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George sarris
It is the spring of 480 BC. C. and the 39-year-old king of Persia and pharaoh of Egypt, Xerxes I, has just entered the Greek lands with his great army from the Straits of the Hellespont. Wherever he passes on the way to Athens, he spreads terror. Never before have people seen such a large army.
The historian Herodotus speaks of 2,600,000 men and auxiliary bodies, but the number seems excessive. The ancient writer Ktisias Cnidius claims that they fell about 800,000, while modern scholars estimate them at 70,000 – 300,000. But even if there were so many, they certainly seem sufficient for the measurements of the time.
The choice of the defense line in the Thermopylae pass
The Greek army, meanwhile, is heading towards Thermopylae with 300 hoplites selected under the King of Sparta, Leonidas. Along the way, 1,000 Phocians, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans, Tegeans, Corinthians, Mantineans, Mycenaeans, Helots and various other allies will be added, a total of about 7,000 men. But the story has focused on the 300 legendary Spartans chosen by Leonidas based on the inexhaustible militancy that distinguished them and the fact that they had all had children, to continue their careers in case they were killed.
Leonidas’ goal is to establish a defense line in the narrow passage along the shores of the Gulf of Malia, from where only one tank could pass at a time to significantly mitigate the opponent’s numerical superiority. By the way, today this passage is no longer near the sea, but it has moved a few kilometers further due to the flood of the Sperchios River. In essence, this is now the point from which the area is dominated, the imposing statue of Leonidas.
How 300 Became 299 Due to Illness
Of the 300 selected Spartans, two will be infected by eye during the multi-day trip to Thermopylae, a very serious disease that causes inflammation in the eye and leads to blindness. Leonidas, who sees their situation, orders them to return immediately if they wish. Spartaas they were visibly unable to assist in the battle that would follow.
The great historian and traveler, Herodotus, has also given us the names of the soldiers who fell ill: Aristodemus and Evrytos. The first, suffering from pain, returns home. Evrytos, however, grits his teeth and declares that he will continue for as long as he can. Since he was little he had been trained to launch himself into battle and now that he was given the opportunity he did not want to miss it.
The relentless battle
When the army of Xerxes arrives at Thermopylae and faces the few Greeks, it demands the immediate surrender of its weapons, since any conflict would be useless and the result would be doomed to failure. But not only do they cry, but they also mockingly reply “take the mole” (“come find them”). The relentless battle begins on August 7 or September 8, 480 BC. C. (Historical sources differ as to the exact date).
The invaders soon discover that they cannot fight together in the strait. Those who try are immediately killed. It is said that the first day of the battle o XenophyteSeeing how the Greek allied army slaughtered the Medes, he rose three times from the throne he had installed at a safe distance to observe what was happening. The Spartans withdrew, the Persians withdrew into the strait, and the result was that hundreds were killed in the first twenty-four hours.
The nightmare betrays the unknown path
On the second day the scene is repeated and Xerxes is forced to make a temporary withdrawal when he realizes that if this situation continues, he will lose his army before reaching Athens. He retires to the scene to meet the generals. Will get you out of the difficult position Nightmare, a local who knew the area well. For a fee, he tells the enemy the way to meet behind the Greeks from another path, behind Mount Kallidromo. By his choice, he will pass very soon in Greek and world history as the model of the traitor.
Early on the third day, and after all night the best-trained Persian guards, also known as the “Immortals,” followed the path unknown to them from which the Nightmare had led them, beating up the now surrounded Greeks who would soon suffer. significant losses. . Leonidas orders the hoplites of the allied Greek cities to retreat to build a new and stronger defense line further south. Thus, the 300 of Leonidas will remain (specifically 299 from the moment Aristódem left) to give the last battle together with the men of the regions, that is, the 700 Thespians and the 400 Thebans.
Evrytos fights seeing only shadows
Upon learning of the circular movement of the Persians, the almost blind Evrytos asks the helot he had with him to prepare the armor and bring it to the “fire” of war. In fact, the slave takes him to the battlefield and as soon as he lets go of his hand, he hurriedly leaves. Evrytos, seeing only shadows approaching him, fought bravely, defying death. Although he had the opportunity to escape, he did not. He wanted to defend the ideals with which he was nurtured, leaving his last breath with his king like the other Spartan comrades in arms.
Aristodemus lives in contempt
But what happened to Aristodemus who came back with an eye problem and didn’t fight? Herodotus mentions in Book VII (“Polymnia”) that “Aristodemus, as he lacked courage, saved his life. Now, and in the event that only he felt pain and returned to Sparta, or in the event that both ( ss he and Evrytos) were transferred there, I have the opinion that the Spartans would not demonstrate. There is no rage against them, but now that one of them was killed, while the other, having the same reason for acquittal, did not prefer to die It couldn’t be done until they let their rage explode in Aristodemus. “
How the shame was finally washed away
The historian claims that Aristodemus lived in shame and contempt. No Spartan allowed him to light his fire, nor did he converse with him. Wherever he went he was ridiculed, since they gave him the name “Aristodemos el Kiotis”, that is, he who commits, is shy in the face of danger. However, a year later, in August 479 BC. C. “He washed away the guilt that was imputed to him and recovered his honor”, as Herodotus characteristically says, although his vision problem had not been corrected, he participated in the second Persian invasion of the victorious battle of Plataea and fought bravely .
Finally, the ancient historian mentions that another of the 300 from Leonidas survived, because a messenger had been sent to Thessaly. According to Herodotus, his name was Pantitis. However, “with the fact that he also returned to Sparta, he fell into disrepute and was therefore hanged.”
* HE George sarris is a journalist – member of ESIEA, distinguished by the President of the Republic with the Ath Award. Botsis for the objective and comprehensive presentation of historical political issues.
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