Greek physician who, when captured by the Persians under Darius, gained great favor with Darius by his skill in curing the king and his queen, Atossa. He was kept a prisoner for a number of years, but succeeded in escaping by the aid of Atossa, who persuaded the king to send Democedes with a spying party to Greece; the party was captured and Democedes set free. His captivity was about 522 B.C.
