Codrus

Codrus (11th century B.C.) was the last king of Athens. He was the son of Melanthus, and sacrificed his life for his country in a war between the Athenians and Dorians. An oracle had declared - unlike the oracle in Scott's Lady of the Lake - that the blood of the Athenian king would ensure victory to his side. So Codrus entered the Dorian camp disguised, and was slain in a quarrel with some of the enemy's soldiers. The title of king was abolished by the Athenians, who thought no one fit to hold it after him.