While others ran in terror at the sight of the mighty Persian army, Leonidas rallied troops and faced them head on (97). In the face of death, Leonidas commanded that all other Greek soldiers retreat back to their home while Leonidas, and the Spartan three hundred, continued to fight. The narrator of the text claims: "Leonidas could not draw back with honor; knowing that, if he had stayed, glory awaited him, and that Sparta, in that case, would not lose her prosperity (99)" This referenced the oracle's prophecy that stated that in order for Sparta to survive the Persian army, a Spartan king must die (99). This Spartan King was motivated to face certain death to save the rest of his country; proving to be the pinnacle of
While others ran in terror at the sight of the mighty Persian army, Leonidas rallied troops and faced them head on (97). In the face of death, Leonidas commanded that all other Greek soldiers retreat back to their home while Leonidas, and the Spartan three hundred, continued to fight. The narrator of the text claims: "Leonidas could not draw back with honor; knowing that, if he had stayed, glory awaited him, and that Sparta, in that case, would not lose her prosperity (99)" This referenced the oracle's prophecy that stated that in order for Sparta to survive the Persian army, a Spartan king must die (99). This Spartan King was motivated to face certain death to save the rest of his country; proving to be the pinnacle of