An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by pressfield, steven from amazons fiction books store. Test your understanding of the battle at thermopylae, a legendary episode in the ancient persiangreco wars, with an interactive quiz and printable. As herodotus claims in his account of the battle in book vii of the histories, the oracle at delphi had been proved right when she proclaimed that. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. I am a teacher whose love of history began with a highschool western civilization class. A fun and wellwritten, but horribly dated book on the entire second persian invasion. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. So the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. 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.
Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. Persians under xerxes had both a land and a sea force with which they attempted to defeat those greeks who wouldnt willingly accept persian domination, as many greek citystates had already done. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more. Yes, the famous battle is at the literal center of the book, but it occupies 4 short chapters, less than 25 pages. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. Finnuci, began his first class with a vivid description of the battle of thermopylae. However, it was only of at least eight different battles or skirmishes fought in that general area. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. This book more than any other book, by far is the best read in a historical novel i have ever read.
It is also not a scholarly work with no footnotes and a slim bibliography. The name of it is gates of fire written by steven pressfield. 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. Battle of plataea 479 bc and battle of sphacteria 425 bc duration. Let us try to sift some of the facts from fiction, and have a gander at the historical. The battle for the west by ernle bradford goodreads. 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. Renowned classical historian paul cartledge looks anew. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. The term battle of thermopylae is generally accepted to refer to the fight which involved king leonidas and the other greek allies facing off against xerxes and the persians.
A captivating guide to one of the greatest battles in ancient history. View battle of thermopylae research papers on academia. Forbes in the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic. It is one of historys most acclaimed battles, one of civilizations greatest last stands. Strictly speaking, it is not a book about thermopylae. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. 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. In fact, the conflict has been plausibly described as the very axis of world history. Excellent description of the battle of thermopylae and the other military. Whats the best book youve read 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.