Any cool Greek sayings/battle cries?

Darklance · Apr 10, 2002

The Romans had the always classy "For Glory And Honor!"

What cool sayings did the Greeks use?

shilsen · Apr 10, 2002

"Come back with your shield or on it."

I think that one was Spartan, but I'm not sure. It referred to the fact that someone fleeing battle would throw away his shield and someone killed in battle was usually carried back on his shield, so it would be the Hellenic version of "no retreat, no surrender".

Kaptain_Kantrip · Apr 10, 2002

None--it's all Greek to me!

Vhane · Apr 10, 2002

At least we'll be fighting in the shade.

CrazyMage · Apr 10, 2002

Ah, Vhane, you got to tell the whole story for full effect!

According to Herodotus (7.226) as the Greeks were fighting the Persians at Thermopylae, word came to them warning that the Persians were so numerous that when they shot their arrows there were enough to block out the sun. A Greek named Dianeces then commented "If the Persians hide the sun, the battle will be in shade rather than sunlight."

It's great quote, but you kind of need the context to fully appreciate the guts and toughness of these guys.

I thought that someone had written a book about this battle and that it was being made into a movie, which if true should make the opening of Gladiator look like a Sunday picnic. (Don't get me wrong--that was an awesome battle too).

mmadsen · Apr 10, 2002

I thought that someone had written a book about this battle and that it was being made into a movie, which if true should make the opening of Gladiator look like a Sunday picnic. (Don't get me wrong--that was an awesome battle too).

Someone has written a book about Thermopylae. It's called Gates of Fire, and they are making a movie out of it. The book, by the way, was excellent.

CrazyMage · Apr 10, 2002

Hey, that's the book! Thanks. I will have to check it out.

adndgamer · Apr 10, 2002

I like this thread.

Love that "Well, at least we'll be fighting in the shade" quote

My favorite latin quote (I know, not Greek...) is, "Audentes fortuna iuvat." Which translates to "Fortune favors the brave."

Vhane · Apr 10, 2002

"He who has steel has bread." and

"Tis better to spend one day as a lion than a life as a lamb."

B. Mussolinni(sp)

Creeping Death · Apr 10, 2002

Latin after the battle victory saying.

Not Greek and not a battle cry but close enough. This is in latin

Veni Vedi Veci

I came, I saw, I conquered.