Aristodemus, a Spartan warrior, was branded a coward yet fought for honor, becoming known as the only one of King Leonidas's 300 Spartans to survive the Battle of Thermopylae.
In 480 BC, at the famed Battle of Thermopylae, these 300 Spartans, alongside other Greeks, made their legendary stand against the massive Persian army, a defense where Spartans were expected to conquer or die.
During the conflict, Aristodemus and another Spartan, Eurytus, were struck by a severe eye infection, rendering them unfit for the final, brutal stages of the battle.
King Leonidas, seeing their incapacitating condition, reportedly ordered both men to withdraw from the fighting and return to Sparta.
While Eurytus, despite his ailment, chose to be led back into the fray by his helot and perished with his comrades, Aristodemus obeyed the order and made his way back to Sparta. 
Upon his return, instead of understanding or pity for his condition, Aristodemus was met with bitter scorn and crushing disgrace from his fellow Spartans.
He was branded a coward by his people. No one would speak to him or even share fire with him, a profound insult in their society.
This heavy shame weighed upon Aristodemus, who was determined to clear his name and prove his courage to his city-state.
His opportunity for redemption came a year later, in 479 BC, at the decisive Battle of Plataea, where the Greek forces confronted the Persians once more.
At Plataea, Aristodemus fought with ferocious bravery, reportedly charging headlong and recklessly into the enemy ranks, driven to erase the stain on his honor. 
He fell in battle that day, having demonstrated undeniable courage. Though some Spartans debated if his berserker-like fury truly fit the disciplined ideal of a Spartan warrior, his name was cleared of cowardice.
His actions at Plataea ensured he was no longer remembered as the coward of Thermopylae, but as a Spartan who ultimately died bravely for Greece.
Sources: Herodotus' Histories, Wikipedia, GreekReporter #SpartanLegacy #CourageInBattle #HistoryHeroes
