Eurytus was one of the 300 Spartans led by king Leonidas in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Like most Spartans, he was primarily chosen because he had an heir, a son. Eurytus was not unlike any other Spartan of his time; he was brought up according to the Spartan tradition and was fiercely trained to fight. He had not seen any major battles against barbarians but was awaiting to fight for glory.
In 480 BC, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans joined no more than 7000 allies to block Xerxes’ immense army from passing through Thermopylae. As the battle came close to a beginning, Eurytus suffered an eye infection and was deemed incapable of fighting. Leonidas gave him two options: either return to Sparta or retreat to a nearby battlefield to recover. He opted for the second.
Drawing up significant losses and with Ephialtes’ betrayal, Leonidas saw a certain defeat. During the final day of battle, he dismissed as many allies as possible so that they could build a second wall of defence in the south. Leonidas and his 300 Spartans, along with a few remaining allies, would sacrifice themselves to fend off the rest of the Persian army in a historic last stand. News of this reached Eurytus who was still recovering in the nearby military camp. Still blind and unable to fight, he ordered his heilot to bring him his armour and guide him to battle on the side of his fellow Spartans. Despite having lost his sight, Eurytus fought along with Leonidas and the Spartans in a glorious final assault against Xerxes’ army.
In 480 BC Eurytus died on the battlefield along with his king, having defied his disability for the sake of his country and its people. He had never seen any major battles against barbarians and he never would, but his courage and philopatry that characterize this act of sacrifice mark him a timeless hero and figure of patriotism.
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