LCPL NGUYEN HUY T.

20160911

Gates of Fire Summary

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield is based off the historical battle of
Thermopylae in 480 B.C., the story of Leonidas and his 300 Spartans against
the Persian Army. Although the battle ended in the defeat of Sparta, the
strategy that Leonidas used against the Persians allowed them to survive
against an onslaught for six days. Originally the battle was recorded by
Xeones and gave the knowledge for Pressfield to write about. Throughout the
book, readers are able to learn from strategies when one is outnumbered, the
sacrifice that the Spartans gave in order to fight for what they believed in,
and the defense against Persian idealism to the Spartan Lifestyle.
Persians who were a large power at the time, were attempting to conquer
all in Europe by force, when Spartans who did not want to give up their own
freedom were challenged, war was declared between the two states. King
Leonidas the Warrior King, stood up against the Persians and gathered 300 of
his finest Spartans to defend against an attack of about 4000 of the Persian
Army. By using certain tactics and use of terrain, Sparta was able to hold off
and heavily damage the Persians for a relentless six days. Funneling the
Persians into a narrow path and using a drop off to the enemys rear, the
Spartans were able to pick off many of the numbers of Persian troops while
only sustaining very little death on his side. Though all seem to be doing
well, Leonidas knew that it was still a losing battle, he attempted to send
back his allies, however many of his allies chose to stay and fight with their
king, showing such deep devotion to their king and country. The Spartans
eventually get wiped out but not at the exchange of many of the Persians
lives.

Before the battle started, Leonidas talked to many of his Spartans that
he had commanded and asked who would fight with him. Instead of cowering and
turning away, many of the Spartans did not want to live under the oppressive
rule of the Persians. Showing such fortitude against the Persian lifestyle,
Spartans did not want to get rid of their freedom and their own democracy.
Sacrificing their own life so that their country could keep their own way of
life. Although later on as listed before, Leonidas allowed his allies to
return to their homes, but instead chose to stay and fight for their beliefs
and cause. Resiliency and devotion to their home allowed gave the Spartans an
upper hand in their morale.