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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. According to Leonidas, how many men could the Persians mass behind the battle wall?

2. How does Leonidas appear to Xerxes in his dream?

3. What is the standing order of Dienekes while on campaign?

4. Why does Leonidas include inexperienced soldiers in the three hundred?

5. The three hundred and their allies are to be met by a thousand heavy infantry from Phokis and Lokris. What do they find instead?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what the author means when he calls the 300 an all-sire unit.

2. Why do the Spartans decide to send only 300 men?

3. How is the 300 man force composed?

4. How is Rooster spared and why?

5. What causes Xerxes to decide to stay in Greece and complete his campaign?

6. What kinds of items do the Spartan soldiers carry with them?

7. What occurs at Thermopylae during the wait for the Persians?

8. Describe what the Persians do to the body of the Spartan king, Leonidas.

9. Describe the first day of battle.

10. Why do the Persian soldiers not hinder the Greeks in their escape?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Xeones describes several things that are common to ancient warfare, such as smoke and fire, rape, and the mutilation of the enemy dead. What other factors are common to ancient warfare? Why do these things occur in ancient times? Do they still happen today? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

1. In ancient Sparta, as well as today, soldiers are trained by simulating real battle conditions. During these training exercises, soldiers can undergo severe physical and mental stress, and can actually die from the training, or in training accidents. What other disadvantages might there be to of such training methods? What are the benefits?

2. How are the training methods of the ancient Spartans like the methods used my most of the world today? How are they different?

Essay Topic 3

Xeones denounces Xerxes as a poor king. Why does Xoenes feel that Xerxes is a poor king? How does Xeones describe a good king? In your own words, describe Xerxes as a king, and tell whether you think he is a good king or not, and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample