King Leonidas Honors Spartans

The Maine-Endwell Spartans added to their athletic legacy with the dedication of the King Leonidas statue unveiled in front of the high school in ceremonies May 19.

Local businessman Steve Anastos had a dream of recreating the statue that inspired all Spartans.  Anastos, an immigrant from Sparta, Greece, who settled in Endwell and along with his family owns the Broadway Diner, spearheaded fund-raising efforts to build the statue.

King Leonidas was the King of Sparta from about 490 B.C. until his death at the battle of Thermopylae against the Persian Army in 480 B.C..  This was seen as a heroic sacrifice.  Three hundred of his fellow Spartans stayed with him to fight and die.

The inscription on the front of the statue reads in part "all the donors are proud to present this statue that symbolizes love, honor, strength and courage."  Cost of the statue was over $50,000.