Honor to those who defended Thermopylae.

In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek-city states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous battles. A small force of 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Medes (Persians) could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Efialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. The Persians finally succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks (See classic historian Herodoto and author Paul Cartledge, Thermopylae).

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. Even more, both ancient and modern writers used it as an example of the superior power of a volunteer army of freemen defending native soil. The sacrifice of the Spartans has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result, including some Hollywood films.

What matters about this legend has nothing to see with Sparta and the best documented history. It is a moral lesson. Paradox of the history, 300 Spartan men fought for a greater and more universal cause than the Sparta city they thought to be defending. What these 300 men showed was that  the freedom of a society, which majority is usually silent, unaware or complacently seduced by the "status quo" of a state, is saved almost always by the courage of a few who dare to fight against an overwhelming enemy, against something that seems unavoidable, against all odds, against what is predicted, against what seems advisable and wise for most men.

There are a lot of Thermopylae battles: as many as the times when the rights of the society need to be defended against the history, knowing that the battle one is greatly outnumbered. And the noble character of these battles is not achieved by the results but by the fact that a minority resisted.

It is almost a miracle to me that Íslandshreyfingin -Lifandi Land, a political party born 23 March 2007 could challenge, fight and resist with such an honor in the unequal battle that these elections have been. A small group of courageous people with no funding who fought hard against all predictions, betrayed before the public; in order to defend the rights of the whole society, the right of all Icelanders, including the future generations, to their unspoiled nature, to a different future.

Nothing better than the poem written by the Greek author Kavafis in 1903 on Thermopylae to honor those who fight against all odds...

"Honor to those who in their life
Have laid down and defend Thermopylae
Never moving away from this Cause;

And even more honor do they deserve when they foresee,
and many do foresee,
that Efialtes will appear in the end
and the Medes shall finally pass."