Thermopylae and the Ancient Sources
LISTENING FOR LEADERSHIP
You will be reading two different versions of the battle; Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus. Once again, we have two writers from different periods and with different styles, yet how similar are the Spartans, including Leonidas, to those from the readings on education and the warrior ethos? Do these Spartans uphold the ethos and values of their culture? Once again, consider the relationship between the leader and followers and how, context influences leadership.
For more on Leonidas's decision and the morale of his troops, see Simpson's article.
Readings
Herodotus, Book 7.101-end. (Reading Questions for Herodotus)
(Link to The Perseus Project and Herodotus, Book 7.100)
Diodorus Siculus 11.4-11.11 (Text of Diodorus)
Questions:
What type of leader was Leonidas – what decisions did he make as a leader and why did others follow him?
List Leonidas' character traits - which ones make him a good leader and why?
Thucydides compares the situation at Pylos to that at Thermoplyae – is this a fair comparison? Why or why not?
How does Diodorus' version differ from Herodotus's story? Is Leonidas different here?
Why have audiences, both ancient and modern, remembered Leonidas?
