Xeones is the novel’s protagonist. He is a native of Astakos, a minor city in the west of Greece that is sacked by the Argives, their erstwhile allies, when he is 10. Despite his desire for his cousin Diomache, he separates from her to journey to Sparta. He has heard tales of the martial exploits of the Spartans and hopes that they can provide a means of getting revenge on the Argies.

Even though he was only a child, he feels guilt at having survived the sack of his home city and wishes to become a warrior so that he will never be victimized in that way again. Childhood injuries to his palms, however, mean that he cannot grip a shield and stand in a line of battle. When attempting to die by exposure because he feels so useless, Xeones receives a vision of the god Apollo. From then on, Xeones believes that Apollo has selected him for a special destiny and, at the god’s prompting, adopts the Thessalian bow as his weapon of choice, as he can still draw a bowstring, despite his mangled hands.

Xeones is extremely loyal and turns down multiple opportunities to save his own life if it means abandoning his comrades in arms.