Thermopylae - Ancient Rites

Sons of Laconia, under Lycurgian law

300 noblemen, ancient world in awe

Facing Xerxes might, no hope for victory

Still Persian blood coloured the Aegian Sea

Go, tell the Spartans, stranger passing by

That here, obedient to their laws, we lie

Lacedaemon’s mothers gave birth to men

Withstanding thousends again and again

None will behold the Eurotas Valley no more

This sacrifice needed to silence Persia’s roar

No matter how fierce the spirit or mind

Blades striking, the kings' heart declined

Round he spun, and down he fell

No scream, no word, no cowardice yell

Symbolic sacrifice, all for the Hellenic land

Spartan codes of honour and inspiring guiding hand

No Spartiate soul left alive to tell

How bravely they fought, by treason they fell

Not a stone on their turf, nor a bone in their graves

They live on in history that immortally saves

Go, tell the Spartans, stranger passing by

That here, obedient to their laws, we lie