Courage, bravery, leadership, and dedication are only a few of the great attributes shown by King Leonidas of Ancient Sparta. Leonidas was King of Sparta for only a short amount of time, but in that time ensured himself a legacy that will never be forgotten. In Leonidas’ life he did many things but, the most diligent and respected action was the stand he took at the Battle of Thermopylae along with 300 other warriors. Leonidas is one of the most widely known leaders of the ancient world and will never be forgotten for the bravery and discipline he demonstrated in his self sacrifice at the Battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas’ background is very interesting, considering what his name means and who is in his lineage. A very long time ago in Ancient Sparta the young warrior ,Leonidas, was born specifically in the year, “510 B.C.E” and sadly met his tragic death on “August 20, 480 B.C.E” (“Leonidas 487). Leonidas’ name suited him well because his name meant “lion-like” and, he put that name to the test in his eight years ruling as King from “488 B.C. to 480 B.C.” (“Biography King Leonidas”). Leonidas was set up for his Kingship because his dad was also a King. His name was “King Anaxandridas II” (Biography King Leonidas”). This put a lot of pressure on him to live up to his father’s name and make him proud. Leonidas’ known family besides his father consists of his “half brother, Cleomenes I” who was birthed by the “second wife” of King Anaxandridas II (“Biography King Leonidas”).
Sparta was once one of the most important Greek city-states throughout Greece, famous for their military lifestyle. When you think of a Spartan warrior, you vision a man with huge muscles, red cloaks, long hair, and sharp swords. Spartan warriors were the best and feared fighters in Greece, they spend their whole lives learning new fighting techniques and serving their home, Sparta. At around six or seven years old, young boys would be taken from their homes to be trained as Spartan warriors.
Pausanias (d.c.470-465) was a controversial Spartan who commanded the victorious Greek army at Plataea, but who was later accused of treason and executed in Sparta. Pausanias son of Cleombrotus was a member of the Agiad royal family. He was a son of King Cleombrotus I and nephew of the famous King Leonidas. After Leonidas was killed at Thermopylae in 480, Pausanias became regent for his young son. In 479 Pausanias commanded the Greek army that defeated the Persians at Plataea, effectively ending the Persian threat to mainland Greece (Greco-Persian Wars).
Odysseus is a great leader who demonstrates the greatness of sacrifice, the love of being honorable, and the gifts for being
As a boy, Alexander was tortured by the famous philosopher Aristotle. Alexander the Great was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, he lived from 356 BC to 323 BC and was born in the capital of Macedonia, Pella. In 336 BC Philip II of Macedonia, Alexander's father was assassinated, and Alexander inherited the throne. In what ways did Alexander the Great leave his mark on history and how did his accomplishments contribute to his legacy? One reason that Alexander was great was his military strategies.
Alexander the Great, Hero or Villain? Alexander the Great was a major world conquerer, who controlled over 22 million square miles of land by the end of his journey. He was born in Macedonia as Philip II’s son in 356 BC and became king of Macedonia when he turned 20, after his fathers death. When he was king first he ended the Theban revolt and enslaved all the people to set an example for what would happen if you rebelled against Alexander. Then he set out to conquer the rest of the world until his death in 323 BC.
At the young age of 20 Alexander took over his fathers kingdom and went on to conquer over 2,000,000 square miles of land. Alexander was born in 356 BCE in the Macedonia kingdom, his parents were King Philip and Olympia. From when he was little Aristotle was giving him private lessons on politics, sports, and warfare. After his father shared his dreams of conquering Persia he was assassinated in 336 BCE. Alexander took rule over the kingdom and lead the army.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, however, what gives someone the title of a good or bad is decided by the decisions they make and how those decisions affect others. Odysseus led the squadron of soldiers in the trojan horse and is a hero of the Trojan War and the king of Ithaca. Consequently, this gives him experience when it comes acting in difficult situations. This experience should guide him to choose correctly when being put in a tight spot.
He considered it the best place for defence, as he expected that the narrow pass would funnel the Persian army toward his force. Leonidas specifically chose his Spartan army so no bloodlines would be lost, "The [...] men whom he brought [...] to Thermopylae were chosen by himself, all fathers of living sons." (Herodotus.page.487) This shows his forward-thinking and strategic mind. On arrival at Thermopylae, Leonidas heard about a mountain pass and subsequently sent 1000 Phocian troops there.
Alexander of Macedonia inherited the throne when he was only 20 years old. His father, Philip of Macedonia built the Macedonian army into a deadly machine. When Alexander was on the throne, he set out to conquer Persia, which was at that time, the most powerful kingdom. He, Alexander the Third of Macedonia should be called Alexander the Great is because he had a big influence on the world, had genius battle strategies, and because he was respectful.
Cleomenes was a man of power in the Spartan society ruling the land with his co-king until upholding the spartan mirage and the accusations from his people lead to the madness that took his life. Being part of a dual kingship allowed one king to serve as a commander-in-chief of armed forces and the other to supervise domestic affairs. The separated duties resulting when king Demaratos left Cleomenes on the battlefield and no king was left in Sparta. After leading a battle and sparing the city of Argos at Sepeia, Cleomenes came to a bad standing with his people who accused him of bribery. Angry that he had spared the city.
With his charisma, martial and political skills Pericles managed to secure reelection to the office of strategos on an annual basis. For more than twenty years Pericles would lead a multitude of martial expeditions, most of them seas based, to extend and safeguard Athenian interests. Much of his success at battle came from his cautious nature. Pericles endeavored to avoid battles that he considered to a favorable outcome but the chance of failure too high, too risky, and too uncertain. He also refused to be swapped up by the citizens’ vain desires.
He took many people’s lives, tourchered and embarrassed them if they did not obey him or surrender. Alexander the Great was great in his mind, but was not-so-great in
Now Leonidas commits his most noble act as a Spartan, he fight until not only his life was taken but every soldier on that battlefield facing the Persians. This is not only a heroic moment but also a very honorable, and memorable moment. This was such a great act of Leadership that it went down in history as one of the most amazing battle ever fought by any civilization ever. This was because the Spartan King was able to provided just enough time for his people and allies to make preparations for the oncoming attacks and how the Spartans were able to hold back an unbeatable opponent . This caused when the Persians attacked later on it was useless because of the time given to them by the incredible leadership of leonidas and
Upon finishing the acticle I was reading I thought to myself “I want to be like Leonidas,I want to have the same characteristics as him”-creative lead The historical figure I admire and respect the most is King Leonidas because of his bravery,loyalty,and dedication Leonidas was brave on the battlefield. “Leonidas and the 300 Spartans with him were all killed.” Leonidas was brave because Spartan code said that if a soldier,or especially a king died on the battlefield he was to be remembered as brave and honorable. “Also his death at Thermopylae was seen as a heroic sacrifice because he sent most of his army away when he realized that the Persians had outmaneuvered him.”
Alexander the Great was the king and renown general of Macedonia. He led the Greek army against Persia and used many bold tactics in battle. Alexander the Great significantly expanded the Greek legacy by conquering territories. When he conquered a territory, he would not force the locals to assimilate into the Greek culture. This is to ensure they would not rebel against his leadership.