Standing at the Gates of Fire

Posted By Deebow

I was there last night, at the Hot Gates, where numbers count for nothing. 

"Remember that the Persian's most formidable weapons, his cavalry and his multitudes of slingers and archers, are rendered impotent here by the terrain.  That is why we chose this site.  The enemy can get no more than a dozen men at a time through the Narrows and mass no more than a thousand before the Wall.  We are four thousand.  We outnumber the enemy four to one."

Through the magic of reading I was there.  Yup, no movies, no interactive video games, just the magic of sheets of dead trees with ink on them.  My own personal contribution to deforestation and global warming.

Even though Gates of Fire is a fictional account that is told through the first person account of a squire named Xeones and how he came to be at Thermopylae during this most famous of last stands.  Much of what is said, albeit fictionally, would apply today as it did back then.

It is a an excellent chronicle of the battle and is well written.

"Brothers and Comrades," Leonidas addressed the Lakedaemonians clustered about him, "it appears that the Persian, despite our impressive showmanship, remains unconvinced of the prudence of packing his kit and embarking for home, after all.  Hear then, what I expect from each of you."

"You are the elect of Hellas, officers and commanders of the nation of Lakedaemon, chosen by the Isthmaian Congress to strike the first blow in defense of our homeland.  Remember that our allies will take their cue from you.  If you show fear, they will be afraid.  If you project courage, they will match it in kind..."

Like I was saying, this is an excellent treatise in leadership, the meaning of sacrifice, the friendship of men and the bonds between them in battle, and even a small piece for the ladies about how strong you are (but I won't spoil it for them). 

"When a warrior fights not for himself, but for his brothers, when his most passionately sought goal is neither glory nor his own life's preservation, but to spend his substance for them, his comrades, not to abandon them, not to prove unworthy of them, then his heart truly has achieved contempt for death, and with that he transcends himself and his actions touch the sublime.  This is why the true warrior cannot speak of battle, save to his brothers who have been there with him.  This truth is too holy, to sacred, for words.  I myself would not presume to give it speech, save here now, with you."

Could not have been said better my Spartan brother.....

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Standing at the Gates of Fire

I was there last night, at the Hot Gates, where numbers count for nothing. 

"Remember that the Persian's most formidable weapons, his cavalry and his multitudes of slingers and archers, are rendered impotent here by the terrain.  That is why we chose this site.  The enemy can get no more than a dozen men at a time through the Narrows and mass no more than a thousand before the Wall.  We are four thousand.  We outnumber the enemy four to one."

Through the magic of reading I was there.  Yup, no movies, no interactive video games, just the magic of sheets of dead trees with ink on them.  My own personal contribution to deforestation and global warming.

Even though Gates of Fire is a fictional account that is told through the first person account of a squire named Xeones and how he came to be at Thermopylae during this most famous of last stands.  Much of what is said, albeit fictionally, would apply today as it did back then.

It is a an excellent chronicle of the battle and is well written.

"Brothers and Comrades," Leonidas addressed the Lakedaemonians clustered about him, "it appears that the Persian, despite our impressive showmanship, remains unconvinced of the prudence of packing his kit and embarking for home, after all.  Hear then, what I expect from each of you."

"You are the elect of Hellas, officers and commanders of the nation of Lakedaemon, chosen by the Isthmaian Congress to strike the first blow in defense of our homeland.  Remember that our allies will take their cue from you.  If you show fear, they will be afraid.  If you project courage, they will match it in kind..."

Like I was saying, this is an excellent treatise in leadership, the meaning of sacrifice, the friendship of men and the bonds between them in battle, and even a small piece for the ladies about how strong you are (but I won't spoil it for them). 

"When a warrior fights not for himself, but for his brothers, when his most passionately sought goal is neither glory nor his own life's preservation, but to spend his substance for them, his comrades, not to abandon them, not to prove unworthy of them, then his heart truly has achieved contempt for death, and with that he transcends himself and his actions touch the sublime.  This is why the true warrior cannot speak of battle, save to his brothers who have been there with him.  This truth is too holy, to sacred, for words.  I myself would not presume to give it speech, save here now, with you."

Could not have been said better my Spartan brother.....

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