Battle of Thermopylae (The music is by composer Mic Roussos on soundcloud)
The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece.
It came from the King himself, as Luches and Bartholomew and their five brothers helped their Father, the King speak to the people for the last time.
The cancer had now ravaged his body. Before his soul would leave and rest in eternal peace, he would announce to the people that the battle was now at their feet and the preparation was now palpable.
He stood with the help of his seven sons. He looked at his wife’s green eyes and she remained very still and bowed her head to the King. She remained unequivocally by his side for 55 years, as in life and as in death.
As he leaned on the balcony while two of his sons kneeled and held each of his legs to support their father to remain standing.
He cleared his throat and said,
“We are a peaceful people.” (the crowd cheered) “We have tried through repeated discourse to keep the peace with now regrettably our enemy.”
As his body shook and voice cracked he adjusted himself and cleared his throat to continue.
“It is now time to fight for the lives of all our loved ones. To keep the peace as it should be. We shall not let these cowards come in and rape, maim or kill our woman and children, your mothers and fathers and grandparents, sisters and brothers…daughters and sons. I will tell you this. Remain strong in the face of war and we shall prevail. Let God show us now the way. No country that remains in power lives without the sacrifice of others. As I lost my two brothers and my father before I became King. I might lose one or more of my sons tomorrow. I shall continue to pray for your fathers and sons who will join my seven tomorrow.”
On the next day, Luches stood proud to lead his army of 10,000. He was on his white horse and in full steel armoire. He removed his headpiece while his horse kept stomping his hooves and bobbing his mane up and down snorting; repeatedly.
Luches yelled and asked, “Are we ready?” Everyone was prepared and they yelled back “Yes.” All the horses became agitated with nervous anticipation and preparation.
Luches yelled, “Then it is, in each one of us to fight collectively and destroy the enemy.” “My last words to you, “Fight to save our kingdom filled with our family and friends.
“Charge!”
The stomping of the horses hooves was the drumbeat to war.
They crashed and clashed into the enemy. On contact multiple lives stabbed with the long swords. Blood spilled out on initial contact. The horses made their cries while the already wounded were yelling and breathing their last breaths. Once the other 4,000 troops; 2,000 on each side came into the pit the enemy was trapped helplessly.
The banging and screeching of blades was a constant noise. Men were yelling their wive’s names in the face of death. Blood and more blood was marking everything red. The brothers formed into a circle and were killing many. Just as the enemy was about to strike, there was a brother slashing his throat or piercing his heart. The battle went on for at least 10 hours and so they won…and the kingdom remained…and the King breathed his last breath. ~ Natalie
06.15.2017.1030
