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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. The Spartans are stacking up a large __________ of Persians even before the main battle begins.

2. The narrow trail is near a cliff which falls to the ___________ below.

3. Xerxes wants to raise an army to smash _________ as well.

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

5. What does Ephialtes do when he hears he cannot be a part of the Spartan resistance?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the initial assault of the Persians is defeated, what do the Persians do next to the Spartans?

2. What does King Xerxes offer to Leonidas when he comes into the camp the evening after battle?

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

4. What is the initial reaction to the Persian Ambassador when he comes into camp?

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

6. Why doesn't Leonidas accept Ephialtes as a soldier in the Spartan army when he asks to be a part of the march?

7. What do the Spartans do with the Persian corpses from their battle in order to intimidate others, it seems?

8. Where do the Spartan defensive tactics center (location-wise) in the beginning of this chapter?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The theme of war is one that pervades this story, though it seems at times to take over the minds of men and make them do things that they might not have normally done.

Part 1: Why do you think Persia and Sparta are at war with each other?

Part 2: Do you think Persia and Sparta could ever stop being at war and come to a truce? Why or why not?

Part 3: How does the war between Persia and Sparta compare with modern day wars? How is it similar and how is it different?

Essay Topic 3

The armies both want to intimidate the other army in order to get the upper hand in the battle.

Part 1: How much of a battle do you think is mental? How much is physical?

Part 2: Is it more important for any army to have mental toughness or physical toughness? Why?

Part 3: What does intimidation do to the opposing army who is being intimidated? What does the intimidation do for the army who is doing the intimidating?

(see the answer keys)

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