Cineas (Athenian)

Cineas (Ancient Greek: Κινέας) was an Athenian who fought at the Battle of Mantinea (362 BC). His brother was named Demetrius (Δημήτριος) and was killed during the battle.[1][2]

Polyaenus in his Stratagems mention that after the battle, in which both sides claimed victory, the Mantineians wanted to send heralds to the Thebans, in order to make an agreement about carrying off the dead. But Cineas was against such an agreement. He said that he preferred to leave his brother without a burial than surrender the honor of victory to the enemy. He also added that his brother sacrificed to prevent the enemy from erecting trophies to the disgrace of himself and his country.[1][2] After his speech the Mantineians decided that they would not sent any herald to the Thebans.[1][2]