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A Hot Root: therm(o)
z This root has a history going back to 480 B.C.E. At that time,
Xerxes the Great, ruler of the Persian Empire, was invading Greece
with his massive army, which according to modern estimates may
have numbered approximately 100,000 men. In response, a number
of Greek city-states decided to put their rivalries aside and form an
alliance to repel the invading Persians.z To face the enormous Persian army, the Greeks made a strategically
astute decision. They planned to defend the narrow coastal pass of
Thermopylae, which means the “Hot Gates,” a reference to the hot
sulfur springs there.
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most well-trained warriors. Thus, it was no surprise that King
Leonidas and his Spartans ended up leading the Greek allied
army against the Persians.ż Leonidas chose 300 of his best Spartan soldiers to make the
stand at Thermopylae. These 300 warriors were joined by
approximately 6,000 soldiers from the other Greek cities.z Before the Battle of Thermopylae began, Xerxes attempted to
negotiate with the Spartans, promising them their freedom and
better land if they submitted. When Leonidas refused these
terms, Xerxes demanded of the Greeks, “Hand over your arms.”
Leonidas’s famously terse reply has echoed down the ages: “Come
and take them.”z The Persians attacked, and although they greatly outnumbered
the Greeks, they couldn’t take advantage of their overwhelming
numbers because of the narrow pass. In addition, the longer spears
of the Spartans were particularly deadly in this narrow space. Wave
after wave of attacking Persians were repulsed as the Spartans
rotated their troops, some holding the front line while others rested.z Eventually, however, the tide turned. Ephialtes, a Greek traitor who
hoped to be rewarded by the Persians, showed the Persians another