| Demophilus | |
| Native Name: | Δημόφιλος |
| Death Date: | 480 BC |
| Birth Place: | Thespiae |
| Death Place: | Thermopylae |
| Allegiance: | Thespiae |
| Religion: | Ancient Greek religion |
| Rank: | Commander |
| Memorials: | At Thermopylae and Thespiae |
| Relations: | Diadromes (father) |
Demophilus (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Δημόφιλος Demophilos), according to Herodotus, was the commander of a contingent of 700 Thespians at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC). His father was Diadromes (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Διαδρόμης).[1]
Demophilus and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along with the 300 Spartans at the last stand, all were killed.[2] The ancient Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias also wrote about the stay of the Thespians at Thermopylae together with the Spartans.[3]
After the Battle of Thermopylae, the Persian army burned down the city of Thespiae. The citizens had fled to the Peloponnese.[4] Later, the Thespians fought against the Persian army at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC).[5]
Demophilos is immortalised in many books and movies. In the 1962 movie The 300 Spartans, Demophilus was portrayed by the Greek actor Yorgos (George) Moutsios.[6]
In Thermopylae there is a monument, next to the monument of Leonidas, in memory of him and his men. There is also a monument to Demophilus in the modern Thespies.