Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield
1/11/04
Gates of Fire tells the story of the point of view of a Squire for a platoon commander at the Greek Battle of Thermopylae against the Persians. The book starts by relaying the Squire’s life and how he came to be a Spartan squire. The rigors of training, the abuse that prepares men for the abuse of battle.
The book then recounts the battle where the Greeks held off the assault of hundreds of thousands of Persians with only 4000 soldiers. The book teaches leadership and attempts to explain why worriers do it. It also reminds us that the opposite of fear, is love.
Notes:
Dienekes, Platoon Commander, all of his life
Leonidas, King of Sparta
Polynikes, Commander, scout, etc.
Olympus, Commander
The battle of Thermopylae, Spartans of Lakedaemon
Dienekes showing leadership after a battle, the role of an officer:
“To prevent those under his command, at all stages of battle- before, during, and after- from becoming “possessed.” To free their valor when flagged and rein in their furry when it is threatened to take them out of hand.”
Dienekos teaches:
As all born, hw was primarily a student, he studied fear, and its opposite..
Leonides on leading men before departing:
Men will look to you, act as you do, don’t keep to your self, circulate, and let the men see you unafraid. When there is work, start first, finish last. Sleep among your men, keep men busy, talk turns to fear, action produces appetite for action.
Dinkens teaches that Spartans teaches fear conquers fear. (of exclusion from the pack, dishonor), but that rage, action out of fear.
When Domineche (Childhood “sister” leaves Xeo):
“Let neither of us pity the other,” my cousin spoke in parting; we are all where we must be and will do what we must.
Dinkens “fear is love”
Dinkens to men as the prep for final combat:
“Here is what you do, friends, forget country, forget wife and children and freedom. Forget every concept, however noble, that you imagine you fight for here today. Act for this alone, for the man who stands at your shoulder. He is everything and everything is contained within him. That’s all I know and that all I can tell you.”
Xeo explains what a kind is: One who endures with his men then respects the envy.
Dinkens reveals strength of women. When king tell why her husband and son were chosen to fight. Because she could handle it and set the example- “Those were the last tears of mine, my lord, that the sun will ever see”
