Aretha the Dragon-Skinned (died 426 BC) was a Greek mercenary who was active during the Peloponnesian War. She was killed in battle in Boeotia in 426 BC while serving as the Athenian army's champion in the concluding battle of the Boeotia campaign.
Biography[]
It's said Aretha the Dragon-Skinned was stabbed, lit aflame, and shot repeatedly with arrows, but never failed to laugh it off. Like a proud parent, she carried her scars and would happily spend all night regaling with anyone who would listen with the stories of how she got them.
In 426 BC, she was hired by Athens to serve as its army's champion for the decisive battle of Sparta's Boeotia campaign, and she came face-to-face with the rival mercenary Kassandra on the battlefield. Kassandra fought hard against Aretha and ultimately ran her through the chest with her spear, killing her.
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