Governor of Miletus who, encouraged by his father-in-law Histiaeus, initiated a rebellion of Ionian cities against Persian rule but fled after the revolt was crushed.

A prominent Athenian statesman and rival of Themistocles, praised by Herodotus for his fairness and justice during significant battles against Persian forces, including Salamis and Plataea.

Darius' brother and Xerxes' uncle, who served as a wise counselor to both kings, cautioning against invasions that later proved disastrous.

A Persian commander during Xerxes' invasion who wisely warned against certain attacks and retreated strategically during battles, ensuring the survival of his troops.

Persian governor of Sardis known for his role in quelling the Ionian revolt and for setting tax regulations for the cities of Ionia.

Tyrant of Halicarnassus and notable female commander in Xerxes' navy, recognized for her counsel during the Battle of Salamis and her skilled leadership.

King of Media and maternal grandfather to Cyrus, whose dreams foretold his grandson's rise to power, leading to a series of events that fulfilled the prophecy.

Persian king known for his conquest of Egypt and an ill-fated campaign into Ethiopia, with a reputation colored by acts of impiety and personal turmoil.

Reformer of Athenian democracy in 508 BCE, remembered for reorganizing the political structure and introducing principles of equality under the law.

Spartan king known for his aggressive foreign policy and involvement in internal Greek affairs, including efforts to influence the leadership of Athens.

Lydian king famous for his immense wealth and dealings with Greek cities, whose engagement with the Persian empire and subsequent downfall highlights themes of fortune and foresight.

Founder of the Persian Empire, noted for his conquests and leadership that expanded Persia's reach across several major territories, including Lydia and Babylon.

Persian ruler who expanded the empire to its great extent, famous for quelling revolts and pursuing campaigns in Scythia and Greece, as well as restructuring the empire's administration.

Ousted Spartan king who fled to Persia and accompanied Xerxes on his campaign against Greece, providing valuable insights on Spartan character and society.

Chosen to lead the Greek navy during the infamous battles against Persia at Artemisium and Salamis, where his decisions impacted the course of these engagements.

Lydian king who seized power by killing Candaules, a story often illustrating themes of desire and the shifts of royal legitimacy.

The historian who authored these accounts, known for his travels and extensive documentation of events and peoples across the Mediterranean and Near East.

Son of Pisistratus, who assumed tyranny in Athens, later exiled and aligned with Persia during its campaigns against Greece.

Tyrant of Miletus known for his strategic decisions during and after the Scythian campaign, eventually becoming involved in the Ionian revolt against Persia.

Spartan king and hero of the Battle of Thermopylae, celebrated for his leadership and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming Persian forces.

Spartan king who led the Greek fleet to victory at the Battle of Mycale and later commanded an unsuccessful campaign against Thessaly.

A significant Persian military commander involved in critical campaigns in Greece, known for efforts to negotiate and remount offenses after Persian setbacks.

Athenian military leader famed for his pivotal role in the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon and his subsequent misfortunes.

Queen of Babylon acclaimed for her strategic and engineering innovations to protect the city, further remembered for her son’s political struggles against Cyrus.

Spartan general praised for his leadership at the Battle of Plataea, where he played a crucial role in the defeat of Persian forces.

Corinthian tyrant notable for his harsh rule and estrangement from his family, illustrating the challenges and downfalls of authoritarian leadership.

Mother of Cyrene's ruler, Arcesilaus, and remembered for her retributive actions following his murder, her story serves as a cautionary tale of vengeance.

A charismatic Athenian leader whose cunning brought him to power multiple times as a tyrant, known for his moderate rule and public works.

Ambitious tyrant of Samos, known for his unprecedented successes and relationships with rulers like Amasis of Egypt, whose fortunes ultimately shifted tragically.

Egyptian ruler credited with re-unifying the country and introducing a period of Greek settlement and influence therein following Ethiopian rule.

Eminent Athenian lawmaker and philosopher recognized for his foundational reforms in governance and reflections on human prosperity and felicity.

Athenian general whose naval strategies played a critical role in Greek defenses against Xerxes' invasion, later known for his political agility amidst shifting loyalties.

Queen of the Massagetae, notable for her fierce resistance against Cyrus and the preservation of her people's independence.

Persian king remembered for his massive campaign against Greece, marked by his ambitious vision and the catastrophic defeat at Salamis.