A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Καλλικράτης) historical.

1. A Spartan, is mentioned by Herodotus as the finest and handsomest man of all the Greeks of his time. He was slain by an arrow just before the armies engaged at Plataea (B. C. 479), and while the Greeks were waiting till the signs from the sacrifices should be favourable. (Hdt. 9.72.) In Hdt. 9.85, his name occurs among the ἰρένες who were buried separately from the rest of the Spartans and from the Helots. The word ἰρένες, however, can hardly be used here in its ordinary meaning of "youths," but has probably its original signification of "commanders." (See Müller, Dor. ii. p. 315; Thirlwall's Greece, ii. p. 350, note.)