Gorgo (Greek: Γοργώ) (fl. 480 BC) was the daughter and the only child of Cleomenes I, King of Sparta (r. 520-490 BC) during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. She was the wife of King Leonidas I, Cleomenes' half-brother, who fought and died in the Battle of Thermopylae. Gorgo is noted as one of the few female historical figures actually named by Herodotus, and for her political acumen and wisdom. She is unique for being the daughter of a king of Spart...
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Gorgo (Greek: Γοργώ) (fl. 480 BC) was the daughter and the only child of Cleomenes I, King of Sparta (r. 520-490 BC) during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. She was the wife of King Leonidas I, Cleomenes' half-brother, who fought and died in the Battle of Thermopylae. Gorgo is noted as one of the few female historical figures actually named by Herodotus, and for her political acumen and wisdom. She is unique for being the daughter of a king of Sparta, the wife of another king of Sparta, and the mother of a third king of Sparta. Her birth date is uncertain, but is almost certain to have been between 510 and 506 BC, based on Herodotus dating (Histories, 5:51).
Her father Kleomenes (or Cleomenes) was the eldest-born son of the previous Agiad king, Anaxandridas II, and succeeded his father at his death; however, he had three paternal half-brothers, of whom the second, Dorieus, would cause him some trouble. The other two half-brothers were Leonidas I and Cleombrotus. All four were sons of...
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