# Demosthenes — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Demosthenes in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Demosthenes, son of Cratesicles

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

## Snapshot

Athenian general whose restless, inventive tactics made him one of the war's most aggressive and unpredictable commanders.

## Who they are

Demosthenes, son of Cratesicles, is the general who thinks in ambushes, night attacks, and improvised fortifications rather than the set-piece battles Athens was raised on. He repeatedly pushes for bold strokes that his cautious colleagues resist, and his willingness to gamble on terrain and timing makes him both invaluable and unnerving. In a war of attrition, he represents the Athenian instinct to strike first and strike hard.

## Relationships

### [Nicias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/nicias)

_professional_

Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat.

### [Eurymedon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/eurymedon)

_professional_

Demosthenes and Eurymedon were Athenian generals who cooperated in naval campaigns, but Eurymedon's death in Sicily left Demosthenes isolated.

### [Nicias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/nicias)

_professional_

Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat.

### [Eurymedon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/eurymedon)

_professional_

Demosthenes and Eurymedon were Athenian generals who cooperated in naval campaigns, but Eurymedon's death in Sicily left Demosthenes isolated.

## In the story

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

Athenian general who fortifies Pylos and begins operations that lead to the capture of Spartan forces.

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

Sent with 30 ships around Peloponnese as an Athenian general.

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

Athenian general who fortifies Pylos and leads the successful defense against Spartan attacks.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xiii)

Leads a detachment in the ambush at Megara, being the first to enter the gates during the betrayal attempt.

### [XIV: Eighth and Ninth Years of the War — Invasion of Boeotia — Fall of Amphipolis — Brilliant Successes of Brasidas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xiv)

Athenian general sent to Naupactus with forty ships to raise an army and receive Siphae from conspirators in Boeotia.

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

Athenian general who arrived with reinforcements and advocated for a retreat; his night attack on Epipolae failed disastrously.

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

Dispatched to Sicily with a fleet; first sails with Charicles to raid Laconia and fortify a position.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxii)

Leads the night attack on Epipolae, which fails; strongly advocates for immediate withdrawal from Syracuse to preserve the army and resources.

### [The Final Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxiii)

Demosthenes supports Nicias in the retreat and addresses his part of the army with similar exhortations. He later proposes manning the remaining ships for another naval attempt, but the sailors refuse.

## Links

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