Callicrates of Sparta
Callicrates | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Καλλικράτης |
| Born | Sparta |
| Died | August 479 BC Plataea |
| Allegiance | Sparta |
| Rank | Hoplite |
| Battles / wars | |
Callicrates (Greek: Καλλικράτης) was a Spartan soldier who was killed at the Battle of Plataea in August 479 BC. He is mentioned by Herodotus as the finest and handsomest man of all the Greeks of his time. He was slain by an arrow just before the armies engaged at Plataea, and while the Greeks were waiting till the signs from the sacrifices should be favourable.[1]
According to Herodotus, while Callicrates died he said to a Plataean named Arimnestos (Greek: Αρίμνηστος) that he is not grieved because he died for Greece but he is grieved because he had not proved his strength, and that no deed of valour had been displayed by him.[2]
In Herodotus, his name occurs among the iranes (Spartan youths) who were buried separately from the rest of the Spartiates and from the Helots.[3]
Notes
- ^ Herodotus, Histories, IX.72
- ^ Herodotus Book 9: Calliope, 72 "...he having been carried out of the ranks was dying a lingering death: and he said to Arimnestos a Plataian that it did not grieve him to die for Hellas, but it grieved him only that he had not proved his strength of hand, and that no deed of valour had been displayed by him worthy of the spirit which he had in him to perform great deeds. "
- ^ Herodotus, Histories, IX.85
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Callicrates". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.