Steven Pressfield (born September 1943) is an American author of historical fiction and non-fiction, and screenplays.
Gates of Fire (1998)
- I have always found slaves to be a rather inelegant weapon
- You have never tasted freedom friend, or you would know it is purchased not with gold, but steel.
- If you think this is funny, wait 'till you get into combat. You'll think that's hysterical!
- There is something I must tell you. When Leonidas selected you for the Three Hundred, I went to him in private and argued strenuously against your inclusion. I thought you would not fight. [...] I was wrong.
- I believe him, Dienekes. He's so fucking stupid, this is just the way he would skrew it up.
- This aspis was my father's and his father's before him. I have sworn before God to die before another man took this from my hand. He crossed to the ranks of Thespians, to a man, an obscure warrior among them. Into the fellow's grasp he placed the shield.
- Why have I nominated you, lady, to bear up beneath this most terrible of trials, you and your sisters of the Three Hundred? Because you can.
- Do you love your country? [...] This man, with his life, has preserved it. Bear him with honor.
- Orontes (Handing over Xeones' corpse to Athenian civilians) p. 430
