“Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Source: Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
Quotes from workGates of Fire
Gates of Fire is a 1998 historical fiction novel by Steven Pressfield that recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through Xeones, a perioikoi born in Astakos, and one of only three Greek survivors of the battle.
“As all born teachers, he was primarily a student.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Source: Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
“He who whets his steel, whets his courage”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Source: Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
“The opposite of fear," Dienekes said, "is love.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Source: Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
“You have never tasted freedom friend, or you would know it is purchased not with gold, but steel.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Dienekes p. 60
Gates of Fire (1998)
Source: Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
“Do you love your country? […] This man, with his life, has preserved it. Bear him with honor.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Orontes (Handing over Xeones' corpse to Athenian civilians) p. 430
Gates of Fire (1998)
“If you think this is funny, wait 'till you get into combat. You'll think that's hysterical!”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Polynikes p. 80
Gates of Fire (1998)
“I have always found the spear to be a rather inelegant weapon”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Apollo p. 47
Gates of Fire (1998)
“I had always wondered what it felt like to die.”
Steven Pressfield Gates of Fire
Gates of Fire (1998)
