# Astyochus — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Astyochus in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** supporting

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

## Snapshot

The Spartan admiral sent to command the fleet in the Aegean, whose indecision and willingness to entertain Athenian offers made him a liability to his own side.

## Who they are

Astyochus arrives in the east to lead Peloponnesian naval operations but quickly earns a reputation for hesitation, refusing battle when opportunity offers and alienating allies like the Syracusans and Chians. He becomes entangled in Phrynichus's treacherous correspondence, showing that Spartan discipline did not guarantee competent or loyal commanders. His tenure illustrates how the war's later phases were shaped as much by squandered chances and divided councils as by battlefield courage.

## Relationships

### [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/alcibiades)

_psychological_

Alcibiades manipulated Astyochus, the Spartan admiral, into distrusting his own allies and ultimately defecting to the Persians.

## In the story

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

Spartan admiral who commands the Peloponnesian fleet in the Aegean and interacts with Alcibiades and Tissaphernes.

### [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)

Lacedaemonian admiral who hesitates to aid Chios, later receives the new fleet and commissioners.

### [Intrigues and Oligarchic Conspiracies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxv)

Spartan admiral who receives Phrynichus's secret letters and betrays him to Alcibiades and Tissaphernes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/astyochus
- 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