Leonidas became famous for his heroic stance. To this day, movies are made about him.
King Leonidas led the 300 Spartans. The Battle of Thermopylae, in which he participated, is one of the most impressive armed conflicts in history. What is known about the famous ruler of Sparta?
Who was Leonidas?
Historians do not have conclusive evidence of Leonidas’ birthdate, but an approximate date of around 540 BCE is accepted. However, it is known that he died on September 19, 480 BCE. He was the king of the Greek city-state of Sparta and belonged to the Agiad dynasty, whose members believed they descended from the mythical demigod Heracles. He was born as the son of King Anaxandridas II and his first wife. Herodotus states that Leonidas’ mother was not only married to his father but also his father’s niece. This was not the only controversial relationship in the royal family.
Leonidas married Gorgo, who was the daughter of his half-brother, Kleomenes I. After the death of Anaxandridas II, Kleomenes ascended to the throne, and Leonidas succeeded him. Pleistarchus, the son of the heroic king and his beloved Gorgo, later took the throne.
Leonidas was trained as a hoplite from a young age. Hoplites were soldiers who fought with spears and short iron swords and used shields. They formed a phalanx, standing…
