To overlook the role of Spartan culture in relation to their stand at Thermopylae would be to overlook one of the most influential aspects of the battle. Spartan culture was one of great complexity having many intricate characteristics, which adapted to the situations that they held witness to. Spartans were people of extreme patriotic pride and military prowess, who sought perfection in every form. But equal to their patriotism was their oppressive tactics towards their captives. Spartans weren’t people who believed in the concept of freedom.
For example, Spartan boys began their military training at the impressionable age of seven years old. These boys entered the ‘agoge’ system which not only instilled vigorous military training methods, but it also taught them strong hunting, and social skills that would help them during war periods. This proves to be significant because if the Spartans did not start training their warriors from a young age, they, like the Athenians, would eventually perish due to the lack of strength, fearlessness, and courage (Connoly). The extensive training of the Spartan men made what Sparta is known for today – a legendary war-machine. In addition to this, the city state of Athens also did not always have efficient war plans, or tactics.
It was important for them to be resourceful so they could find food and not starve if one day put in that situation. Self-discipline respect were also necessary to be taught because that also ties into being fit for battle. Although the Spartan educational system is seriously flawed because it discourages reading, foreign travel, and the theater (Document D). The Spartans saw these as distractions and threats to Spartan unity. Those who charge Sparta’s education with being too harsh, need to remember the heroic stand by Spartan warriors at Thermopylae.
He had performed tasks that were too arduous for the ‘common man’, but had also had shown some flaws. In this essay the previous questions will be answered. One must demonstrate bravery in order to be considered a hero. First, Odysseus clearly demonstrated bravery when he went off to fight in The Trojan War. He knew that he may have died, but he lead his men into battle anyway.
I think one of the main traits to be a good leader is if you save your men more than you get them killed. Odysseus has many encounters where it is life or death situations for his men. The first example of Odysseus being an effective leader or not was on the island of the cicones. Odysseus didn’t make much of an attempt to force his men to leave, who showed a lack of respect to the cicones’s island. This caused the cicones to retaliate and start a fight with Odysseus and his men.
The Spartans,as brave as their sacrifice indubitably was,were professional soldiers trained from birth to be ready to give their lives in combat as Spartan law dictated.Oppositly ,the Thespians were soldiers who chose to add whatever they could to the fight,rather than allow the Spartans to be destroyed alone. The fighting was said to have been extremely brutal.As their numbers diminished the Greeks retreated to small hill in the narrowest part of the pass.The Thebans took this opportunity to the Persians.After their spears broke the Spartans and Thespians kept fighting with short words and after those broke,they were said to have fought with their bare hands,teeth and nails. The Greeks killed many Persians,including two of Xerxes brothers.In this final stand,Leonidas was killed and the Spartans fought very hard to defend his boday.Xerxes in range at the loss of so many of his soldiers,ordered that the head be cut off and the body
They say that the Spartans had the best army in Greece; their bravery was legendary but actually just how good was the Spartan army? For the young Spartan boy it was a requirement to join the army and fight to defend their city. As a young boy the Spartans were trained up to become part of the great army. Those who did not have the wealth to afford a horse were expected to serve as foot soldiers. If they were wealthy enough they would have to pay for their own arms and armour and then they formed the heavily-armed infantry which drilled and prepared for battle as a unit.
With the Balance of Power destabilising, which, according to Thucydides, is the only means to achieve peace, the growth of power in Athens caused the Spartans to feel more and more insecure and thus they started to prepare to defend themselves. This very much reflects the realist point of view, as it argues that without a Balance of Power there can be no peace and it also shows how easily the balance can be dis-rupted so that it causes a war. Thucydides that war may be justified on grounds of pursuit of the national interest and in order to achieve peace at last. However, there are differences as to what is a ‘legitimate’ national interest. Where for political realism everything that is in the interest of the state and can be achieved by
A hero is someone who will risk his life to protect others. A hero is brave, courageous and strong. Yet a hero also has weaknesses. Odysseus is a hero that has to leave his family to fight in the Trojan War, he has a clever idea and with the help of a god, the war ended. However, he insults Poseidon because he didn’t say thanks to him.
During the age of classical Greece, there was an emergence of three heroic figures. Alexander the Great was a fierce leader who obtained many military achievements during his reign. His charismatic personality and tactical mind also helped him to become an outstanding political leader. Furthermore, he left behind a legacy that influenced the course of history and helped to shape the world today. He was also a more heroic leader than either Hannibal of Julius Caesar, due to their vicious and uninspired tactics.