Battle of Thermopylae

King Xerxes, about a year before he is said to have married Jewish Queen Esther of the Bible, conquered Greece. Even with over 200,000 soldiers, he took heavy losses when he fought 300 Spartan warriors and a few hundred volunteers defending a narrow pass on a beach perhaps 100 meters wide, the length of a football field. The large army needed to take that route to Athens, further south.

Leonidas vs Xerxes

The Battle of Thermopylae was a famous conflict that took place in 480 B.C. between the Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire, ruled by King Xerxes. It is one of the most well-known battles in ancient history due to the bravery and sacrifice of the Greeks.

Thermopylae, which means "Hot Gates," was a narrow pass in central Greece that the Persians needed to cross to invade the rest of the country. The Greek forces were much smaller compared to the massive Persian army, but they chose Thermopylae because the narrow pass limited the number of Persian soldiers who could fight at once, making it easier for the Greeks to defend.

7,000 Greeks, including 300 Spartans

King Leonidas led a small force of about 7,000 Greek soldiers, including 300 Spartans. Despite being outnumbered by tens of thousands of Persians, the Greeks held their ground for three days. They used their knowledge of the terrain and their superior training to inflict heavy casualties on the Persian forces.

Greeks die because of traitor

However, a Greek traitor named Ephialtes showed the Persians a secret path around the pass. This allowed the Persians to surround the Greeks. Realizing that they were trapped, Leonidas dismissed most of the Greek troops, but he and his 300 Spartans, along with a few hundred others, stayed behind to fight to the death.

The Greeks ultimately lost the battle, but their heroic stand inspired all of Greece to unite against the Persian invaders. Although the Persians temporarily won, the Battle of Thermopylae became a symbol of courage and resistance, and the Greeks eventually defeated the Persian Empire in later battles. The story of Thermopylae continues to be celebrated as an example of bravery against overwhelming odds.

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Battle of Thermopylae