Brasidas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brasidas
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Brasidas during an assault, as illustrated by Walter Crane.
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| Native name |
Βρασίδας
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| Died | 422 BC Amphipolis |
| Buried |
Amphipolis
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| Allegiance | Sparta |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Peloponnesian War
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| Relations | Argileonis (mother) |
Brasidas was a very famous Spartan general. He lived a long time ago, around 422 BC. He was known for being a great leader during the first part of the Peloponnesian War. He died bravely in a big battle at Amphipolis, where he led his army to a huge victory.
Contents
Who Was Brasidas?
Brasidas was the son of Tellis and Argileonis. He first became famous in 431 BC. He helped save the city of Methone from an Athenian attack. In 429 BC, he served as a special advisor to a Spartan admiral.
Early Military Actions
Brasidas showed his bravery in the Battle of Pylos. He was a trierarch, a ship commander. During an attack on the Athenian position, he was badly hurt. Even with his injury, he kept fighting.
In 424 BC, Brasidas was gathering an army. He was preparing for a campaign in Thrace. While doing this, he stopped an Athenian attack on Megara. This showed his quick thinking and leadership.
Campaigns in Thrace
After saving Megara, Brasidas marched his army through Thessaly. He had about 1,700 soldiers with him. This included 700 helots (Spartan state-owned serfs) and 1,000 hired soldiers. He joined forces with Perdiccas II of Macedon, the king of Macedon.
Perdiccas wanted Brasidas to fight a Macedonian tribe called the Lyncestians. But Brasidas refused to be used for Perdiccas's personal goals. He chose to talk with Arrhabaeus, the Lyncestian leader, instead. He ignored the king's wishes and made his own peace.
Winning Over Cities
Brasidas then focused on his main mission. He moved quickly and boldly. He also had a charming personality and made fair demands. Because of this, he managed to win over many important cities. These included Acanthus, Amphipolis, Stagirus, and Toroni. He also gained control of many smaller towns.
He tried to attack Eion, but he was stopped. The famous historian Thucydides arrived with an Athenian fleet. Thucydides was also an Athenian general at this time.
Truce and Continued Fighting
In 423 BC, Athens and Sparta agreed to a truce. But this peace was quickly broken. The city of Scione joined Brasidas's side. This happened just two days after the truce began. Athens demanded Scione back, but Brasidas refused. He even encouraged another city, Mende, to revolt. The people of Scione were so grateful. They gave Brasidas a golden crown and called him the 'liberator of Hellas'.
An Athenian fleet, led by generals Nicias and Nicostratus, fought back. They took back Mende and surrounded Scione. Scione fell two years later, in 421 BC.
Meanwhile, Perdiccas forced Brasidas to join him again. They went on a campaign against Arrhabaeus and the Lyncestians. They won a battle, pushing Arrhabaeus into the mountains. But then, a group of Illyrians arrived. They were supposed to help Perdiccas, but they sided with Arrhabaeus. The Macedonian army fled in fear. Brasidas's army was in a very dangerous spot. He saved his forces only through his calm leadership and skill. This event, known as the Battle of Lyncestis, caused a big fight between Brasidas and Perdiccas.
His Final Battle
In April 422 BC, the truce with Sparta ended. That summer, the Athenian general Cleon was sent to Thrace. Cleon captured Toroni and Galepsus. He then prepared to attack Amphipolis. This was the most important Athenian city in the Chalcidice region.
Cleon moved part of his army forward to check the defenses. Brasidas saw a chance to defeat the larger Athenian force. Brasidas's plan for this final victory was typical of his style. It was a bold, sudden surprise attack. He wanted to confuse the enemy. He used his small group of Spartan soldiers very well. He also made the best use of his allies, mostly Edonians from Myrkinos.
Brasidas personally led the Spartans in a sudden charge from Amphipolis. They quickly defeated the left side of the Athenian army. His allies attacked from another gate, breaking the enemy's right side. Edonian and Chalcidian cavalry chased the fleeing Athenians. They killed 600 men, including Cleon.
The Spartans lost only seven men. But one of them was Brasidas. He was badly wounded while leading his troops. He died a hero.
A Hero's Burial
Brasidas was buried in Amphipolis, inside the city walls. This was a very special honor in ancient Greece. He was later seen as the founder of the city. People held yearly games and sacrifices in his honor. In Sparta, a special monument was built for him. It was near the tombs of other heroes like Pausanias and Leonidas. Yearly speeches and games were held there too, only for Spartans.
Brasidas's Legacy
Chaido Koukouli-Chrysanthaki, an archaeologist, has studied Amphipolis for thirty years. She found evidence that Brasidas's burial site was discovered. According to the Greek historian Thucydides, Brasidas's grave was in front of Amphipolis's new public meeting place.
Archaeologists found the foundations of a small building. They also found a stone-lined grave. Inside was a silver container for ashes, called an ossuary. It came with a gold wreath. Many believe these hold the remains of Brasidas. This ossuary is now in the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis. The grave itself was a hole dug into the rock. Limestone blocks and mortar were used to create the burial chamber.
Thucydides described Brasidas as a unique Spartan. He had the usual Spartan courage. But he also had qualities that other Spartans often lacked. Brasidas was quick to make plans. He carried them out without delay. His speeches were also very good, much better than other Spartan speeches Thucydides recorded. It seems Brasidas's unusual qualities might have caused some jealousy in Sparta.
Quotes
- "Make no show of cowardice then on your part, seeing the greatness of the issues at stake, and I will show that what I preach to others I can practice myself" (Strassler 307/5.9.10).
- "Not a bad speaker either, for a Spartan" (Thucydides 4.84)
- "He did the Lacedaemonians very great service" (Thucydides 4.81)
See also
Images for kids
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This silver ossuary and gold crown are believed to be from Brasidas's tomb. They are now in the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis.
