Kratos was a wrestler from Hellas who fell into poverty and became enslaved. He was purchased and freed by Imriel de la Courcel (while Imriel still thought himself to be Leander Maignard) in Carthage during the events of Kushiel's Mercy. After being freed, he chose to stay with Imriel/Leander and accompany him to New Carthage and eventually to Imriel's home in Terre d'Ange. He was developed the plot to switch the ring Astegal wore (Imriel's ring given to him by Sidonie and stolen by Sunjata) with the fake ring made by Sunjata to break the curse over Sidonie.