3 The Warrior Archetype

Episode Three: Spartan Women, Part Two

Why did king Leonidas pick the specific 300 warriors that he did to fight the Persians (and to face certain death) at Thermopylae?

To this day, no one knows.

In Gates of Fire, I imagined an answer. Leonidas chose his Three Hundred—including himself, for he knew he too would die in the coming battle—not for their own courage but for the courage of their women.

In today’s video, we’ll investigate further the mindset of these wives and mothers, sisters and daughters of the ancient world’s premier warrior culture.

Subscribe here for the full series, or watch previous episodes here

Subscribe here for the full series, or watch previous episodes here

23 Comments

  1. Andrew lubin on August 24, 2020 at 6:22 am

    “Because you can.” And it remains true today for the wives and mothers of our Marines and Soldiers who marched off to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other climes and places. S/f

  2. Terry Weaver on August 24, 2020 at 6:44 am

    Steve, you reminded me of this quote, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” -G.k. Chesterton, English philosopher known as the “prince of paradox”

    Good stuff, S/F

  3. Joe Jansen on August 24, 2020 at 8:20 am

    I love that this scene was added at the encouragement (insistence?) of Kate and Nita, and it ends up being the scene many readers find most memorable.

  4. Scott on August 24, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    This passage has a hidden subtlety: When Paraleia says, “These are the last tears that the sun will ever see.,” the subtext is that she will doing her grieving at night, alone. She understands that Leonides is *not* asking her not to grieve at all. That would not be human. He’s asking her to swallow her grief in public. I don’t know if the author intended that, but that’s how it reads to me. And it is an example of letting the reader extrapolate on his own from this brief exchange what is forthcoming to her, instead of having a line that later spells it all out, like “and then she sobbed her heart out at night.” This is a marvelous unspoken connection between Paraliea and Leonides, where she shows perfect understanding what he asks of her.

    • Steven Pressfield on August 24, 2020 at 2:47 pm

      That’s it, Scott. That’s it exactly. The key part of the quote is “that the sun will ever see.” Thanks for getting it.

  5. Johanne Crawford on August 25, 2020 at 4:40 am

    Wow…it says so much about mothers in general, how we keep all the plates spinning in midst of the chaos and fear that life throws our way while revealing the warrior mom within that moves forward in the uncertainty.

  6. Erick Yates Green on August 26, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    Empowering indeed is it to be invited into this your sharing of the “Warrior Archetype” video series and teachings of you, Steven Pressfield, in amongst the balance of this vlog team of co-witnesses and fellow Life and story voyagers.

    Especially in this time of isolation caused by uninvited frightening Covid-19 invaders, to share this kindred exploration into the history of how woman and mankind gathered enough courageous camaraderie to face their enemies—both physical and Spiritual—is a gift SO damn-sure much appreciated!!!

    And both a filmmaker and film professor [and a confessed creative-ADD easily distracted person}, I also much admire how you present your video series and even ‘Writings Wednesdays’ in singular tangible chapters of wisdom. Not only does your teaching strategy make your given material possible to absorb from beginning to end [to which I am able to reach : ) ], but it also helps bake in each lesson so that it still reverberates throughout the day and week.

  7. Mary on December 29, 2020 at 7:09 am

    Thank you so very much for sharing this episode! I really like it! I like history and write a lot in the academic field (find additional info here assignmenthelp4aussies.com) You are a very good story-teller!

  8. Brian Nelson on February 11, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    Steve,
    I just watched this again, and damn if it doesn’t hit me in the solar plexus with the same power as the time I read it. Same tears. Same nodding of head.

    I’ve generally thought of my own wife in this passage, but tonight I remembered a present day Paraleia who lives outside of Joint Base Lewis McCord.

    BLUF: Lisa Hallett’s husband John was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, 17 days after Lisa gave birth to their daughter Heidi. In short, Lisa, and the other women of 1/17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, ran through their grief.

    Below is Lisa’s TEDx Tacoma talk, and a link to the organization she created to help people deal with loss and grief. It is truly an amazing story, and a present day example of a woman who personifies the Warrior Archetype.

    TEDx Tacoma:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9v3TMrsbdg

    wear blue; run to remember:https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org

    Lisa’s story in her own words as one of President Bush’s “Presidential Leadership Scholar”: https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/running-to-remember-lisas-story/

    I know Lisa. I’ve learned more about leadership from women like Lisa and my wife than I ever learned in OCS.

    This maybe in the top 1000 words Steven Pressfield has ever written. Thank God you had two women editors!
    bsn

    • Raymond on May 14, 2021 at 3:12 am

      Every women should follow these inspirational ways in order to change the social belief. The women have the power to perform all the activities that men can do. You could visit this https://boobs.house/ website for getting more and more opportunities to get connected with people around the world. Thanks for sharing this post.

  9. dawntruetesas on March 4, 2021 at 2:26 am

    It is quite possible to buy an essay inexpensively if you take care of it in advance. It’s no secret that urgent orders are always priced more expensive, so you shouldn’t wait until the last moment – just fill out an application for an essay on our website. Good training can provide you essay tigers review a great overview of companies that will help you with your homework.

  10. retro bowl on December 9, 2021 at 1:29 am

    Today is my lucky day when I find this site and watch this video. Thank you so much! Your content is so inspiring and wonderful.

  11. old mumbai chart on November 16, 2022 at 4:44 am

    old mumbai char latest tips and tricks

  12. ratore itihas on November 16, 2022 at 4:45 am

    latest new business ideas for you what are you waiting for just see the website.

  13. mohagni on October 19, 2023 at 11:30 pm

    Get ready with our stunning collection of party wear dress for women. We have a wide range of styles and designs to make you stylish and gorgeous. Shop now and step out in style at your next party or event.

  14. Walkeaze Shoes on October 19, 2023 at 11:37 pm

    Walkeaze offers its customers the best quality Slippers for women online in Pakistan. You can buy slippers online across Pakistan at great prices. So, grab your favorite women’s slippers today and enjoy.

  15. adoro on October 20, 2023 at 12:14 am

    Get ready to take your style to a whole new level with adoro’s premium quality casual shoes! Our range of comfortable and stylish footwear is designed to keep you looking modern and confident all day long. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and designs so you can find the perfect pair for any occasion. Shop now!

  16. Chahyay on October 20, 2023 at 12:59 am

    Illuminate your space with stylish and functional table lamps from Chahyay. Discover a wide range of side table lamps that add a touch of elegance to any room. Shop now and transform your home with Chahyay collection of table lamps.

  17. The Entertainer on October 22, 2023 at 4:50 am

    Find the best face paint for kids Online at The Entertainer. We provide all the kids playing stuff like kitchen set, Face paint and make up kit. Shop today, for the face paint and other kids toys Online.

  18. Coby Brian on November 12, 2023 at 5:27 pm

    In the enigmatic selection of the 300 warriors for the fateful stand at Thermopylae, King Leonidas may have looked beyond individual bravery, choosing instead for the collective strength of Spartan women. Imagined in Steven Pressfield’s “Gates of Fire,” Leonidas might have envisioned his warriors as embodiments of the indomitable spirit of their female counterparts. This perspective aligns with the deeply ingrained ethos of Spartan society, where the courage and resilience of the women were seen as integral to the endurance of the warrior culture. The intricate interplay between the valor of Spartan men and the steadfastness of their women, as depicted in Pressfield’s work, sheds light on the multifaceted motivations that shaped this historic decision. (Note: Nations of Darkness, by StarFortune)

    12 Best VR Games Available To Play On Mobile

  19. sad on January 30, 2024 at 11:52 am

    i never know the use of adobe shadow until i saw this post. thank you for this! this is very helpful. spbo handicap

  20. Hassan on February 1, 2024 at 4:02 am

    nice

  21. Wear Ochre on March 5, 2024 at 12:11 am

    Empower your retail business with Wear Ochre, a trusted kids’ dress manufacturer. Elevate your inventory with our stylish designs and enjoy an exclusive 20-30% off for early partnerships. Kids Clothes Sale

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply





Patronu aradığında sürekli hasta olduğunu söyleyerek iş yerine yalan söylüyor porno hikaye Patronu artık bu kadarının gerçek olamayacağını ve rapor görmek istediğini dile getirip telefonu kapatıyor türbanlı Olgun kadın hemen bilgisayarının başına geçip özel bir doktor buluyor ve onu arayarak evine davet ediyor porno Muayene için eve gelen doktor olgun kadını muayene ediyor ve hiç bir sıkıntı olmadığını söylüyor brazzers porno Sarışın ablamız ise iş yerine rapor götürmesi gerektiğini bu yüzden rapor yazmasını istiyor brazzers porno fakat doktor bunun pek mümkün olmadığını dile getiriyor sex hikayeleri Daha sonra evli olan bu kahpe doktora iş atarak ona yavşıyor ve istediğini alana kadar durmuyor Porno İzle Karılarını takas etmek isteyen elemanlar hep birlikte evde buluşuyor türkçe porno Güzel vakit geçirdikten sonra kızlara isteklerini iletiyorlar ve hatunlarda kocalarının bu isteklerini kabul ediyorlar seks hikayeleri Hemen ellerine telefonları alan elemanlar karılarına video eşliğinde sakso çektiriyorlar porno izle Hiç beklemeden sikişe geçen elemanlar hatunları değiştire değiştire sikmeye başlıyorlar.