when they had not retreated, he was enraged and sent the Medes against them, with orders to take them alive, and bring them into his presence. The battle lasted through the day. When the Medes were roughly handled, they retired; and the 5 Persians whom the King called "Immortals" took their places and advanced to the attack, thinking that they should easily settle the business. But when they engaged with the Greeks, they succeeded no better than the Medes, for they fought in a narrow space, and used shorter spears than the Greeks, and were unable 10 to avail themselves of their numbers. The Spartans fought memorably, so that when the Persians were unable to gain anything in their attempt on the pass, by attacking in every possible manner, they, too, retired. It is said that during the battle, the King, who was watching it, thrice sprang from his throne, because he 15 was alarmed for his army. On the following day the barbarians, believing that the Greeks were covered with wounds, and that they would not be able to raise their hands against them any more, renewed the contest. But the Greeks fought as desperately as before, and 20 when the Persians found nothing different from what they had seen on the preceding day, they retired again. While the King was in doubt what course to take in this state of affairs, Ephialtes, a Greek traitor, expecting that he would receive a great reward from the King, obtained an audi25 ence of him, and informed him of a secret path which led over the mountain to Thermopylae, by which the Persians could attack the Greeks from the rear. Xerxes immediately dispatched troops, guided by Ephialtes, along this path. The Persians marched all night. When morning appeared they were on the 80 summit of the mountain. At this part of the mountain a thousand heavy-armed Phocians kept guard to secure the pathway; for the Phocians had promised Leonidas to guard this secret path across the mountain. When the Phocians were attacked by the Persians and hit by many and thick-falling arrows, they fled, 35 supposing that the Persians had come expressly to attack them. The Persians, however, took no notice of the Phocians, but marched down the mountain with all speed. To the Greeks at Thermopylae there came certain deserters, who brought news that the Persians were marching over the 5 secret path to attack them in the rear. Upon this the Greeks held a consultation, and their opinions were divided; for some would not hear of abandoning their post, and others opposed that view. After this, some of them departed. Others prepared to remain there with Leonidas, but it is said that he sent them away, being 10 anxious that they should not perish. As for himself and his Spartans, he felt that they could not honorably desert the post which they originally came to defend. Xerxes poured out libations at sunrise; then after waiting a short time he began his attack about the time of full market, for 15 he had been so instructed by Ephialtes. The Persians with Xerxes advanced; and the Greeks with Leonidas marched out as if for certain death, advanced much farther than before into the wide part of the pass, and began the battle. Great numbers of the barbarians fell; for the officers behind had scourges and flogged 20 the men, constantly urging them forward. In consequence, many of them fell into the sea and perished, and many more were trampled alive under foot by one another. The Greeks, knowing that death awaited them at the hands of those who were going around the mountain, were desperate and, regardless of their 25 own lives, displayed the utmost possible valor against the barbarians. Finally, most of the javelins of the Greeks were broken, and they began to kill the Persians with their swords. In this part of the struggle fell Leonidas, fighting valiantly, and with him 30 other leaders of the Spartans. On the side of the Persians, also, many famous men were killed on this occasion. Two brothers of Xerxes fell at this spot, fighting for the body of Leonidas, and there was a violent struggle between the Persians and Spartans, until at last the Greeks rescued the body by their valor, and four 85 times repulsed the enemy. Thus the contest continued until the Persian army guided by Ephialtes came up. When the Greeks heard that this new enemy was approaching, they retreated to the narrow part of the pass. On this spot, while those who still had swords defended themselves with them, and those who had no 5 weapons fought with their hands and teeth, the barbarians overwhelmed and killed the Greeks with missiles, some attacking in front, and others attacking them on every side. In honor of the slain Spartans, who were buried on the spot where they fell, the following inscription was engraved: 10 "Stranger, go tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their commands." -Abridged. NOTES AND QUESTIONS Biographical and Historical Note. Herodotus (484?-425? B. C.) was a Greek historian, called "the father of history." In his youth he traveled not only in Greece but in foreign countries. Later in life, he wrote the history of the great Persian war of invasion, from Books VI and VII of which the story of Leonidas is taken. In the important facts of history, Herodotus is considered trustworthy, but he often enriches his story with imaginative pictures that somewhat color the exact truth, such as his reference to "the streams that failed because of their being drunk dry" by the great numbers of the Persian army. The Persian invasion of Greece was a dream of world conquest. The aim of the despotic Persians was to conquer Greece, the center of ancient learning and freedom, and extend their power throughout the whole of Europe. The undertaking was begun by King Darius, whom the Greeks defeated at Marathon. This disaster so increased the wrath of Darius that he began preparations on a vast scale to continue the war. He died, however, before he could carry out his plans, and his son Xerxes became king. After collecting a vast army and navy-the greatest the world had then known-Xerxes renewed the attack by both a land force and a fleet. The battle against Leonidas at Thermopylae followed, and was a temporary success for Xerxes, but he was later defeated by the Greeks and forced to abandon the war. Discussion. 1. What does the second paragraph on page 219 tell you about enemies of freedom? 2. What do you learn from this selection about the aims of Xerxes in the invasion of Greece? 3. What effect on our "inheritance of freedom" do you think the success of Xerxes would have produced? 4. Describe the place of defense chosen by Leonidas. 5. Compare the two armies in numbers and fighting ability. 6. Tell briefly the story of the battle. 7. What impression of the courage and skill of the Greeks do you gain from this selection? 8. What has your reading of the story of Leonidas done for your appreciation of our "inheritance of freedom"? 9. Leonidas lost his life in a vain effort to defeat the Persians. Do you think the battle was a complete failure for Greece? 10. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: best-appointed; exile; barbarian; repel; dispatch; Immortals; libation; Lacedaemonians. 11. Pronounce: morass; memorably; scourge. yoke of servitude, 223, 11 Phrases for Study virtue has been acquired, 224, 9 warded off tyranny, 224, 10 hazard their lives, 225, 26 avail themselves of their numbers, 226, 10 obtained an audience, 226, 24 abandoning their post, 227, 7 Outline for Testing Silent Reading. Make an outline to guide you in telling the story. ARNOLD WINKELRIED JAMES MONTGOMERY "Make way for liberty!" he cried- In arms the Austrian phalanx stood, Contended for their fatherland; Peasants, whose new-found strength had broke 10 From manly necks the ignoble yoke; Marshaled once more at freedom's call, They came to conquer or to fall. And now the work of life and death 5 Yet, while the Austrians held their ground, 15 It must not be; this day, this hour, 25 While each unto himself was he It did depend on one, indeed; Unmarked, he stood amid the throng, Till you might see, with sudden grace, |