring offensive.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/agis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters