Few events in ancient history have become universally known as much as the sacrifice of Leonidas and his men while defending Attica, Boeotia, and southern Greece (which conveniently includes his native Sparta) from the Persian army. While not quite as rosy and clean-cut as portrayed (you bet it had a seedy underbelly as much as any other battle in any other war), the story of Leonidas and his 300 men (300? Already forgetting our allies, are we?) became one of the staples of romantic nationalism in the 19th century and later. It continues to be taught and glorified in schools across the western world even now that the classical Greece isn't quite as fashionable as it used to be.
In this poem Alexandrine poet Constantine Cavafy, at his didactic and metaphorical peak, compares a righteous life to defending the Thermopylae
but gives it as much a chance of success as Leonidas and his men had against the Persians (Medes). This poem is an ode to noble futility that
comes out somewhere between an ancient paean and the equally ancient Ecclesiastes. Though the poet considered himself to be best in his old age
this poem, written at the age of 33, is one of his most popular ones. Cafavy, a well-read man fascinated with antiquity, reduces the tale to an
analogy on a personal level.
Thermopylae
Honour to those who in their lives
mark and guard a Thermopylae pass
Never budging from their duty
just and forthright in all their actions
but with compassion, too, and charity
Generous while wealthy and, even
when they're poor, still giving in small ways
still helping as much as they can
Always speaking the truth
yet without hating liars
And more honour's due to them
when they foresee (as many do)
That in the end Ephialtes will appear
And the Medes finally shall pass.
--Constantine P. Cavafy, 1903.
Is it foolish to strive to be a good person when you're destined to be betrayed by the dishonourable? One could argue that it's pointless because failure is inevitable. But is it foolish and selfish to refuse to do good because you expect to meet with failure too? It is unwise to presume that, once the Medes have passed, all is lost for the poet and for the reader, just because that's where the poem ends. After all, history has recorded that Themistocles invested well the time that Leonidas bought and Xerxes, a temporary victor, met defeat at his hands.
No man is an island and, in the big picture, you may not be around to see the happy end but you can do your part to make it happen. As long as you care and are willing to bear the cost of doing so. Remember: to Leonidas it was the law. For you it's a choice. The Persians are out there. Will you guard the pass?
Poem translated from the Greek original, 2003. The poem's translation is hereby released into the public domain by its author (me, that is).