"Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World"

[floofthegoof]

Personally, I think that a strong case can be made for the thesis that Thermopylae was considered a big defeat, and that the re-interpretation started after Plataea.

I agree with this, there is almost no way they could have sorted out the story so quickly. All they knew was that Xerxes army was large. I bet most of the greeks, especially ones not entirely familiar with military matters, thought the Spartans and allies could handle it.

So, it is certainly possible that Herodotus' interpretation is correct, but he can not have based it on eyewitness reports. It must be treated as a legend. An inspiring legend, BTW.

Well, it could very well be based on eyewitnesses. There were lot's of witnesses on the persian side. This includes Thessalians, Macedonians, Medes, all of which H. would have access to later. In any case, like WWII it probably was the story of the day. Actually, H. does give one eyewitness account from the persian side later on, which I will search for... got it. This is just before Platea.
Herodotus\\n[quote]XVI. While the barbarians were engaged in this task, Attaginus son of Phrynon, a Theban, made great preparations and invited Mardonius with fifty who were the most notable of the Persians to be his guests at a banquet. They came as they were bidden; the dinner was held at Thebes. What follows was told me by Thersander of Orchomenus, one of the most notable men of that place. Thersander too (he said) was invited to this dinner, and fifty Thebans in addition. Attaginus made them sit, not each man by himself but on each couch a Persian and a Theban together. [2] Now as they were drinking together after dinner, the Persian who sat with him asked Thersander in the Greek tongue from what country he was. Thersander answered that he was from Orchomenus. Then said the Persian: “Since you have eaten at the board with me and drunk with me afterwards, I would like to leave a memorial of my belief, so that you yourself may have such knowledge as to take fitting counsel for your safety. [3] Do you see these Persians at the banquet and that host which we left encamped by the river side? In a little while you shall see but a small remnant left alive of all these.â€