Before i grabbed the book, i was the battle of thermopylae stood out as the worlds first and perhaps most famous last stand in the history of mankind. Yes, the famous battle is at the literal center of the book, but it occupies 4 short chapters, less than 25 pages. The battle of thermopylae is believed to have been fought in august 480 bc, during the persian wars 499 bc449 bc. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae nothing fires the warriors heart more with courage than to find himself and his comrades at the point of annihilation, at the brink of being routed and overrun, and then to dredge not merely from ones own bowels or. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae mass market paperback september 1, 1999. The persian heralds in athens were thrown into a pit, and their spartan brethren followed suit by tossing theirs into a well. Though this book is titled improperly, it is still an engaging reference for the entire war, and would serve as a good introduction for the student who is learning about the grecopersian war for the first time. Excluding the huge problems with the equipment for example spartans fighting with no armour or t. An account of the ancient battle between persia and the alliance of greek citystates, including the legendary 300 spartans. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1.
Some modern accounts seem to know exactly on what dates the battle fell, because herodotus says 7. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 bc, in which an outnumbered greek force probably of seven thousand including the famous 300 spartans, 500 warriors from tegea, 500 from mantinea, 120 from arcadian orchomenos, from the rest of arcadia, 200 from phlius, 80 from mycenae, 400 corinthians, 400 thebans, phocians and the opuntian locrians held off. They request assistance, so that they may stop xerxes at the northern border of greece. Thermopylae and the book of esther associates for biblical. Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more. These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. An impressively accessible narrative depicting the threeday battle for the pass at thermopylae the hot gatesa critical contest in xerxess massive invasion of.
Read the battle of thermopylae the heroic fall of leonidas i and the 300 spartans by 50 minutes available from rakuten kobo. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae 8601400142950. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. This activity presents the longest and most challenging reading assignment from herodotus. Thermopylae has long been thought of as a pivotal battle in the development of western culture. This confidence about the precise dating has lately been.
Get to grips with the events of the battle of thermopylae in next to no time with this. With such cinematic details, no wonder this sensational battle inspired the blockbuster film 300. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. This is a professional historians view of not just the battle of thermopylae itself, but the context of the greek and persian worlds it fit into. But the greeks, led by king leonidas and a small army of spartans, took the battle to the persians at thermopylae and halted their advance, almost. Noel malcolm, the telegraph uk the real passion of thermopylae lies in the authors sudden discovery that his subject is exciting to other people again. What is a good book on the second battle of thermopylae. The actionfilled movie 300 focused on ancient greeces epic battle of thermopylae, in which king leonidas led 300 spartans into battle against xerxes and his millionstrong persian forces. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae national bestseller an incredibly gripping, moving, and literate work of art, rarely does an. Thermopylae was a very narrow pass that would prevent the persians from using their cavalry in battle. Aug 02, 2016 made famous by the 1998 comic book and 2006 sword and sandal epic 300, the battle of thermopylae was the original against all odds conflict. After three days resisting the much larger persian army of xerxes i, greek forces were betrayed by ephialtes and sent into retreat by their leader, leonidas, who died during a final stand. The battle of thermopylae audiobook by captivating history.
After three days of holding their own against the persian king xerxes i and his vast southward. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Battle of thermopylae what was, backgrounds, summary. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. The battle that changed the world reprint by cartledge, paul isbn. The battle of thermopylae was the initial engagement between the persian empire and the confederation of greek citystates led by sparta during. Rise of an empire, the action moves to the sea, covering 10 years starting with the battle of marathon and ending with naval engagement. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae a thousand years from now leonidas declared, two thousand, three thousand years hence, men a hundred generations yet unborn may, for their private purposes, make journey to our country. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. This is my first book on the battle of thermopylae and i have to say, the author display strong authorship from the beginning till the end. The battle of thermopylae took place during the second medical war, when the greek polis led by sparta and athens decided to unite to confront the persian empire invasion of xerxes i. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece.
Herodotus puts the strength of xerxes army at around two. No aspect of the thermopylae campaign has given rise to greater controversy than the size and composition of the army led by xerxes into greece. The zack snyder film 300, released in 2006, depicts a sensationalized account of the battle of thermopylae, which was fought in 480 bc between persia, under the command of xerxes, and a contingent of greek soldiers led by the spartan king leonidas. Battle of thermopylae in the persian wars thoughtco. The battle of thermopylae 300 spartans and the forgotten citizensoldiers who fought with them by. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than. Battle the persian armys march to thermopylae had been delayed several days by the unexpected storm that caused significant damage to their fleet. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. Responding, an alliance of greek citystates, led by athens and sparta, assembled a fleet and an army to oppose the invaders.
Reallife history behind the persian battle in the movie 300. The battle of thermopylae the histories of herodotus. Nov 30, 2017 the british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. The name of it is gates of fire written by steven pressfield. In 480 bce, persian king xerxes led a massive invasion of greece. The greek army at thermopylae is very small compared to the over five million herodotus counts among the persians. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The battle of thermopylae audiobook by captivating. Battle of thermopylae novels set in ancient greece novels set in ancient persia doubleday publisher books cultural depictions of xerxes i.
Strictly speaking, it is not a book about thermopylae. Dec 05, 2015 the battle of thermopylae was the initial engagement between the persian empire and the confederation of greek citystates led by sparta during the second persian invasion of greece in 480 bc. Nominally, xerxes expedition was directed against athens, but its real objective was the conquest of the whole of greece. The battle that changed the world product category. The battle of thermopylae is filled with memorable anecdotes that have thrilled contemporary and later audiences. This book goes into detail about everything that has remotely anything to do with the greek and persian relationship leading up to the war and the battle between the two empires but does not cover in detail the actual battle of thermopylae in that great of detail. It is a brilliantly written and epic heroic tale of spartan life and the battle of.
Mar 15, 2019 herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. In the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic. Paul cartledges new book about thermopylae is subtitled the battle that changed the world, which might imply that he takes the same view. How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from. This book has definitely moved into my list of top 10 favorite books ever.
In 480 bc, a huge persianarmy, led by the inimitable king xerxes, ente. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae mass market paperback august 31, 1999. With the threat of persian despotism hanging over the greek citystates, a select few spartans fought. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules. Book 7, the battle of thermopylae summary course hero.
Bantam acclaimed bestselling historical novel set in ancient greece and culminating in the battle of thermopylae. Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. Following the retreat of allied forces from the mountain passes at olympus and servia, british commonwealth forces began to set up defensive positions at the coastal pass at thermopylae, famous for the battle of. The battle of thermopylae the histories of herodotus excerpt. Whats the best book youve read on the battle of thermopylae. The spartan attitude to war and deathespecially their calm attention to their appearance on the eve of battleshould have warned xerxes that he was biting off more than he could chew. Battle that occurred approximately 2,500 years ago which lasted only 7 days, of which 3 days were confrontations. The confrontation at thermopylae took place in the late summer of 480. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. Mar 12, 2019 the battle of thermopylae, fought between the greeks and the persians in 480 bce, has gone down in history as one of the most significant last stands of all time, despite the fact the hero, the greeks, walked away from this battle defeated and on the brink of complete destruction. Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt.
Battle for the west, acclaimed author ernle bradford covers the entire era of the invasionfrom the foundation of the persian empire to the accession of darius all the way to the final, bloody battlesin a fascinating and accessible look at warfare in ancient times. Thermopylae, the battle for the west is instead a good, concise recap of the grecopersian war. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. Having stated this at the beginning of the twentysecond logos, herodotus feels compelled to express an opinion which he knows to be unpopular.
Herodotus tells us about loyal thessalian envoys, who visit the council of the allied cities in the spring, when xerxes is still at the hellespont. This expedition against athens threatened all of greece. The extent of the greeks geographical knowledge of the world can be reconstructed from considering regions and places mentioned by contemporary authors. The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. I know this book is fiction, but it is on the usmc commandants reading list, is taught to the corps of cadets at west point, annapo. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae, on 2425 april 1941, was part of the german invasion of greece during world war ii. It is one of historys most acclaimed battles, one of. A critical point in this invasion was the battle for the pass at thermopylaehot gates. How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from its. Having been turned back at marathon in 490 bc, persian forces returned to greece ten years later to avenge their defeat and conquer the peninsula. Most people know about the battle of thermopylae, even if they dont recognize the name. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia.
But the greeks, led by leonidas and a small army of spartan warriors, took the battle to the persians and nearly. This book is about the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, where 300 spartans fought to the death. Explore the site of a battle at thermopylae, described by herodotus, and the subject of two 21st century movies. During the second persian invasion of greece, 300 spartans fought against xerxes is forces on a narrow mountain pass. Themistocles, general of the greek naval forces, sought to attack the persians before. To be fair, this book is exactly what the title sells it as.
The edsitement launchpad includes links to maps and images of the soldiers and the terrain on which the battle was fought. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. Battle of thermopylae, 480 bce, battle in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae during the persian wars. Understand how the geography of the area has changed, and consider how the retelling of stories leads to the writing of history. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. In 480 bc 200 spartan warriors face the invading persian army a massive force reputed to number over one million men. Other than the points already made in the other answers, the battle in the film also did a very poor job in capturing how both sides actually fought. It is also not a scholarly work with no footnotes and a slim bibliography. A novel on thermopylae, the 480 bc battle which went down in history as an example of heroism. Battle of thermopylae spartans vs persians youtube. Ephialtes and the battle of thermopylae 480 bc 1088 words 5 pages. The greek forces, mostly spartan, were led by leonidas. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven.
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