So St. Athanasius, by refusing to compromise with Arianism, was intransigent, possibly stubborn and proud as well?

NO!

When you're dealing with error, and/or the devil, there is only one stand to take -- 100% against. That seems "extreme" but only to a fool. You have to be EXTREMELY against error and EXTREMELY for Christ, as the saints were.

The Saints were extreme in their penance and prayer -- but they gained heaven, so it's good to be extreme in some things.

Compromise is not one of the virtues, sorry.

Matthew