n he
raised such a prodigious army, that it was almost impossible to describe
it; the number of men that composed it seemed sufficient to conquer the
whole world, and all the forces the Grecians were able to raise would
scarcely amount to a hundredth part. Nevertheless, the Grecians held
public councils to consult about their common safety, and they nobly
determined that, as they had hitherto lived free, so they would either
maintain their liberty, or bravely die in its defence.

"In the mean time Xerxes was continually marching forward, and at length
entered the territory of Greece. The Grecians had not yet been able to
assemble their troops or make their preparations, and therefore they
were struck with consternation at the approach of such an army as
attended Xerxes. Leonidas was at that time king of Sparta, and when he
considered the state of affairs, he saw one method alone by which the
ruin of his country, and all Greece, could be prevented. In order to
enter the more cultivated parts of this country, it was necessary for
the Persian army to march through a very rough and mountainous district,
called Thermopylae. There was only one narrow road through all these
mountains, which it was possible for only a very small number of men to
defend for some time against the most numerous army. Leonidas perceived
that, if a small number of resolute men would undertake to defend this
passage, it would retard the march of the whole Persian army, and give
the Grecians time to collect their troops; but who would undertake so
desperate an enterprise, where there was scarcely any possibility of
escaping alive? For this reason, Leonidas determined to undertake the
expedition himself, with such of the Spartans as would voluntarily
attend him, and to sacrifice his own life for the preservation of his
country.

"With this design he assembled the chief persons of Sparta, and laid
before them the necessity of defending the pass of Thermopylae. They were
equally convinced of its importance, but knew not where to find a man
of such determined valour as to undertake it. 'Then,' said Leonidas,
'since there is no more worthy man ready to perform this service, I
myself will undertake it, with those who will voluntarily accompany me.'
They were struck with admiration at his proposal, and praised the
greatness of his mind, but set before him the certain destruction which
must attend him. 'All this,' said Leonidas, 'I have already considered;