Brasidas
Brasidas is most prestigious of the general Spartans during the first years of the Peloponnesian War (fifth century BC).
In 431 it saved the town of Méthone, besieged by the Athéniens. Following that, it was named senior of the magistrates (éphore) with Sparte.
It took part in the attempt of the Spartans to dislodge the Athenians of Pylos in 425, but held only commands relatively subordinates until in 424, when it was sent towards north to harm the interests of the Athenians in Thrace; there, it seized several allied important cities in Athens, among which Amphipolis and Toroné.
The Athenians blamed the historian Thucydide, who was with Thasos with his fleet, because it had let Amphipolis go without resistance, and exiled it.
Brasidas continued its operations in Thrace until in 422, when it had to face without reinforcements with a new Athenian army under the orders of Cléon, sent to catch up with the losses. The Athenians took again Toroné but failed in front of Amphipolis held by Lacédémoniens under the orders of Brasidas. This last attacked the army besieging with a hundred soldiers, sowing panic and death in the strong Athenian army several thousands of men. It is during this battle that Cléon and Brasidas were both killed.
Brasidas accepted the exceptional honors of one burial inside the walls of Amphipolis, and its tomb accommodated annual sacrifices like that of a hero.
Brasidas caused durable damage with the Athenian interests in a vital part of sound empire.
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