The Lacedaemonians, known for their strength in battle, arrived at Samos with a powerful army. Immediately, they began to lay siege to the city. Their goal was to capture the island and overcome its defenders. The Samian people, along with hired mercenaries, prepared to defend their homes and walls from the attack Private Sofia Tours.
First Assault on the Walls
During one of the attacks, the Lacedaemonians managed to reach the top of a tower near the sea, located close to the city’s suburb. This gave them a dangerous advantage. But Polycrates, the leader of Samos, acted quickly. He gathered a strong force and personally led the counterattack. With courage and skill, he pushed the Lacedaemonians back, defending the tower and keeping the city from being taken at that moment.
Fighting at the Upper Tower
While the battle was raging at the lower tower, the defenders at the upper tower, located on the ridge of the hill, launched a sally. Both Samian citizens and mercenaries fought bravely to push the Lacedaemonians away. However, their resistance was short-lived. The Lacedaemonians pressed forward, and many of the Samian defenders were killed as they fled.
Heroic Sacrifice of Archias and Lycopas
The outcome of the siege might have been very different if all the Lacedaemonians had fought as bravely as Archias and Lycopas, two of their soldiers. These two men followed the retreating Samian defenders closely and entered the city along with them. Unfortunately, they became isolated inside the walls, with no way to retreat, and were killed there. Their courage was extraordinary, even though it ended in their deaths Periander’s Struggle with Age and Succession.
Legacy of Archias
I once met the grandson of Archias, also named Archias, who was the son of a man named Samius. He lived in Pitana, the region to which he belonged. This younger Archias greatly respected the people of Samos, more than any other foreigners. He explained that his father was called Samius because Archias, his grandfather, had died heroically in Samos. The Samian people had honored Archias with a public burial, showing their respect for his bravery. This act of honor left a lasting impression on his family and strengthened the bond between them and Samos.
The siege of Samos was a fierce and tragic event. The city faced a strong enemy, and while many fought with courage, only a few like Archias and Lycopas showed extraordinary heroism. Their sacrifice, remembered by both their family and the Samian people, highlighted the courage and tragedy of war in the ancient world.
