| Leonidas I | |
|---|---|
 Leonidas sends a messenger to the Spartans by Richard Geiger | |
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Real Name |
Leonidas I |
|
Born |
540 BC |
|
Died |
11 August, 480 BC |
Origin[]
Kid Eternity summoned Leonidas I in Kid Eternity #2
Leonidas was a Spartan king whose stand against the invading Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece is one of the enduring tales of Greek heroism, invoked throughout Western history as the epitome of bravery exhibited against overwhelming odds.
He was the son of king Anaxandridas II and the 17th king of the Agiad dynasty, a Spartan royal house which claimed descent from the mythical demigod Heracles. Leonidas succeeded his half brother, Cleomenes I, as king, probably in 490. He was married to Cleomenes’ daughter, Gorgo, and may have supported Cleomenes’ aggressions against other Greek cities. He ruled jointly along with king Leotychidas until his death in 480 BC, when he was succeeded by his son, Pleistarchus.
In 480 Leonidas commanded the small Greek force that resisted the advance through Thermopylae of the vast army of the Persian king Xerxes. For two days Leonidas withstood Persian attacks; he then ordered most of his troops to retreat, and he and his 300-member royal guard fought to the last man. This episode made a deep impression on the Greek imagination and gave rise to the legend that Spartans never surrendered.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Leonidas I before January 1, 1930 are public domain.
Some Notable Appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Leonidas (1737) by Richard Glover
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- More Fun Comics #10, 14
- Kid Eternity #2, 10
Notes[]
- Leonidas is the protagonist of Frank Miller's comic book series 300, including its film adaptation.