07-17-2007, 01:00 PM
I think it was a combination of things.
Leonidas was well aware of the Delphic prophecy concerning his own fate.
However, he was also, one assumes a pragmatic general and realised the successful retreat of the majority of Greek troops in the pass (to fight another day) was best assured by a rearguard action.
It was also perhaps a great way of letting rip in an absolute no-holds barred final battle with the invader. The Spartans did what they did best and in sacrificing 300 of their best (and their brave allies) they incurred serious numerical losses on Xerxes' horde. The latter may well have marched forward with some considerable foreboding based upon that experience. Plataia was to prove to them what they were really up against.
Leonidas was well aware of the Delphic prophecy concerning his own fate.
However, he was also, one assumes a pragmatic general and realised the successful retreat of the majority of Greek troops in the pass (to fight another day) was best assured by a rearguard action.
It was also perhaps a great way of letting rip in an absolute no-holds barred final battle with the invader. The Spartans did what they did best and in sacrificing 300 of their best (and their brave allies) they incurred serious numerical losses on Xerxes' horde. The latter may well have marched forward with some considerable foreboding based upon that experience. Plataia was to prove to them what they were really up against.
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Ghostmojo / Howard Johnston[/size]
![[Image: A-TTLGAvatar-1-1.jpg]](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/Ghostmojo/Argus%20-%20TTLG/A-TTLGAvatar-1-1.jpg)
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Xerxes - "What did the guy in the pass say?" ... Scout - "Μολὼν λαβέ my Lord - and he meant it!!!"[/size]
[size=75:2kpklzm3]Xerxes - "What did the guy in the pass say?" ... Scout - "Μολὼν λαβέ my Lord - and he meant it!!!"[/size]
