Miniature Work table I

The Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BCE during the Greco-Persian Wars. It was a significant clash between the alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I of Sparta, and the Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes I.

The Persian Empire, seeking to expand its territories, launched an invasion of Greece. The Greek city-states formed an alliance to resist the Persian advance. At Thermopylae, a narrow coastal pass in central Greece, the Greeks decided to make a stand and delay the Persian army.

King Leonidas and his force of around 7,000 hoplites from various Greek city-states, including 300 Spartans, held the pass against the massive Persian army estimated to be over 100,000 strong. The rugged terrain of the pass negated the numerical advantage of the Persians, allowing the Greeks to effectively defend the narrow passage.

For several days, the Greeks held off wave after wave of Persian attacks. The Spartans, renowned for their military prowess, fought valiantly at the forefront. However, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that could be used to flank them.

Realizing the situation, King Leonidas ordered most of the Greek forces to withdraw, while he and a small contingent of Spartans remained to fight to the death. The Greeks fought with great bravery but were ultimately overwhelmed by the Persians. King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans were among those who perished.

Although the Greeks lost the Battle of Thermopylae, their resistance bought valuable time for the rest of Greece to prepare for the Persian invasion. Eventually, the Greeks emerged victorious in the larger conflict, defeating the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea the following year.

The Battle of Thermopylae became a symbol of bravery and sacrifice, showcasing the Greek warrior ethos. It has been celebrated throughout history and immortalized in literature and popular culture, symbolizing the fight against overwhelming odds and the defense of freedom.