The Greeks, on hearing of this, gathered together about the
middle of the night and conferred about the perils which were bearing down on them. And
although some declared that they should relinquish the pass at once and make their way in
safety to the allies, stating that any who remained in the place could not possibly come off
with their lives, Leonidas, the king of the Lacedaemonians, being eagerly desirous to win both
for himself and for the Spartans a garland of great glory, gave orders that the rest of the
Greeks should all depart and win safety for themselves, in order that they might fight together
with the Greeks in the battles which still remained; but as for the Lacedaemonians, he said,
they must remain and not abandon the defence of the pass, for it was fitting that those who
were the leaders of
Hellas should gladly die striving
for the meed of honour.
1
[
2]
Immediately, then, all the rest departed, but Leonidas
together with his fellow citizens performed heroic and astounding deeds; and although the
Lacedaemonians were but few (he detained only the Thespiaeans) and he had all told not more
than five hundred men, he was ready to meet death on behalf of
Hellas.
[
3]
After
this the Persians who were led by the Trachinian, after making their way around the difficult
terrain, suddenly caught Leonidas between their forces, and the Greeks, giving up any thought
of their own safety and choosing renown instead, with one voice asked their commander to lead
them against the enemy before the Persians should learn that their men had made their way
around them.
[
4]
And Leonidas, welcoming the eagerness of his
soldiers, ordered them to prepare their breakfast quickly, since they would dine in Hades, and
he himself, in accordance with the order he had given, took food, believing that by so doing he
could keep his strength for a long time and endure the strain of contest. When they had hastily
refreshed themselves and all were ready, he ordered the soldiers to attack the camp, slaying
any who came in their way, and to strike for the very pavilion of the king.