The Greek soldiers blocking the Thermopylae Pass that Xerxes army needed to pour through to get into Greece, appeared pretty warlike and fierce. But Xerxes understood men. He knew exactly what was needed to drive this small band of peasant farmers out of his way and how to motivate his men to achieve this task. Now he was going to unleash them.

Tag words: Thermopylae Pass; Leonidas; Persians; Xerxes; Battle of Marathon; Herodotus; Victor Davis Hanson; Spartans; The Western Way of War; Socrates; Hoplites; Carnage and Culture; Richard Nelson; Armies of the Greek and Persian War; Hydarnes; Immortals; Old Guard; Waffen SS;