The different stories of two soldiers of Leonidas who lost their sight going to Thermopylae

It is the spring of 480 BC. and the 39-year-old king of Persia and Pharaoh of Egypt, Xerxes I, just enters the Greek territories with his large army from the straits of the Hellespont. Wherever he passes on his way to Athens, he spreads terror. Never before have people seen such a large army.

The historian Herodotus speaks of 2.600.000 men and auxiliary troops, but the number seems excessive. The ancient writer Ktisias Cnidius states that about 800.000 fell, while modern scholars estimate them at 70.000 - 300.000. But even if there were so many, they certainly seem enough for the measures of the time.

The Greek army, for its part, is heading towards Thermopylae with 300 selected hoplites under the king of Sparta, Leonidas. Along the way will be added 1.000 Phocaeans, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans, Tegeates, Corinthians, Mantineans, Mycenaeans, Helots and several more allies, a total of about 7.000 men. But history has focused on the 300 legendary Spartans chosen by Leonidas based on the inexhaustible militancy that distinguished them and the fact that they had all had sons, in order to continue their race in case they were killed.

Leonidas's goal is to set up a line of defense in the narrow passage along the shores of the Gulf of Malia, through which only one chariot could pass at a time in order to significantly mitigate the numerical superiority of the opponent. By the way, today this passage is no longer close to the sea, but it has moved a few kilometers further due to the alluvium of the Sperchios river. In essence, this is now the point from which he overlooks the area, the imposing statue of Leonidas.

Of the 300 selected Spartans, two will be infected during the multi-day journey to Thermopylae by eye, a very serious disease that causes inflammation in the eye and leads the sufferer to blindness. Leonidas, who sees their situation, orders them to return immediately if they wish Sparta, as they were visibly unable to assist in the battle that would follow.

The great historian and traveler, Herodotus, has also given us the names of the soldiers who fell ill: he was Aristodemus and Evrytos. The first, suffering from pain, returns home. Evrytos, however, grits his teeth and declares that he will continue as long as he can. From a young age he was trained to throw himself into battle and now that he was given the opportunity he did not want to lose it.

When Xerxes' army arrives at Thermopylae and confronts the few Greeks, he demands the immediate surrender of their weapons, as any conflict would be useless and the result would be doomed. But they not only mourn, but also answer him mockingly "take the mole" ("come and get them"). The relentless battle begins on August 7 or September 8, 480 BC. (Historical sources differ as to the exact date).

The invaders soon find that they are unable to fight together in the strait. Those who attempt it fall dead at once. It is said that on the first day of the battle o Xenophyte, watching the Greek allied army slash the Medes, got up three times from the throne he had set up at a safe distance in order to watch what was happening. The Spartans did retreat, the Persians retreated into the straits, and the result was that hundreds were killed in the first twenty-four hours.

On the second day the scene is repeated and Xerxes is forced to make a temporary retreat realizing that if this situation continues he will lose his army before reaching Athens. He retires to the scene to meet with the generals. He will get him out of the difficult position Nightmare, a local who knew the area well. For a fee, he points out to the enemy the way in order to find himself behind the Greeks from another road, behind Mount Kallidromo. For his choice he will pass very soon in both Greek and world history as the model of the traitor.

Early in the morning of the third day, and after all night the best trained guards of the Persians, also known as the "Immortals", followed the path unknown to them from which the Nightmare had led them, they hit the now surrounded Greeks who would soon suffer significant losses. . Leonidas orders the hoplites of the allied Greek cities to retreat, in order to build a new, stronger line of defense further south. Thus, the 300 of Leonidas (to be exact 299 from the moment Aristodemus left) will remain to give the last battle together with the men of the local areas, that is, the 700 Thespians and the 400 Thebans.

Learning about the circular movement of the Persians, the almost blind Evrytos asks the helot that he had with him to prepare the armor and lead it to the "fire" of the war. Indeed, the slave takes him to the battlefield and as soon as he lets go of his hand, he leaves in a hurry. Seeing only shadows coming at him, Evrytos fought bravely, defying death. Although he had the opportunity to escape, he did not. He wanted to defend the ideals with which he was nurtured, leaving his last breath next to his king like the other Spartan comrades-in-arms.

But what happened to Aristodemus who returned because of an eye problem and did not fight? Herodotus mentions in book VII ("Polymnia") that "Aristodemus, as he lacked courage, saved his life. Now, and in the event that only he would feel pain and return to Sparta, or in the event that both of them (s.s. he and Evrytos) would be transferred there, I have the opinion that the Spartans would not manifest no rage against them; but now that one of them was killed, while the other, having the same reason for acquittal, did not prefer to die, it could not be done until they let their rage erupt in Aristodemus ".

The historian states that Aristodemus lived in shame and contempt. No Spartan allowed him to light his fire, nor did he chat with him. Wherever he went, he was accompanied by ridicule, as he was given the name "Aristodemos the Kiotis", that is, the one who kites, is timid in the face of danger. A year later, however, in August 479 BC. "He washed away the blame that was placed on him and regained his honor" as Herodotus typically states, despite the fact that his vision problem had not been restored, he took part in the second Persian invasion in the victorious battle of Plataea and fought bravely.

Finally, the ancient historian mentions that another of Leonidas' 300 survived, because a messenger had been sent to Thessaly. According to Herodotus, his name was Pantitis. However, "with the fact that he also returned to Sparta, he fell into disrepute and that is why he was hanged".

* THE George Sarris is a journalist - member of ESIEA, honored by the President of the Republic with the Ath. Botsis Award for the objective and complete presentation of historical political issues.

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