King Leonidas 'Bravery In Herodotus The Histories'

Herodotus' "The Histories" depicts the history of Greek civilization. Throughout this recount, many kings of many different states rise and fall like the waves of the ocean. The Persian army, led by kind Xerxes, attempted to conquer the lands of Greece and put an end to their prosperity. The Persians vastly outnumbered the Greeks, making a Greek defeat inevitable. However, the brave King Leonidas rallied his mightiest warriors and made one final stand against certain doom. The concept of bravery, and what drives men to these actions, is a complicated subject. While Leonidas' actions seem brave, others may deem them reckless; calling retreat or even surrender a more logical option. The reason Leonidas’ actions are considered brave is the motivation behind them. While his selfless motivation distinguishes his actions from being reckless, his vulnerability is a prerequisite to bravery. …show more content…
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