Talk:Ephialtes of Trachis
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I will create a seperate article for the Athenian politician Ephialtes.--Yannismarou 11:14, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
I removed the information about the film '300' because I felt it out of place on this biographical page. It seems to me that the film is deliberately ahistorical and has nothing to offer in terms of providing understanding of the actual Ephialtes. Also, the information was duplicated elsewhere. Adam 23:47, 10 November 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Theories
It is also possible that Ephialtes was in fact a great hero to Sparta. Based on his actions, it seems that he was the only one who understood what Leonidas was really doing and thus concluded the importance of the Persian army discovering that old path in time. If it wasn't for Ephialtes, the 300 would have run out from the front before they are outflanked by Xerxes and thus not proving he is a coward as the Leonidas has always stated. So really what Leonidas was thinking to hold them long enough just until the other path is discovered. I thinking the king was glad to hear that someone knows of the path, but his loyalty to Sparta was a problem. When Ephialtes asked to join the Spartans in battle, Leonidas found it an opportunity to bring out any hatred or betrayal that Ephialtes might be hiding for him or Sparta. The dented shield gave Leonidas the impression that Ephialtes is a pretender, very very true! beyond the king's wisdom at the time. Ephialtes dented his father's shield and went to see the king only to ask if he should do it or not. Leonidas' actions and how he handled the interview, trying to ridicule the hunchback by asking him to lift his shield was enough proof to Ephialtes what Leonidas wanted him to do.
The brave Ephialtes knowing fully well that Xerxes' men might not be loyal and word might not reach the emperor in time, he had to go to him himself!
In the end, when Ephialtes approached the king and brought spearing Xerxes' to his attention, Leonidas finally realized that there was someone even braver and more honorable, he wished him to live for ever thus receiving divine status. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.244.119.94 (talk) 04:35, 4 May 2008 (UTC)
