[DeaconBenjamin]

Reminds me of the Gonzales flag, from the Texas War for Independence. I guess at least one of those good ol' boys must have been a classical scholar.

[Ciexyz]

There's a great audiobook on this topic, the Spartan's stand at the Hot Gates (Thermopolae), read by Derek Jacobi of "I, Claudius" and "Gladiator" fame. Written by a wonderful American writer, the same guy who wrote "The Legend of Bagger Vance". I listened to it and passed it on to other "Gladiator" fans.

[DeaconBenjamin]

The Gonzales Flag, which flew over Fort Gonzales, Texas in 1835. The Mexican Army wanted a cannon back that had been given by the Mexican government to the fort to protect itself, so the fort sent them a message, "Come and take it!", and then fashioned a flag with the defiant message. The Battle of Gonzales began the Texas Revolution. This flag is THE first ever flag to show the Texas Lone Star.