(), an Athenian, of the demus of Deceleia. In the
war between Athens and Aegina, just before the Persian invasion of B. C.
490, he slew in single combat Eurybates the Argive, before whose prowess three
Athenians had already fallen. At the battle of Plataea, in B. C.
479, Sophanes distinguished himself by his valour above all his countrymen. One account
described him as wearing during the engagement an iron anchor, which lie had fastened by a
chain to the belt of his cuirass, and fixed in the ground to steady himself against the charge
of the enemy. According to another statement, he merely bore the device of an anchor on his
shield, which he kept perpetually whirling round. In B. C. 465,
Sophanes was joined with Leagrus in the command of the 10,000 Athenians who unsuccessfully
attempted to colonize Amphipolis, and was slain in battle by the natives. (Herod 6.92, 9.73-75
; Thuc. 1.100, 4.102; Paus. 1.29.)