# Gylippus — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Gylippus in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** major

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

## Snapshot

The Spartan officer sent late to Syracuse, whose arrival turns a besieged city into a trap for the Athenian fleet and army.

## Who they are

Gylippus reaches Sicily when Syracuse is already walled in and half-defeated, and he refuses to accept the cautious verdict of local commanders. A Spartan trained to seize the moment, he rallies allies, breaks the Athenian circumvallation, and forces the besiegers to become the besieged. His energy and tactical nerve mark the point where Athens' western adventure begins to reverse.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster.

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

_rivalry_

Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster.

## In the story

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

Spartan commander sent to Syracuse; arrives to rally the Syracusans and lead the defense against the Athenian siege.

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

Spartan commander who arrived to lead the Syracusan defense, outmaneuvering the Athenians and sealing their fate.

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

Arrives in Syracuse with troops, encourages the Syracusans to fight at sea, and leads the assault on Plemmyrium.

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

Commands the Syracusan and allied forces; leads the counterattack during the night battle on Epipolae and later goes to Sicily to gather reinforcements.

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

Gylippus, along with the Syracusan generals, perceives the Athenian preparations and immediately mans the Syracusan ships. He later sends troops to fortify the pass and block the Athenian retreat.

## Links

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