A Spartan youth and close friend of Xeones, Alexandros is admired for his beauty and voice but struggles with asthma, hindering his military training.

A respected Spartan veteran and mentor to Alexandros and Xeones, Dienekes is known for his philosophical insight and preference for teaching over personal glory.

The wife of Dienekes and former wife of his brother, Arete is an intelligent and commanding presence who is protective of family members, including her nephew Rooster.

An imposing helot with a fierce demeanor, Rooster resents his status and challenges expectations by distinguishing himself as a warrior.

A celebrated Spartan warrior known for his undefeated prowess and physical perfection, Polynikes is characterized by his arrogance and pursuit of personal glory.

One of the dual kings of Sparta, Leonidas is a seasoned warrior who leads by example and is renowned for his speeches and leadership during battles.

A long-serving, blind slave of Xeones's family, Bruxieus guides Xeones and Diomache in survival after their city's fall, relying on his knowledge of nature.

Xeones’s elder cousin who journeys separately from him with aspirations to live in Athens, possessing confidence and a strong will.

A Spartan polemarch and father to Alexandros, Olympieus is respected as a wise and brave leader integral to Spartan military counsel.

A Persian captain responsible for Xeones after a battle, Orontes is notable for his fairness and attempts to save Xeones.

A Greek merchant who joins the Spartans near Thermopylae, Elephantinos is known for his humor that boosts morale among the soldiers.

The captain of the Thespaian troops who aligns with the Spartans, Dithyrambos is known for his leadership and fierce fighting abilities.

An Egyptian captain of the Persian fleet's marines, his distinctive appearance and persuasive attempts to sway Greeks are noteworthy.

The historian of Xerxes’s campaign responsible for recording Xeones’s narrative, developing a genuine respect for him.

A Scythian warrior in exile who fights ferociously for Sparta, known for his nickname derived from his request for death.

The Persian Emperor intent on conquering Greece, Xerxes is characterized by his unpredictability and detached observation of battles.

Xerxes’s leading military commander known for pride and a tendency to dismiss information contrary to his views.

Dienekes’s brother and Arete's first husband, Iatrokles was an Olympic champion whose legacy continues to influence the narrative.

A famous warrior and Rooster's father, he has a legacy marked by his bravery, influencing those connected to him.

A former gang leader on Astakos’s hills who later serves as a Spartan scout, known for his past rivalry with Xeones.