"Molon labe"
- Thread starter John/az2
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In evaluating what happened at Thermopylae and any other land battle in the Greek-Persian War it's always worth remembering that a Greek hopolite was better armed and armored than a Persian warrior, Their heads, bodies, and lower legs were well protected by bronze armor, they carrled a large round shield, and their basic weapon, the spea,r was longer and stronger than the Persian weapon.
They were wel trained in fighting in a close eight man deep formation which was called the phalanx. The name derives from the classic word for a roller of the type used to smooth and flatten roads and meant that the phalanx rolled over the enemy formation. Their superior weapons, armor and training explains why the Greeks won even when they were heaviky otnumbered.
THe Greeks held off the Persians attacks until a path around their position at Thermopylae through the mountains was betrayed to the Persians by a Greek traitor. Attacked by superior numbers from all sides the Greeks lost and died fighting to the last man. If it had not been for this traitor the Greeks could have held on much longr, perhaps long enough for reinforcements to have reached them from the south.
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited October 29, 2000).]
They were wel trained in fighting in a close eight man deep formation which was called the phalanx. The name derives from the classic word for a roller of the type used to smooth and flatten roads and meant that the phalanx rolled over the enemy formation. Their superior weapons, armor and training explains why the Greeks won even when they were heaviky otnumbered.
THe Greeks held off the Persians attacks until a path around their position at Thermopylae through the mountains was betrayed to the Persians by a Greek traitor. Attacked by superior numbers from all sides the Greeks lost and died fighting to the last man. If it had not been for this traitor the Greeks could have held on much longr, perhaps long enough for reinforcements to have reached them from the south.
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited October 29, 2000).]
Speaking of vets?? Like many here I am a vet, US Army. I served for over two years in Vietnam in combat arms..
Like many who served in combat?? All these tales by internet armchair commandoes are silly..
May we take a walk down some personal history?? History that I share with every american veteran..
I remember very well being taken in a room at Fort Holabird in Maryland. A large group of young men, we all raised our right hand and swore a solemn oath. Part of that oath said to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic..
I am sure many others reading this remember all that occurring just as I do. We gave our solemn oath.
A few years later at Fort Belvoir Virginia I walked through a process, signed papers, got my last paycheck and processed out of the Army.
I do not remember being released from my solemn oath. Nor does any one else that took that oath, so depending on how a person values their solemn oath? Those words still apply, we were never released from those words....
To protect the Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic..
RKBA is our molon labe..
We gave our oath.
------------------
De Oppresso Liber
Like many who served in combat?? All these tales by internet armchair commandoes are silly..
May we take a walk down some personal history?? History that I share with every american veteran..
I remember very well being taken in a room at Fort Holabird in Maryland. A large group of young men, we all raised our right hand and swore a solemn oath. Part of that oath said to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic..
I am sure many others reading this remember all that occurring just as I do. We gave our solemn oath.
A few years later at Fort Belvoir Virginia I walked through a process, signed papers, got my last paycheck and processed out of the Army.
I do not remember being released from my solemn oath. Nor does any one else that took that oath, so depending on how a person values their solemn oath? Those words still apply, we were never released from those words....
To protect the Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic..
RKBA is our molon labe..
We gave our oath.
------------------
De Oppresso Liber
Sadly, I am reminded of a 1943 Signal magazine (Nazi propaganda equivalent of Stars and Stripes) which featured a large pictorial entitled "Stalingrad, the modern Thermipolae" so something like that. The Fritz also liked to assume the mantle of the heroes past.
I much prefer Patton's take on war
I much prefer Patton's take on war
Rich Lucibella
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Thread closed for size. Feel free to start a Part Deux.
Rich
Thread closed for size. Feel free to start a Part Deux.
Rich
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