Battle of Thermopylae This is
SPARTA
A
Greek force of approximately 7,
000 men marched north to block the pass in the summer of 480 BC.
The Persian army, alleged by the ancient sources to have numbered over one million but today considered to have been much smaller (various figures are given by scholars ranging between about
100,000 and
150,000 arrived at the pass in late August or early September. The vastly outnumbered
Greeks held off the Persians for seven days (including three of battle) before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history's most famous last stands. During two full days of battle the small force led by
King Leonidas I of
Sparta blocked the only road by which the massive
Persian army could pass. After the second day of battle a local resident named betrayed the Greeks by revealing a small path that led behind the Greek lines.
Leonidas, aware that his force was being outflanked, dismissed the bulk of the
Greek army and remained to guard the rear with
300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400
Thebans and perhaps a few hundred others, most of whom were killed.
After this engagement the Greek navy, under the command of the Athenian politician
Themistocles, at
Artemisium received news of the defeat at
Thermopylae. Since the Greek's strategy required both Thermopyla,e and Artemisium to be held, and given their losses, the withdrawal to Salamis was decided.
The Persians overran
Boeotia and then captured the evacuated
Athens.
The Greek fleet seeking a decisive victory over the
Persian armada, attacked and defeated the invaders at the
Battle of Salamis in late 480 BC. Fearful of being trapped in
Europe,
Xerxes withdrew with much of his army to
Asia (losing most to starvation and disease), leaving to attempt to complete the conquest of
Greece.
The following year, however, saw a Greek army decisively defeat the Persians at the
Battle of Plataea, thereby ending the Persian invasion.
Both ancient and modern writers have used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the power of a patriotic army defending native soil. The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is also used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers and has become a
symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.
- published: 18 Oct 2013
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