# Brasidas

> 5th century BC Spartan general

**Wikidata**: [Q311742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311742)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasidas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brasidas

## Summary
Brasidas was a 5th century BC Spartan general who served during the Peloponnesian War. He is best known for his military leadership and the heroic honors bestowed upon him after his death in battle.

## Biography
- Born: 5th century BC
- Nationality: Spartan
- Education: Spartan military training
- Known for: Spartan military leadership during the Peloponnesian War
- Employer(s): Spartan military
- Field(s): Military leadership

## Contributions
Brasidas led Spartan forces during the Peloponnesian War, most notably in the Battle of Amphipolis in 422 BCE. His military leadership contributed to Spartan victories during this conflict. After his death in battle, he received heroic honors in Greek religious tradition, indicating his significant status and impact.

## FAQs
What war did Brasidas fight in?
Brasidas fought in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), a major conflict between Athens and Sparta.

What was Brasidas's most significant battle?
Brasidas's most significant battle was the Battle of Amphipolis in 422 BCE, where he ultimately lost his life.

What honors did Brasidas receive?
Brasidas received heroic honors in Greek religion after his death, a distinction typically reserved for individuals of exceptional status and achievement.

## Why They Matter
Brasidas matters as a key military figure in one of ancient Greece's most significant conflicts. His leadership during the Peloponnesian War helped shape the outcome of this pivotal struggle between Athens and Sparta. The heroic honors he received after death demonstrate his exceptional status in Spartan society and Greek culture.

## Notable For
- Spartan general during the Peloponnesian War
- Leadership in the Battle of Amphipolis (422 BCE)
- Recipient of heroic honors in Greek religion
- Military service for Sparta in 5th century BC

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Brasidas was born in Sparta during the 5th century BC, growing up in the rigorous Spartan military culture. As a Spartan citizen, he would have undergone the famous agoge training system from childhood, preparing him for military service.

### Military Career
Brasidas served as a general in the Spartan military during the Peloponnesian War, the major conflict between Athens and Sparta that lasted from 431 to 404 BCE. His military career was marked by significant leadership responsibilities and battlefield command.

### The Battle of Amphipolis
In 422 BCE, Brasidas participated in the Battle of Amphipolis, a crucial military engagement during the Peloponnesian War. This battle represented one of the key moments of his military career, though it ultimately resulted in his death. The battle was a Spartan investment of the city of Amphipolis, demonstrating the strategic importance of the location.

### Legacy and Honors
Following his death in battle, Brasidas received heroic honors in Greek religion. This distinction was significant, as it elevated him to a status similar to that of mythical heroes and indicated his exceptional contribution to Spartan society and military success. The bestowal of such honors suggests that Brasidas was held in particularly high regard by his contemporaries and successors.

### Historical Context
Brasidas's life and career unfolded during a pivotal period in ancient Greek history. The Peloponnesian War represented a fundamental struggle for power and influence in the Greek world, with Sparta ultimately emerging victorious. As a Spartan general, Brasidas played a role in this broader historical narrative that would shape the future of ancient Greece.

## References

1. History of the Peloponnesian War
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Source
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Library of Congress Control Number
6. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
7. Enciclopedia Treccani
8. Dizionario di Storia