Presfiled's Gates of Fire

¶ … great warrior civilizations of antiquity the name "Spartan" invariably arises. Stephen Pressfield in the impressive novel "Gates of Fire" stirringly resurrects these ancient warriors and their society. Describe the General Storyline of this book. As the book begins, a captured Spartan squire named Xeones (the sole survivor of the last stand at Thermopylae) is recounting the compelling story of the 300 Spartans who fought to their death at Thermopylae to the Persian King.

Xeones's narrative does not restrict itself to just an accounting of the battle but also reflects the trials experienced in his own life, the day-to-day life of Spartan society, and the humanity, compassion, and grief of his fallen brothers in arms. How does Pressfield present the Spartans and their Society? What attributes Characteristics) does he claim that the Spartans exhibited. How did the other Greeks perceive the Spartans? Pressfield, obvious from the outset of the accounting, justly feels that the Spartans were respected among the other city-states of Greece.

After Xeones hometown is sacked by a neighboring state a survivor laments, "We needed Spartans.. just fifty would have saved the city" (24) The view that the Spartans were undoubtedly thought of as disciplined, courageous, and stalwart (35) by all of Greece was not lost on the Spartans themselves. Their society thrived on the fact that they were viewed with the highest esteem by the rest of Greece and soon the world.

(373) How is Spartan family life portrayed? What is the role of women in this society and what is their status? Pressfield offers that it is the family life of the Spartans that held the society together. The Fathers are shown as loving caring mentors to the younger generations, devoted to their wives. The constant undercurrent of war forced families to cherish the moments that they did have. (170) Xeones, while speaking to the King, describes the last familial moments before the Spartans advance to Thermopylae in exquisite detail.

(203) Especially poignant is the farewell of Dienekes to his wife Artemis. " Arte he embraced one time, setting his cheek against her neck, to smell the scent of her hair for the last time" (203) The women were shown to be the real strength behind the greatness of Sparta.

In fact the reason the 300 men who fought at Thermopylae were chosen was "because of the valor of their women." (372) The women of Sparta were able to sacrifice the comfort of having a husband, son, father or brother by their side for the common good a preservation of the nation. (372) The sacrifice of the women troops at home allowed the Spartans to concentrate on the business of war.

According to Pressfield, why were the Spartans so effective in warfare? The Spartans were so effective in their battles because of the strict regimentation of their training., and the dedication of the troops to the common cause. (353) Personal desires were secondary to the preservation of the unit. Things had to be done the same way every time without fail or disorder would creep in among the ranks. (266) Drills were conducted without end stressing uniformity. Individual thinking was discouraged.

What is your impression of the main character in this story? Who do you most admire and why? The main character of the story, Xeones seems to be possessed by the ideals of Spartan life. (41) Throughout his tale he remains fiercely loyal to his adopted nation, even to the point of death. (350) From the examples of the Spartans close to him (Dienekes, Alexandro, King Leonidas, Polynikes, Suicide, Olympieus...), Xeones sees everything he admires and dislikes about War. He learns most from his Peer (Officer he is assigned to) Dienekes.

Dienekes is one of the most admirable characters in the book. He mixes compassion with sternest and conviction. Dienekes plays the mentor and the philosopher to the young men, pondering what the opposite of fear is. Before he perishes the answer to the question is found, "the opposite of fear is love." (333) At this point in the book, the Persians are completely enthralled with the story.

How are the Persians presented in this story? The Persians listening to the story are not presented as mindless Barbarians but as men of refinement and tenacity. They seem to hold the Spartans in very high regard. The King himself is deeply sorrowful about ordering the desecration of Leonidas's body after he hears the squire's depiction of him and the respect garnered to him by the Spartans. What aspect of the battle scene did you find most memorable.