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[Jona Lendering]

true but Greek slaves had it better then the rest of the world did; they lived the lives of poor peasents. Greece's fight for freedom was much like America's fight for freedom. We had slaves at the time too. I have always seen the story of Thermopylae as a story of a few fighting the many. The few where willing to die for what they believed.

I'm at two thoughts here; but at least the story as told by Herodotus is a good one and continues to inspire. It tells that people can fail with honor. It also tells -and this is for me the inspiring part- that honor does matter.

Picking up a clue from Frances Fukuyama --he describes how modern men live for money; they are rational, democratic, despise war and violence - but they also feel little passion and lack idealism. These are the "last of men" living at "the end of history", because the great ideological debates are now over. But there used to be a time, not so long ago, in which people were not clinging to their lives and money, but were willing to risk everything for an ideal.

Probably this is irrational, but I can admire those people and take inspiration. The woman I love gave up everything and settled as a doctor in a Third World country. I wish I had Abertine's talents and courage.

Or, to make the same point with less philosophy: the exchange between Harmonica and Frank in Once Upon a Time in the West, discussing great businessman like railroad tycoon Morton:

Harmonica: So, you found out you're not a businessman after all.
Frank: Just a man.
Harmonica: An ancient race. Other Mortons will be along, and they'll kill it off.

I think Leonidas and Herodotus might have understood Harmonica and Frank, and Albertine, and I sympathize with their code of honor.