Gates of Fire: Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

On Xeo’s family’s farm lived a slave named Bruxieus, beloved and deferred to by the entire family. Bruxieus was captured and partially blinded by the Argives in his youth and was acquired by Xeo’s father past age 40. Xeo believed Bruxieus knew everything and was deeply attached to him. Xeo recalls watching the citizen-soldiers’ summer military drill, concluding with a glorious parade and feast, after which many well-fed, drunken warriors being carted home snoring.

Very early the next morning, Xeo and his cousin 13-year-old Diomache head to town early. Xeo hopes to sell some precious ptarmigan eggs in the market in order to buy himself a flute. But no sooner do they reach the main road than they see fire blazing to the north. The two soon realize that numerous farms have been set on fire.

A platoon of cavalry thunders toward them, and Xeo realizes that their allies, the Argives, have betrayed their city, along with a coalition of allies. He and Diomache hurtle homeward. They suddenly come upon Xeo’s uncle Tenagros, weeping, in his nightshirt. He tells them that Diomache’s mother and Xeo’s parents have all been killed. He angrily crushes Xeo’s ptarmigan eggs and orders the children into town, to get behind the safety of the walls.