Gates of Fire

The novel is narrated by Xeones, a perioikos and one of only three Greek survivors of the Battle of Thermopylae. His story is dictated to King Xerxes and transcribed by his court historian, Gobartes. At Thermopylae, the allied Greek nations deployed a small force of four thousand Greek heavy infantry against the invading Persian army of two million strong. Leading the Greeks was a small force of three hundred Spartans, chosen because they were all "sires" — men who had sons who could preserve their blood line, should they fall in battle. the Spartan Captain Polynikes, a young Spartan warrior named Alexandros, and the Spartan officer Dienekes. Pressfield employs detailed descriptions of the Spartan phalanx in battle, as well as the superior training and discipline of the Spartan warriors. ==Reception==

Kirkus Reviews called it "A triumph in historical fiction". ==Canceled film adaptation==

Shortly after the release of the novel, George Clooney's production company, Maysville Pictures, acquired the rights for a film. David Self was brought on to write the screenplay, and Michael Mann was set to direct. The film suffered a troubled production, and Mann departed the project citing creative differences. It was later put on hold due to lukewarm critical reception for historical fiction films such as Troy, Alexander and King Arthur, all released in 2004. After the release and success of 300 (2006), a film also based on the Battle of Thermopylae, plans for the Gates of Fire adaptation were completely scrapped. ==See also==