He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae, but also of the whole war in which it took place. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. King leonidas of sparta and the battle at thermopylae. He was born at halicarnassus, a town in southwest asia minor now bodrum, turkey, probably in 484 bc. Why did pheidippides run the 26 miles and 385 yards or 42. The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle. Part of a complete english translation of herodotus. Herodotus notes that while xerxes ostensibly meant to punish athens, his real intent was to conquer all of greece. Herodotus was able to write this account of the grecopersian wars by traveling throughout greece.
The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and. The battle for impeachment, part i, which covered the books 1 of distinguished author and historian ernle bradfords masterpiece, thermopylae. Herodotus begins by placing his chosen subject of the graecopersian wars in. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of thermopylae. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and. In the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass. The greek army at thermopylae is very small compared to the over five million herodotus counts among the persians. His accounts were instrumental in this book and for the history of the spartan 300.
Some submitted to persia thinking they wouldnt get hurt. Herodotus simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The battle that changed the world cartledge, paul on. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules. The battle of thermopylae the histories of herodotus excerpt. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media.
Travels with herodotus by ryszard kapuscinski soldier of the mist and its subsequent novels by famed fantasy author gene wolfe. Two spartans, eurytus and aristodemus, were in sick bay at battle time. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. Why did leonidas and his 300 spartans spend the morning before the battle of thermopylae combing their hair. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Divided by later editors into nine books named after the muses. Having stated this at the beginning of the twentysecond logos, herodotus feels compelled to express an opinion which he knows to be unpopular. Salamis according to herodotus on feb 8, 2017 jul 5. There are also links to commentary on the battle of thermopylae. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote. This is what they intended, but the hellenes at thermopylae, when the persians. As herodotus claims in his account of the battle in book vii of the histories, the oracle at delphi had been proven right. 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. Flower skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites.
In 480 bce, persian king xerxes led a massive invasion of greece. Whats the best book youve read on the battle of thermopylae. So when xerxes men ordered their battle and advanced, the greeks remained in their. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. 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. Herodotus records the size and composition of the greek fleet271 ships in total. Nominally, xerxes expedition was directed against athens, but its real objective was the conquest of the whole of greece. Chapter summary for herodotuss histories, book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary.
The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. The battle for the west is one of those greatly accessible, pleasantly reading, and yet academically meaty history books. There was also the battle of thermopylae which is the basis of the extremely historically accurate 2006 movie 300. Furthermore, cleombrotus saw that same eclipse, not when he was. Spartas last stance is one of the most important battles during the persian war and one of the great mysteries of ancient history. Thermopylae is a mountain pass near the sea in northern greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most famous being that between persians and greeks in august 480 bce. The edsitement launchpad includes links to maps and images of the soldiers and the terrain on which the battle was fought.
In fact, i wouldnt be surprised if watching 300, a retelling of the battle of thermopylae in 486 bc, is perhaps the lengthiest encounter much of that movies audience has had with greek history. Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae volume 26 issue 2 kenneth s. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of thermopylae volume 48 issue 2 michael a. Dont let the title fool you however as the scope of the book is not limited to just the battle of thermopylae. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. Understand how the geography of the area has changed, and consider how the retelling of stories leads to the writing of history. It took place in a narrow gorge, called thermopylae, where a group of 300 spartan hoplites died heroically, blocking a way to the persian army of the tsar xerxes i. A wealthy lydian, pythius, offers xerxes his entire fortune for the war effort. Explore the site of a battle at thermopylae, described by herodotus, and the subject of two 21st century movies. The actual content of the book is beyond both the scope of this column and my patience, so here is an extremely abridged summary. They accordingly sent their advance guard, not expecting the war at thermopylae to be decided so. 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. It is generally agreed that ephorus was diodorus source for books 1116 of his bibliotheke,s5 the invasion of xerxes being narrated within the first thirtyseven chapters of book 11.
The following is an excerpt from his book the histories that describes the persian army at the battle of thermopylae. Simonides, ephorus, and herodotus on the battle of. The true story behind the 300 spartans battle of thermopylae books i to ix as want to read. While they all knew it was coming, they didnt see it in the same way. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. William golding, essay the hot gates in continuing my previous article, thermopylae. Gates of fire, by stephen pressfield, has the battle of thermopylae book vii as its centrepiece. Despite being greatly inferior in numbers, the greeks held the narrow pass for three days with spartan king leonidas fighting a lastditch defence with a small force of spartans and other greek hoplites. Quotation of verse inscriptions epitaphs from thermopylae 228. One can only wonder what the world would have been like if the nascent greek democracy and high classical. Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. Was the battle of salamis fought between sausagesellers. The extent of the greeks geographical knowledge of the world can be reconstructed from considering regions and places mentioned by contemporary authors.
Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free. He is most well known for bravely leading a small force of greeks, including the famous 300 spartans, along with a few hundred thespians and thebans against the much larger persian army of xerxes, at the pass of thermopylae in 480 b. Sources battle of thermopylae 480 bc stories preschool. The battle for the west, part ii will now cover the remaining books 1425. An account of the ancient battle between persia and the alliance of greek citystates, including the legendary 300 spartans. The battle of thermopylae was the initial engagement between the persian empire and the confederation of greek citystates led by sparta. The battle of thermopylae is a battle in september 480 bc during the greekpersian war 480 479 bc. Histories book 7 the battle of thermopylae summary. They request assistance, so that they may stop xerxes at the northern border of greece. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek, tr. He cannot deceive artaphrenes, who compares him to the maker of a shoe that aristagoras has put on. Named polymnia after the greek muse of sacred poetry.
The great battle of thermopylae and the valiant fight of 300 fearless. This activity presents the longest and most challenging reading assignment from herodotus. Thermopylae was a very narrow pass that would prevent the persians from using their cavalry in battle. Where would we be today without the recorded history of herodotus. Herodotus was an ancient greek historian who lived in the 5th century bce. The way of herodotus by justin marozzi history, particularly ancient history, isnt an american strong suit. When you get as far as the battle of salamis in book viii of herodotus, you cant help noticing that his account of the battle of salamis begins exactly along the same lines as the ones about thermopylae or the battle. Herodotus and the dating of the battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae, which herodotus recorded in his writing the histories, was one of the most arduous and notable battles of western history.
Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. A critical point in this invasion was the battle for the pass at thermopylae hot gates. 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. Anecdotes illustrating the brave spirit of various spartans 22627. The decision is taken to guard the pass of thermopylae instead 175.
This gives cavaignac dates of 1618 october for the battle of thermopylae and 26 october for the battle of salamis, with the olympia culminating on 17 september. The history of herodotus, parallel englishgreek index. Although scholars have hardly ever thought of herodotus as a great military historian, he has managed nonetheless to infuse many of his battle narratives with a profound sense of excitement and pathos simultaneously. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages.
Herodotus book also contains ethnographic descriptions of the peoples that the persians have. Herodotus the histories, book 7, polymnia 8239 battle of. 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. Id wager almost as much time was spent on plateau, salamis and artemisium as thermopylae which seemed odd given the title. Herodotus was called the father of history by cicero.