Leonidas' Last Stand
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3937922 |
|---|---|
| Authors | John R Grant (0000-0001-6592-8051, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1961 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 14 |
| Publication date | 1961-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Phoenix (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0031-8299 • E-ISSN: 1929-4883 |
| Publisher | JSTOR (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.2307/1085931 |
| OpenAlex | W2324167736 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 13 |
HOW AND WELLS state our question: The most difficult problem remains, what was the purpose of Leonidas in clinging to his position at Thermopylae when it had apparently become untenable.2 Many answers have been proposed. All, inevitably, given our imperfect knowledge of the circumstances, are exposed to criticism, none has commanded general assent. This diversity and lack of agreement leave the field open and justify still another suggestion, which may be in closer accord with the evidence. First, however, the principal theories should be reviewed as concisely as possible, though this may result in some unfairness to the ingenuity and persuasiveness of their authors. Herodotus was conscious of the problem. He tells us that when Hydarnes' encircling movement was reported soon after dawn on the final day, the Greeks held a conference at which opinion was divided, some insisting that they should not abandon their post, others opposing this view. Then the army divided; some departed and scattered to their several cities, others were ready to remain there with Leonidas (7. 219). He then quotes another report, that Leonidas dismissed them to save their lives, but that it was unseemly for him and his Spartans to abandon the post which they had come to guard. Herodotus attempts to reconcile the irreconcilable by stating that when Leonidas saw the allies fainthearted and unwilling to share the danger, he ordered them to withdraw, but for him to retreat was dishonourable, whereas if he remained he would win great glory for himself and enduring prosperity for Sparta. A Delphic oracle, predicting either destruction of Sparta or the loss of her king, is cited as furthering his resolve. Herodotus prefers this explanation, comprehending the realistic, the honourable, and the expedient
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| Unique citing works | 13 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,34 |
| Citation span | 1988 - 2024 (37) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 13 |