Dienekes or Dieneces ( el, Διηνέκης, from διηνεκής, Doric Greek: διανεκής "continuous, unbroken") was a

Sparta Sparta ( Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referre ...

n soldier who fought and died at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. He was acclaimed the bravest of all the Greeks who fought in that battle.

Herodotus Herodotus ( ; grc, , }; BC) was an ancient Greek historian and geographer from the Greek city of Halicarnassus, part of the Persian Empire (now Bodrum, Turkey) and a later citizen of Thurii in modern Calabria ( Italy). He is known f ...

(7.226) related the following

anecdote An anecdote is "a story with a point", such as to communicate an abstract idea about a person, place, or thing through the concrete details of a short narrative or to characterize by delineating a specific quirk or trait. Occasionally humorous ...

about Dienekes: Herodotus also mentions that Dienekes said many other similar things which made him unforgotten.

Plutarch Plutarch (; grc-gre, Πλούταρχος, ''Ploútarchos''; ; – after AD 119) was a Greek Middle Platonist philosopher, historian, biographer, essayist, and priest at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. He is known primarily for his ''P ...

in his " Sayings of the Spartans" also mentions this comment, but he attributes it to

Leonidas I Leonidas I (; grc-gre, Λεωνίδας; died 19 September 480 BC) was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles. Leonidas I was son of Kin ...

, Dienekes' general in the battle. According to Plutarch, when one of the soldiers complained to Leonidas that "Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun," Leonidas replied, "Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?" The

laconic phrase A laconic phrase or laconism is a concise or terse statement, especially a blunt and elliptical rejoinder. It is named after Laconia, the region of Greece including the city of Sparta, whose ancient inhabitants had a reputation for verbal auster ...

"then we will fight in the shade" was cited by Latin writers such as

Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises that led to the estab ...

(''in umbra igitur pugnabimus'' ) and

Valerius Maximus Valerius Maximus () was a 1st-century Latin writer and author of a collection of historical anecdotes: ''Factorum ac dictorum memorabilium libri IX'' ("Nine books of memorable deeds and sayings", also known as ''De factis dictisque memorabilibus'' ...

(''in umbra enim proeliabimur'' ). The street east of the Tomb of Leonidas in the modern town of

is named for Dienekes (, connecting and ).

In popular culture

* Dienekes is one of the main characters in

Steven Pressfield Steven Pressfield (born September 1, 1943) is an American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays, including his 1995 novel ''The Legend of Bagger Vance'' and 2002 non-fiction book '' The War of Art''. Early life Pressfie ...

's novel ''

Gates of Fire ''Gates of Fire'' is a 1998 historical fiction novel by Steven Pressfield that recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through Xeones, a perioikos (free but non-citizen inhabitant of Sparta) born in Astakos, and one of only three Greek survivors ...

'' (1998). He's known for his memorable one-liners and quick wit, which resembles his real life quote of "fighting in the shade." Throughout the book the author alludes to his humble, hardworking character which the narrator uses to explain his excellent leadership skills and fighting prowess as a platoon commander. His main job as an officer was to "fire their valor when it flagged, and rein in their fury when it threatened to take them out of hand." He is described as being a master teacher and a "student of fear." He shares his timeless wisdom throughout the book with his protege. Throughout the book he tries to strip fighting of its mystery by saying that "war is work" that the preparation for war is the most noble and virtuous pursuit. He preaches that there is a "force beyond fear" through only attaining and abiding by the virtues laid out by Spartan law. He also describes the fighting ability of warriors who have touched the sublime in battle. He quotes his late brother when asked how he fought like an immortal and he responds, "More virtue." One of the most profound pieces of wisdom he shares with readers is that "love is the opposite of fear." * Dienekes is portrayed by Michael Fassbender in the film '' 300 ''(2007) as Stelios. He appears in many scenes throughout the movie and gives his famous "fight in the shade" line. He is a close friend of King Leonidas as well as Astinos, is

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

Artemis In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Artemis (; grc-gre, Ἄρτεμις) is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She was heavily identified wit ...

's son and the Spartan warrior. * Dienekes is a character in the video game '' Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' (2018).

References

{{reflist, 1 Ancient Spartan soldiers 480 BC deaths 5th-century BC Spartans Ancient Greeks killed in battle Battle of Thermopylae Spartans of the Greco-Persian Wars