Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Sophanes

by Various Authors

SOPHANES (Σωφάνης), 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 Eury bates 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 he 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 at- tempted to colonize Amphipolis, and was slain in battle by the natives. (Herod vi. 92, ix. 73 — 75 ; Thuc. i. 100, iv. 102 ; Pans. i. 29.) [E. E.]