Yet the author here praises the Persians a tad too much. Their rule was despotic, and while Cyrus and his heirs could have been benevolent despots, any despotic rule is far more open to tyranny than that of a democratic city state. Persia trumped Greece in wealth, sophisitication, and size and power, but as Steven Pressfield says, through the voice of Dianekes in Gates of Fire,"You have never tasted freedom, else you would know. It is purchased, not with gold, but with steel." That is the lesson of Leonidas and the 300.
Best not to forget. Once forgotten, it's almost pointless to try to teach again.
Our Declaration was penned in his hand.
Excellent post! That quote effectively summarizes the attention and admiration for the Spartans and the battle of Thermopylae.