Brasidas

"A good soldier acts when he's told. A great one is two steps ahead."

―Brasidas, c. 430 BCE.

Brasidas of Sparta (died 422 BCE) was a distinguished Spartan military officer who served during the Peloponnesian War.

Biography

Early years

Well before the Peloponnesian War swept through the Greek world, Brasidas made the acquaintance of Lagos, a farmer who went on to become the archon of Arkadia. Lagos managed to get supplies through to the starving soldiers serving Brasidas; this deed made enough of an impression on Brasidas that he reminisced about it years later, and he came to regard Lagos as a "dear friend."

Brasidas also befriended Myrrine, the daughter of the late King Leonidas I and wife of the general Nikolaos. When Myrrine left Sparta around 446 BCE after the incident on Mount Taygetos, many were willing to write her off as dead, but rumors of her survival persisted, and Brasidas was delighted to learn that these rumors were true. Despite their differences in opinions, the two were fond of the other's company and greatly respected each other.

Peloponnesian War

Mission in Korinth

Brasidas fighting alongside Kassandra

When the Peloponnesian War broke out, Brasidas was sent by King Archidamos to Korinthia, which was an ally of the state. There, Brasidas was tasked to spy on the Monger, a thug and a member of the Cult of Kosmos who took control of Korinth and the region. He also met the leader of the hetairai, Anthousa, who took charge in the efforts against the Monger's rule. However, they disagreed with one another about how to deal with the Monger; Anthousa called for him to be killed in public while Brasidas and Sparta wanted a quiet assassination.

Around 430 BCE, Brasidas assisted the misthios Kassandra in destroying a warehouse belonging to the Monger. After dispatching the waves of the Monger's thugs, Brasidas introduced himself to Kassandra and discussed how to deal with the Monger, insisting the he be killed quietly, rather than be publicly lynched as Anthousa desired, since he believed it would lead to anarchy in Korinth. Later, he learned of Kassandra's Spartan origin and lineage as the granddaughter of the late King Leonidas I, and discussed the fate of her step-father Nikolaos and her mother Myrrine before parting ways.

Return to Sparta

Brasidas outside Sparta's throne room

Two years later, following Kassandra and Myrrine's return to Lakonia, Brasidas assisted them in their efforts to reclaim their citizenship and home. He also introduced them and defended them during Kassandra and Myrrine's meeting with the Two Kings of Sparta, Archidamos and Pausanias. Afterwards, he offered advice to Kassandra, before leaving with Myrrine for Arkadia.

After learning that Lagos was a member of the Cult of Kosmos, Brasidas, believing his old friend had been forced to join the Cult, sought to free him and, by extension, Arkadia from the Cult's grasp. When Kassandra arrived in Arkadia, Brasidas and Myrrine met with her, and the former advised her to try and help Lagos while the latter argued for the archon's death.

Final battles and death

In 425 BCE, war came to Sparta when the Athenians invaded the region of Messenia. Brasidas took charge in the defense of Pylos against the Athenians. During the battle, he was assisted by Kassandra and attempted to eliminate Deimos, Kassandra's brother who fought for the Cult and Athens, only for him to be knocked away with ease.

Brasidas killed by Deimos

Despite suffering heavy injuries, Brasidas was able to recover and returned to the warfront. Around 422 BCE, he captured the city of Amphipolis in Makedonia. After learning of Kassandra's survival, he sent a messenger to Athens requesting her assistance, and she accepted. During the battle, Brasidas fought against Deimos while defending the city, and was killed when his opponent impaled him on his own spear.

Following his death, Brasidas was honored as a hero and the new founder of Amphipolis. Funeral games were later organized in his honor and became an annual event.

Simulation

In a simulation created by the Isu Aletheia, Brasidas was depicted as a tortured soul that resided within the realm of the Underworld ruled by Hades after his death. This simulation of Brasidas was forced to fight endless battles in the Eternal Battlefield, until Kassandra intervened during one of the confrontations and helped Brasidas and his men win the battle. Brasidas, not possessing all of his memories, initially attacked Kassandra until remembering that they were allies. He then revealed that Hades had denied him entrance to Elysium until he defeated his greatest enemy.

Assuming that he had to defeat Deimos, Kassandra offered to help Brasidas and reclaimed his shield. She then accompanied him as they went to face Brasidas' greatest enemy: a doppelganger of himself, symbolizing his hubris. After defeating him, Hades appeared and explained that Brasidas had to confront what had defeated him, directing him and Kassandra to the Forest of Oizys.

There, the two met the spirit of a woman named Lilaira, who asked them to bring her back her love in exchange for knowledge of Brasidas' past. After Kassandra recovered an urn containing the ashes of Lilaira's unborn child, she revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage after Brasidas pushed her to the ground when she tried to stop him from killing her husband during a Spartan attack on their village. The grief was too much to handle, and Lilaira ultimately took her own life. Following this revelation, Brasidas, Kassandra, and Hades reflected on Brasidas' actions and ultimately decided his fate: going to Elysium, or spending the rest of eternity in the Underworld, helping reunite families separated by war.

Personality and traits

"Never mind being a Spartan. Those of good character will forgive, and should be forgiven."

―Brasidas during his initial meeting with Kassandra, c. 430 BCE.

Brasidas with Kassandra and Myrrine

Brasidas was a Spartan nationalist and was proud of his Spartan heritage. As a highly skilled military officer within the Spartan army, he displayed rational thought and, unlike most Spartans, often preferred to use diplomacy and strategy whenever violence was not necessary. However, Brasidas could resort to brutal acts of violence when left with no choice. Brasidas also valued his friendships with those who proved their loyalty to him and to Sparta, such as Kassandra or Myrrine.

In the simulation of the Underworld, Brasidas had grown disillusioned by his former Spartan nationalism as it only damned him to Tartaros instead of rewarding him with a happy afterlife in Elysium. By reuniting with Kassandra, who was on a pilgrimage to master the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus, Brasidas was able to come to grip with his past and take solace in the fact that he could one day achieve redemption for his actions.

Skills and equipment

Brasidas was a highly skilled combatant and a profound military strategist. He was able to use his spear and shield in tandem which, combined with his rigorously trained Spartan physical conditioning, made him a fierce warrior. He easily slaughtered a group of the Monger's men before working in tandem with Kassandra to finish off the rest. He also held his own against Deimos, who wielded the Sword of Damokles—a Piece of Eden—though he was ultimately bested and slain by him.

Gallery

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  Concept art of Brasidas
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  Closeup of Brasidas
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  Brasidas at the Monger's warehouse
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  Closeup of Brasidas at the warehouse
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  Brasidas' personal shield

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
  • The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades (simulation only)
• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey novel