The Spartans, however, spurned Aristodemos for their prize of valour, awarding this to three other warriors, Posidonius, Philokyon and Amompharetus. The commanders adjudged Aristodemos’ heroics reckless and unsound, striving in blood madness alone in front of the line, clearly seeking death before his comrades’ eyes to expiate the infamy of his survival at Thermopylae. The valour of Posidonius, Philokyon and Amompharetus they reckoned superior, being that of men who wish to live yet still fight magnificently.
