The Warrior Ethos
The Warrior Ethos
Steven Pressfield
Where does the warrior ethos come from, where did it begin and who started this way of life? That is one of the few things Pressfield explains in this book. Does it come from the parents, society, or is it taught? What forms of training really work when it comes to teaching this so called warrior ethos? Well this book explains throughout history the different types of warriors and how each group of warriors tried to influence and teach this way of life. If a mother in todays time and day acted like a mother from the Spartan era she would be considered unfit. Why is that? Pressfield explains how mothers would send their newborn sons to be inspected and if found unfit then they would be left for the wolves. He says the most famous of the Spartan mothers is the one who handed her son the shield and said “Come back with this or on it.” The warrior ethos is not just in men. It’s said Leonidas picked his 300 men not because of their strength or warrior mentality but for the strength and courage of their women. Although the warrior ethos seems like there is no fear, Pressfield says the warrior ethos has evolved as a counterpoise to fear. He says Alexander the Great stayed up for nights sacrificing to the god of fear because ancient war was characterized by fear. The warrior ethos has evolved to counter the instinct of self-preservation. This helps go against the natural impulse to flee from danger. I can relate to this because as a Marine when the bullets start to fly I can’t just run and hide. I have to be there for the Marine on my left and the Marine on my right. That’s the warrior ethos. The warrior ethos is not just about the individual warrior. It’s about the team, the group, the family. If a Spartan were to lose his helmet or spear they would be charged with merely a fine. If they were to lose their shield then they would be punished with death, because they lost a shield? No, because they just
Steven Pressfield
Where does the warrior ethos come from, where did it begin and who started this way of life? That is one of the few things Pressfield explains in this book. Does it come from the parents, society, or is it taught? What forms of training really work when it comes to teaching this so called warrior ethos? Well this book explains throughout history the different types of warriors and how each group of warriors tried to influence and teach this way of life. If a mother in todays time and day acted like a mother from the Spartan era she would be considered unfit. Why is that? Pressfield explains how mothers would send their newborn sons to be inspected and if found unfit then they would be left for the wolves. He says the most famous of the Spartan mothers is the one who handed her son the shield and said “Come back with this or on it.” The warrior ethos is not just in men. It’s said Leonidas picked his 300 men not because of their strength or warrior mentality but for the strength and courage of their women. Although the warrior ethos seems like there is no fear, Pressfield says the warrior ethos has evolved as a counterpoise to fear. He says Alexander the Great stayed up for nights sacrificing to the god of fear because ancient war was characterized by fear. The warrior ethos has evolved to counter the instinct of self-preservation. This helps go against the natural impulse to flee from danger. I can relate to this because as a Marine when the bullets start to fly I can’t just run and hide. I have to be there for the Marine on my left and the Marine on my right. That’s the warrior ethos. The warrior ethos is not just about the individual warrior. It’s about the team, the group, the family. If a Spartan were to lose his helmet or spear they would be charged with merely a fine. If they were to lose their shield then they would be punished with death, because they lost a shield? No, because they just