These sources have typically been excerpts and quotes from the 7th volume of the histories, which in part narrate the second persian war of 480 bce of which thermopylae. I have read three books on the battle of thermopylae, as it is one of my favourite battles in all of history. The narrative of thermopylae follows a pattern familiar from herodotus s other battle narratives and is, like so much in the. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of. In adapting the story of the great war to the taste of his own age ephoros. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. The battle of thermopylae can be dated with some accuracy. Learn thermopylae with free interactive flashcards.
Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae 233 but in fact does not state, a temporal relationship between the procession and the battle. Battle of thermopylae is a symbol of courage and patriotism. Do you really know how the area of the phocian wall looks like. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae bartleby. The name of it is gates of fire written by steven pressfield. Divided by later editors into nine books named after the muses, the history traces the growth of the persian empire, starting with croesus of lydia, though cyrus and xerxes. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under the athenian themistocles, met them by sea, most importantly at artemisium. Whats the best book youve read on the battle of thermopylae. In the book of esther, this battle and the persian war against the greeks, takes place between chapters 1 and 2 of the book. This gives cavaignac dates of 1618 october for the battle of thermopylae and 26 october for the battle of salamis, with the olympia culminating on 17 september. I know this book is fiction, but it is on the usmc commandants reading list, is taught to the corps of cadets at west point, annapo. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules.
Named polymnia after the greek muse of sacred poetry. Herodotus is the key primary source that i have been using to aid my study of this battle. The battle that changed the world reprint by a g leventis. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. In addition, the battle has been taught in military academies as an example of how a small welltrained group of resolute warriors can defend their position against a numerically superior force. Mar 18, 2007 300 artifacts from the reallife march 18, 2007 posted by grhomeboy in hellenic light americas, movies life.
Here we get the most bodacious recount of the battle of. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek index. Herodotus and the persian wars the second persian war 481479 bce xerxes drives his forces south the battle of thermopylae 480 bce. Greek casualties in the battle of thermopylae during 3 days could be up to 4000 dead soldiers or perhaps even more. Anecdotes illustrating the brave spirit of various spartans 22627.
Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae volume 26 issue 2 kenneth s. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. Herodotus was an extremely significant historian who lived during the 5th century b. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. An epilogue and three quite brilliant appendices which might simply have formed additional chapters in the book examine in particular the. I must say, this one is by far the best, and i would be. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae aftermath legio i lynx fulminata.
Leonidas, whose name means son of the lion, was one of the few spartan kings who went through the same education as other spartan boys. Gates of fire, by stephen pressfield, has the battle of thermopylae book vii as its. So the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. Battle in northern greece 480 bc in the persian wars. Discussion of primary sources the battle of thermopylae. Two spartans, eurytus and aristodemus, were in sick bay at battle time. A captivating guide to one of the greatest battles in ancient history. The battle of thermopylae has been an integral part of the curriculum of many high schools, colleges and universities around the world. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay the battle of thermopylae, which herodotus recorded in his writing the histories, was one of the most arduous and notable battles of western history. And yet, we come to that final line, which has been read as homoerotic in light of housmans own largely repressed homosexuality, but which housman took from herodotus.
No aspect of the thermopylae campaign has given rise to greater controversy than the size and composition of the army led by xerxes into greece. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. Thermopylae was a very narrow pass that would prevent the persians from using their cavalry in battle. The battle of thermopylae was the first between the persians and greeks during the persian invasion of 480479 bc. Choose from 282 different sets of thermopylae flashcards on quizlet. It took place in a narrow gorge, called thermopylae, where a group of 300 spartan hoplites died heroically, blocking a way to the persian army of the tsar xerxes i. Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. As herodotus claims in his account of the battle in book vii of the histories, the oracle at delphi had been proved right when she proclaimed that. Battle of thermopylae 480 bc myths vs reality total war. Herodotus and the persian wars utah state university. This activity presents the longest and most challenging reading assignment from herodotus. King leonidas of sparta and the battle at thermopylae.
Historical novels sourcing material from herodotus. The battle of thermopylae charles river editors on. The following is an excerpt from his book the battle of thermopylae. His accounts of the great battles of marathon and thermopylae, of salamis and plataea, retain to this day a matchless epic quality. Noel malcolm, the telegraph uk the real passion of thermopylae lies in the authors sudden discovery that his subject is exciting to other people again. Nor knee deep in the salt marsh, heaving a cutlass. Thus, by analyzing herodotus description of the battle of thermopylae, as well as millers and snyders versions. By the time leonidas arrived at thermopylae, he had more than 7,000 men contingents from various cities. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7. Theres an alternate version of what happened at the battle.
Thermopylae and herodotus wenxin zheng exchange student, nanjing university, china battle of thermopylae, which occurred ten years after the battle of marathon in the first bohemia war, is another famous historical clash between the persian empire and ancient greece. Sources battle of thermopylae 480 bc stories preschool. Leonidas and 300 spartans hold off the whole persian army thebes medizes xerxes captures and burns athens in. The battle that changed the world, by paul cartledge. The greek force was very small but was determined to make a stand against the huge persian army. The pivotal event of the history is the battle of marathon 490 bce, where the persians were defeated by the greeks.
Thermopylae and the book of esther associates for biblical research. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. Beloch, arguing for the former, believed that this was good evidence for dating the battle to 20 boedromion, which he equated with 24 september the. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. The encounter took place between greece and their allies thespians and thebans which were led by king leonidas, and the persian empire led by xerxes i. The 700 thespians it was on the third and final day of the battle of thermopylae that the remnants of the thespian contingent, while not the equivalent of the spartans in training, armor, weaponry and tactics, fought and died alongside the remaining spartiates to the bitter end. Flower skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. He is most well known for bravely leading a small force of greeks, including the famous 300 spartans, along with a few hundred thespians and thebans against the much larger persian army of xerxes, at the pass of thermopylae in 480 b. On the grave mound of 300 spartans immortalized at thermopylae in greece is this haunting inscription. The battle for the west by ernle bradford and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. King leonidas and 300 spartans against million persian army. Nov 30, 2017 so the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. The battle for the west is one of those greatly accessible, pleasantly reading, and yet academically meaty history books.
He was a young boy during the persian war, and interviewed greek veterans of the persian war to get the information he needed for his history. Battle of thermopylae in popular culture wikipedia. The following is an excerpt from his book the histories that describes the persian army at the battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae is one of the most memorable battles fought during the persian wars. This expedition against athens threatened all of greece. After three days resisting the much larger persian army of xerxes i, greek forces were betrayed by ephialtes and sent into retreat by their leader, leonidas, who died during a. An account of the persian war on greece, including the naval battle at salamis, the battle with athens at marathon, and with sparta at thermopylae paperback january 2, 2009. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. Information from its description page there is shown below. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass.
Sep 09, 2015 its almost certain that everyone reading this learned everything they known about the battle of thermopylae from the movie, 300 and thats okay, that movie was rad. John trikeriotis is a lecturer on ancient greek warfare and a member of the archaeological group, the leonidas expeditions. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. The edsitement launchpad includes links to maps and images of the soldiers and the terrain on which the battle was fought. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of thermopylae volume 48 issue 2 michael a. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. A masterful account of the causes, preparations for and consequences of the threeday battle in 480 b. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotuss depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. It involved tens of thousands of combatants, including the largest number of greeks ever brought together in a common cause. But, have you really seen the very ground where it took place. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae. The battle that changed the world cartledge, paul on. In the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic.
It is generally agreed that ephorus was diodorus source for books 1116 of his bibliotheke,s5 the invasion of xerxes being narrated within the first thirtyseven chapters of book 11. The greeks spartans and allies knew they were outnumbered and hadnt a prayer, so it was no surprise that the persians won the battle of thermopylae. Dont let the title fool you however as the scope of the book is not limited to just the battle of thermopylae. Frank miller and zack snyder depict the battle of thermopylae with more action and entertainment in their versions to appeal to a larger audience. Few history books since can compare for sheer drama with herodotuss narrative of the persian invasions of greece. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by pressfield, steven from amazons fiction books store. Forbes in the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic.
Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. There are also links to commentary on the battle of thermopylae. The first five books look into the past to try to explain the rise and fall of the. Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt. How herodotus might have come to know about the battle of. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae.
In 480 bc, at the battle of thermopylae literally, hot gates, a narrow coastal pass, the vast persian army, led by xerxes, attacked the allied greek forces, with the. Furthermore, cleombrotus saw that same eclipse, not when he was. After herodotus died, editors divided his histories into nine books. Quotation of verse inscriptions epitaphs from thermopylae 228. The battle of thermopylae is a battle in september 480 bc during the greekpersian war 480 479 bc. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and. It decisively ended the threat of a persian conquest of greece. Western civilization february 8, 2009 the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories the battle of thermopylae, which herodotus recorded in his writing the histories, was one of the most arduous and notable battles of western history. In the battle of plataea there were 5000 spartan hoplites and they had 35,000 helots 5 per each spartiate. Id wager almost as much time was spent on plateau, salamis and artemisium as thermopylae. Spartas last stance is one of the most important battles during the persian war and one of the great mysteries of ancient history. Nominally, xerxes expedition was directed against athens, but its real objective was the conquest of the whole of greece.
Having stated this at the beginning of the twentysecond logos, herodotus feels compelled to express an opinion which he knows to be unpopular. Herodotus was an ancient greek historian who lived in the 5th century bce. He chose to defend the narrowest part of the pass of thermopylae called the a. Herodotus does not mention the full moon, but its light was absolutely necessary for the persians to ascend the mountain path. This would give us 1500 300 x 5 helots at thermopylae, but ive seen estimations which say about 900 helots at thermopylae. First of all, there is much, much more to it than just being a firstclass, excellently written, exciting historical novel with superbly described battle scenes and what can only be described as a gripping and heroic story line.
Pharaoh, by boleslaw prus, incorporating the labyrinth scenes inspired by herodotus description in book ii of the histories. In 480 bc, a huge persianarmy, led by the inimitable king xerxes, ente. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. However, what a surprising number of people fail to realise is that, that movie and indeed most every other story about the battle is just the best guess of. He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae, but also of the whole war in which it took place. Summary of and commentary on herodotus histories, book 7 2015. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae. These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. Discusses all of the colorful quotes and legends about the battle but also analyzes what is historical fact and what is apocryphal fiction.
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