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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When he arrives at the Spartan camp, Ephialtes has his ____________ clothing, armor, and weaponry.

2. What does Leonidas see as a major flaw in the Persian king?

3. Who wishes to have an audience with Leonidas after the fighting during the day?

4. Spartan soldiers swim and dive from a massive wall made of ____________ and Persian corpses.

5. As a result of his deformity, Ephialtes, Leonidas tells him he can not be a part of the ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What tale does Dilios tell as the Persian Ambassador visits the Spartan camp?

2. What does Leonidas see as a major flaw in King Xerxes?

3. What does the Persian Ambassador do, even after his significant injury?

4. What happens when the Persian Ambassador decides to lash Dilios?

5. What ensures no man in the Spartan army will falter or flee, according to the story?

6. What is the hoplite phalanx formation that the Spartans use and what happens when it is used in battle?

7. What does Leonidas do in order to restore the honor of Stelios before the other men?

8. Describe the appearance of the Hot Gates where the Spartans are fighting.

9. What does Ephialtes hope to gain from fighting with the Spartan army as one of the soldiers?

10. What is shown in the graphics to represent the harsh training the soldiers undergo at camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The physical training Leonidas asks of his soldiers is intense, but necessary in order to fight well on the battlefield.

Part 1: Why do you think Leonidas values this intense training?

Part 2: Why haven't the soldiers been put into this intense training until just before the battle?

Part 3: If the soldiers Leonidas picked were already professional soldiers, why do they need more training?

Essay Topic 2

Ephialtes really wants to fight for Sparta, but his physical deformity prevents him from impressing Leonidas.

Part 1: What is the role of Ephialtes in the story? Why is his character so important?

Part 2: What might have happened had Leonidas allowed him to be on the army?

Part 3: Why do you think Ephialtes wanted to fight with Leonidas?

Essay Topic 3

The ambassador from Persia tries to get the Spartans to surrender before the battle even begins, and loses an arm at the same time.

Part 1: What would be the value of surrendering for the Spartan army? How would the Persians benefit?

Part 2: Do you think the Persian army believes the Spartans had any possibility of surrendering? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think it would have been a better idea for the Spartans to have surrendered? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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