Gates of fire

[nj1]

Just finished Gates of fire by S Pressfield. I have to say this is an epic novel. The story is told by the historical advisor of the persian king Darius, relating the story of Xeo, who survived the battle of Thermopylae and was instructed by Darius to recount his tale as the king would like to know more about the Spartans who fought so valiantly against the cream of the Persian empire

This book gave an amazing insight into Spartan life and I would highly recommend it to anyone interrestd in that battle.

After watching 300 the film then reading the book, I noticed that some parts of the film mirror the book,Like the 'eat well lads, for tonight we dine in hell' line from the film was taken from the book.
Does anyone know if the film was loosely based on the book?

[Culhwch]

Strangely enough I just picked this one up from the library today. I've got a few others ahead of it in the reading list, though, so I don't know if/when I'll get around to it.

300 was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller. I'm not one hundred percent sure but I'd say the similarity comes from the original source material - Herodotus's Histories perhaps, but don't quote me on that...

[nj1]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Strangely enough I just picked this one up from the library today. I've got a few others ahead of it in the reading list, though, so I don't know if/when I'll get around to it.

300 was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller. I'm not one hundred percent sure but I'd say the similarity comes from the original source material - Herodotus's Histories perhaps, but don't quote me on that...

Pressfield does achknowledge Herodotus, along with Homer, Plutarch, Pausanius, Diodorus, Plato etc etc. So i guess the line could have come from any of those.
in the book it's quoted as
'Now eat a good breakfast, men, for we'll all be sharing dinner in hell'

Just to add I found the book a bit slow at the start as it's mostly descriptive, with little converation, but believe me it gets better, the amount of research that must have gone into this book must have been huge.
Enjoy.

[The Ace]

This is one of the most famous battles in history, even a piece of sh*t like, "300," would've got some of it right. So far, the best treatment of the incident I've seen in film is that old chestnut, "The 300 Spartans," although Herodotus may well have been the original source.

It is notable, though, that after Marathon, the Persians came back. Thermopylae ('Gates of Fire,' is a literal translation.) gave the Greeks time to gather their forces and fight in unison, the naval battle at Salamis and the land battle at Platea so decisively shattered their fleet and armies respectively, that the Persians never came back and Western Civilisation was saved.

[nj1]

Originally Posted by The Ace

This is one of the most famous battles in history, even a piece of sh*t like, "300," would've got some of it right. So far, the best treatment of the incident I've seen in film is that old chestnut, "The 300 Spartans," although Herodotus may well have been the original source.

It is notable, though, that after Marathon, the Persians came back. Thermopylae ('Gates of Fire,' is a literal translation.) gave the Greeks time to gather their forces and fight in unison, the naval battle at Salamis and the land battle at Platea so decisively shattered their fleet and armies respectively, that the Persians never came back and Western Civilisation was saved.

My knowledge of the Marathon incident is heavily lacking I'm afraid. Was marathon a full invasion attempt of similar numbers or a smaller battle with the same outcome. How long before Thermopylae was Marathon?

[The Ace]

Marathon was 490BC, ten years earlier, this is where the Spartans refused to take part, claiming a religious festival (the Greek equivalent of a note from their Mum.)
The Athenians managed to broker a temporary alliance which they led against a Persian army which had, like it's successor, marched along the coast so that it could be easily supplied by the accompanying fleet.

While hasty preparations were made to evacuate Athens, practically every able-bodied man in Greece assembled for a last-ditch defence at the village of Marathon, 26 miles away.

In one of the most decisive battles in the ancient world, the outnumbered Greek hoplites achieved a stunning victory, forcing a Persian withdrawal.

The above is fact. Legend tells of the runner Pheidippides, tasked with carrying a message to Sparta requesting their aid.

He reached Marathon after five days of constant running without a break and took his place in the line of battle.
At the end of the day, with the Persians defeated, Athens had to be informed and Pheidippides set off again, running the first-ever marathon. He reached the main square, and lived just long enough to gasp, "Athens is saved."

At the last Olympic games, the marathon was run along Pheidippides' original route.

[nj1]

cool, liked the bit about a note from thier mum, lol.

Are there any decent books on this event that you know of?
i'm sort of into historical fiction at the moment where as in the past i've been reading more fantasy books.
Any books on historical fiction you would recommend?

I've read a few of the more known authors such as Bernard Cornwell, Conn igguldon, Simon Scarrow, Scott Oden, and a few others. Though I prefer the books set in ancient times more than books with guns, although i did enjoy Ian Gale's Man of Honour.

[The Ace]

Most modern works tend to draw on Herodotus and other contemporary sources, and have already been cited here. Due to the nature of Greece itself (Most of its archaeology is under modern cities which have been inhabited for the last 3000 years and more, and much has been destroyed by marauding Macedonians, Romans, Christians and Turks) archaeological evidence is a bit thin on the ground.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by The Ace

This is one of the most famous battles in history, even a piece of sh*t like, "300," would've got some of it right. So far, the best treatment of the incident I've seen in film is that old chestnut, "The 300 Spartans," although Herodotus may well have been the original source.

It is notable, though, that after Marathon, the Persians came back. Thermopylae ('Gates of Fire,' is a literal translation.) gave the Greeks time to gather their forces and fight in unison, the naval battle at Salamis and the land battle at Platea so decisively shattered their fleet and armies respectively, that the Persians never came back and Western Civilisation was saved.

Have you read the comic?

Frank Miller showed arespect for the history and characters.

Many qoutes direct from the famous histories.

It was not as fantasy like and brain dead as the movie.

Prolly more in common with this book than the movie.

[jenna]

This is easily one of THE best historical fiction books I've ever read (and I've read a lot!) Loved it, loved everything about it. It is the only fiction book I've read on Thermopylae, although I've read a hell of a lot of non-fiction on the subject, so I can't make any recommendations (however, I have a sneaking suspicion that there's nothing else out there that will beat the Pressfield version!)

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by nj1

cool, liked the bit about a note from thier mum, lol.

Are there any decent books on this event that you know of?
i'm sort of into historical fiction at the moment where as in the past i've been reading more fantasy books.
Any books on historical fiction you would recommend?

I've read a few of the more known authors such as Bernard Cornwell, Conn igguldon, Simon Scarrow, Scott Oden, and a few others. Though I prefer the books set in ancient times more than books with guns, although i did enjoy Ian Gale's Man of Honour.

I would recommend Persian Fire by Tom Holland. It is not HF but his writing is so easy and dramatic it is like reading HF. His description of Marathon is first class.

As for Gates of Fire. It is without a doubt one of best books that I have read. There is talk of a movie being made out of it. George Clooney bought the rights to make it, I believe. But there are troubles with the script.

[nj1]

Originally Posted by svalbard

I would recommend Persian Fire by Tom Holland. It is not HF but his writing is so easy and dramatic it is like reading HF. His description of Marathon is first class.

As for Gates of Fire. It is without a doubt one of best books that I have read. There is talk of a movie being made out of it. George Clooney bought the rights to make it, I believe. But there are troubles with the script.

I bought Persian Fire the other day and haven't had a chance to read it yet as I'm reading Belgarath the Sorcerer first, Though I've had a quick skim through the beginning and can't wait to give some attention.

Would love to see a decent film on Gates of Fire. I would rate this a probably the best historic book I've read, just hope any film will do it justice.

[bryanspellman]

Loved the book, the comic AND the movie. All have it's place on my shelf.

The one thing that bothered me in all is:

Tonight we dine in Hell. As Hell is a Christian word/idea, they most likely siad

Tonight we dine in Hades (or Tartarus the Greek version of Hell)

Overall a fantastic book!!!!

[Lady of Winterfell]

Wow, I've had this book on my 'To Be Read' list for awhile and have just never picked it up. But you guys are giving it such glowing reviews I might pick it up a little sooner now.

[nj1]

Well spoted Bryan, I've never noticed that before. I guess that it should have been Hades as the spartans would have thought themselfs as fighting for the good side and therefore wouldn't have expected to go to Tartarus.