Gorgo - Revision history

Irlandos at 16:45, January 22, 2010

2010-01-22T16:45:07Z

Irlandos at 16:44, January 22, 2010

2010-01-22T16:44:00Z

Irlandos at 16:43, January 22, 2010

2010-01-22T16:43:17Z

Irlandos: New page: '''Gorgo''' (born ca. 510 BC) was a legendary queen of ancient Sparta. Gorgo was born during the reign of her father Cleomenes I. She was his only child and is mentioned by [[...

2010-01-22T16:42:16Z

New page: '''Gorgo''' (born ca. 510 BC) was a legendary queen of ancient Sparta. Gorgo was born during the reign of her father Cleomenes I. She was his only child and is mentioned by [[...

New page

'''Gorgo''' (born ca. [[510 BC]]) was a legendary queen of ancient [[Sparta]].

Gorgo was born during the reign of her father [[Cleomenes I]]. She was his only child and is mentioned by [[Herodotus]] as having warned her father in [[500 BC]] to send away Aristagoras of Miletus before he could corrupt him. Aristagoras was trying to get Sparta's involvement in the [[Ionian Revolt]] and resorted to bribery after Cleomenes' repeated refusals to become involved.

Cleomenes was jailed by the [[ephors]] and his half-brothers around [[489 BC]]. Days later, he was found dead - possibly murdered - though officials claimed he committed suicide. Gorgo became his sole heiress and, at about this time married her father's half-brother and successor [[Leonidas]] who was probably in his late 40s and may have had a part in Cleomenes' death. The marriage may have been one of convenience to keep the property of the dead man within his family. Gorgo and Leonidas had one son - future King [[Pleistarchos]].

Gorgo is credited with uncovering the message that Persia intended to invade Greece in [[485 BC]]. Exiled former King [[Demaratus]] had sent two wooden tablets, covered with wax, through a messenger to Sparta. Gorgo suggested the wax be scrapped off and the message was revealed.

Five years later, her husband [[Leonidas]] led a contingent of 300 Spartans to Thermopylae to fight the Persian invaders. On his departure, Gorgo, certain of his death, asked him what should become of her. Leonidas told her to marry a good man and raise good children.

Gorgo is one of few ancient Greek women that is treated with respect and honour by the ancient writers for her strength of character, her cunning and bravery.

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	Gorgo is one of few ancient Greek women that is treated with respect and honour by the ancient writers for her strength of character, her cunning and bravery.		Gorgo is one of few ancient Greek women that is treated with respect and honour by the ancient writers for her strength of character, her cunning and bravery.
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 Gorgo was born during the reign of her father [[Cleomenes I]]. She was his only child and is mentioned by [[Herodotus]] as having warned her father in [[500 BC]] to send away Aristagoras of Miletus before he could corrupt him. Aristagoras was trying to get Sparta's involvement in the [[Ionian Revolt]] and resorted to bribery after Cleomenes' repeated refusals to become involved.
-Cleomenes was jailed by the [[ephors]] and his half-brothers around [[489 BC]]. Days later, he was found dead - possibly murdered - though officials claimed he committed suicide. Gorgo became his sole heiress and, at about this time married her father's half-brother and successor [[Leonidas]] who was probably in his late 40s and may have had a part in Cleomenes' death. The marriage may have been one of convenience to keep the property of the dead man within his family. Gorgo and Leonidas had one son - future King [[Pleistarchos]].
+Cleomenes was jailed by the [[ephors]] and his half-brothers around [[489 BC]]. Days later, he was found dead - possibly murdered - though officials claimed he committed suicide. Gorgo became his sole heiress and, at about this time married her father's half-brother and successor [[Leonidas]] who was probably in his late 40s and may have had a part in Cleomenes' death. The marriage may have been one of convenience to keep the property of the dead man within his family. Gorgo and Leonidas had one son - future King [[Pleistarchus]].
 Gorgo is credited with uncovering the message that Persia intended to invade Greece in [[485 BC]]. Exiled former King [[Demaratus]] had sent two wooden tablets, covered with wax, through a messenger to Sparta. Gorgo suggested the wax be scrapped off and the message was revealed.