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JESSICA M. ROMNEY

MacEwan University

Aristodemus was the sole survivor of the Spartan 300 at THERMOPYLAE (7.229–31), and he died at PLATAEA in 479 BCE. (9.71). Herodotus’ account of his behavior at both battles, and of the Spartan reaction to his actions, elaborates upon the perception by non‐Spartans that Spartan society was dominated by a martial ideology reinforced by intense public SHAME.

There are two variants with the same format. In the first version Aristodemus and EURYTUS were sent away from Thermopylae by LEONIDAS in order to recover from chronic eye conditions (7.229). Eurytus, however, ordered his HELOT to direct him back to the fighting, where he died; Aristodemus returned to SPARTA. The second version names Aristodemus a MESSENGER, and again he is the only survivor (7.230). The Spartans branded him a coward, though Aristodemus would redeem himself at Plataea: Herodotus, when ranking the bravery of both sides at this battle, names Aristodemus the bravest or best individual (ἄριστος, 9.71). The Spartans, however, honored POSEIDONIUS instead and censured Aristodemus. He had acted contrary to expected HOPLITE behavior by breaking ranks at Plataea, and especially contrary to behavior expected of a Spartan in battle by surviving Thermopylae when the remainder of the Spartan forces died there. On account of the latter he earned the name “Trembler” (tresas, 7.231), a designation reserved for deserters and cowards in Sparta (cf. Xen. Lac. 9.3–5; Plut. Ages. 30.2–4).

SEE ALSO: aretē; Courage; Warfare