Thermopylae

[DanM]

One of my favorite battles of intiquity! I've realised how much we exaderate about this. Most of us think that Leonidas was the best spartan in the battle, but read this, Herodotus Histories, book 7.226 "Such were the proofs of valour given by the Lacedemonians and Thespians; yet the Spartan Dienekes is said to have proved himself the best man of all, the same who, as they report, uttered this saying before they engaged battle with the Medes:--being informed by one of the men of Trachis that when the Barbarians discharged their arrows they obscured the light of the sun by the multitude of the arrows, so great was the number of their host, he was not dismayed by this, but making small account of the number of the Medes, he said that their guest from Trachis brought them very good news, for if the Medes obscured the light of the sun, the battle against them would be in the shade and not in the sun. " It's also amazing that so few spartans fought, but so many people from other polis fought!

[Ghostmojo]

Osprey are due to be releasing a Campaigns book about Thermopylai to continue their excellent series which includes Marathon, Cannae etc. I think it appears later on this year (November).

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_d ... CAM~per=40

Thermopylae 480 BC

[size=75:10l0yhfw](About this book. An authoritative re-telling of one of the greatest tales of heroism of all time and a decisive moment for the history of the world, Leonidas and the 300 Spartans' fight to the death against overwhelming Persian forces preserved the future of Greece and the golden age of classical civilization. Nic Fields vividly describes the battle for the pass of Thermopylae as the combined Greek forces held off the army of Xerxes, buying time for a retreat which would save Greece. Lavishly illustrated and with full-colour artwork, detailed maps and dramatic battle scenes, this is an in-depth analysis of one of the most famous acts of resolute defence in the face of overwhelming odds.)[/size]

Personally, I can't wait to see it.

I do wish that they would edit or compliment Sekunda's book "The Spartan Army" because it contains much that is debatable - especially the visuals and Neil Sekunda ([size=75:10l0yhfw]something of an apparent expert upon Sparta[/size]) doesn't even mention the 300 Hippeis!!!!!!!

Now that really is something of a serious omission. :? roll: :x

[hoplite14gr]

Osprey Marathon has too many assumptions in my opinion and I disagree with the positioning of the troops.
Spartan Army left a lot to be desired too,
They were designed for a mass audience who likes spectacular things.

Herodotus does not mention Dienekes as an officer.

Kind regards

[hoplite14gr]

I didn't know there was a monument to the Thespians :?

There is, but it is very small, compared to the Spartan monument. Here are a few of my pics:
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 23397c.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 409eeb.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 96170a.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 0093d8.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 13a83e.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 217ca6.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 717576.jpg
http://www.imageload.biz/image.html?fil ... 06ad0a.jpg

First to third link the statue of Leonidas made in 1953.
Fourth to last link the Thespian monument made in 1997 and presented on 5th April 1997 by the President of the Republic.
It represents HEROS son of Aphordity one of the patron daities of the Thespians.

Saddly from that date the official state has never done an official ceremony in the memory of the Heroes.
Only private individuals and non government groups remember them.

Kind regards