William Harper

history vocab essay

11/6/14

Gather around my friends and Ill tell you a story, an epic that
creeps from the depths of our myths. My name is Homer, but you must
forgive me but I cant tell you what I saw as I am visually impaired.
Allow the philosophers their thoughts, but allow me my stories for I am
known as the greatest story teller in the history of Greece, no clue why
they call me that, but youre here to listen arent you? Now I must warn
you, my stories arent comedies but great tragedies for the ages. So sadly
my tales wont make you laugh, but they may bring you to tears. Why
are you staring at me as Socrates did? Your eyes betray you; you are
questioning everything I say. So since you doubt me, would you allow me
to tell you a story, maybe I could prove myself to you?
Long after the first Mycenaeans set foot in this land of Greece,
there stood a mighty king in the monarchist polis of Sparta. In the
fortified acropolis stood across from this powerful ruler stood a Persian
emissary, who demanded either surrender or be slaughtered. In that
moment not even the fire dared to crackle, the only noticeable thing was
the scent of aged wine wafting through the halls. Without a moment of
hesitation the king crossed to the invader and whispered Then let them
come, with that he ran the foolish man through with his gladiolus. And
with that single action the Persian war was ignited.

William Harper

history vocab essay

11/6/14

Within a days time the Spartans had called their allies from the
democratic Athenians in their ports to the oligarchic Dorians in the
ruins of troy. The phalanx stood a wall of thousands of soldiers all armed
with gleaming shields and sharpened spears, all ready to fell any
enemies. This war wasnt as long as many would claim, but it saw many
good men die, the Spartan king and his three hundred, the Persian fleet,
and the invading force. Sparing you all the glory details, the Persians
were soundly defeated. The Spartans were the most power land based
military for an age, the Athenians went on to develop direct democracy
allowing all citizens to vote and they decide to forge an unconquerable
navy. These great cities were destined to one day clash in an event that
would come to be known as the Peloponnesian war, but that is a story
involving many a tyrant. But sadly that is a story for another day.