User:Cjshih35/Gorgo, Queen of Sparta

Gorgo (/ˈɡɔːrɡoʊ/; Greek: Γοργώ [ɡorɡɔ͜ɔ́]; fl. 480 BC) was a Queen of Sparta. She was the daughter and the only known 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 was also the mother of King Pleistarchus, her only son with King Leonidas I. She is also noted as one of the few female historical figures actually named by Herodotus, and was known for her political judgment and wisdom. Her birth date is uncertain, but based on Herodotus' dating, it is estimated to have been between 518 and 508 BC (Histories 5.51).

Her father, Cleomenes, was the eldest-born son of the previous Agiad king, Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his father after his death; however, he had three paternal half-brothers, of whom the eldest, Dorieus, would cause him some trouble. The other two half-brothers were Leonidas I and Cleombrotus. All four were sons of Anaxandridas II, one of the dual kings of Sparta of the Agiad house.