\'Gates of Fire\' By Steven Pressfield

[Polinik]

I am sorry but could you please clarify this to me,what you mean...As I don't have any knowledge who Victorian officers are.How did they behave?

One thing that seems to have been true of Spartiate society is that , as in many warrior cultures like the Samurai, they had what we would call "good manners". In a culture where all the adult men and to some extent the women are trained to kill, manners and outward displays of respect serve to stave off conflict. Young men are said to have passed by their elders with downcast eyes, and I'm sure you know the story about Spartans giving up their seat to those older- "All men know what to do, but only Spartans do it."

This is what I did not get from the book. His Spartans interacted like American GI's. Watch one of the iconic WWII movies like Guadalcanal Diary to see what I mean. Then watch the movie 'Zulu' and see how the officers, and particularly the Sergeant interact- as opposed to the inlisted men. It is very different. Comparisons such as this should not be taken too far, because Sparta was unique in history, but you can also watch a Samurai film to see the extremity of such a mannered society.

Oh,I understand now.Thank you..I agree also.Now I think about it,you have a point...