Rhode
Rhode was a Messenian helot who lived during the 5th century BCE. She was the mother of Pebble and forced by the Order of Dominion to construct weapons for their army.
Sometime between 429 and 422 BCE, she was caught stealing bread for the children and sentenced to death after multiple recurrences. Before her execution could be carried out, the Spartan misthios Kassandra, who had come to Messenia tracking the Order of Dominion's activities, intervened and rescued her. In private, Kassandra revealed her intentions to kill the Order commander Harpagos, the architect of Rhode's grief, and Rhode entrusted her with her plan to smuggle Pebble and the other helot children to safety. Kassandra agreed, and they left to meet with the children and escort them to the docks. Harpagos intercepted them en route, but Kassandra killed him and his guards and the group continued on their way. At the docks, Rhode became hesitant and left the final choice up to Kassandra, who either sent the children out of Messenia or had them remain with their families. Regardless of her choice, Kassandra and Rhode spoke about the struggles parents face in the Greek world and agreed that they would always fight for their children.
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