Having been turned back at marathon in 490 bc, persian forces returned to greece ten years later to avenge their defeat and conquer the peninsula. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free. After three days resisting the much larger persian army of xerxes i, greek forces were betrayed by ephialtes and sent into retreat by their leader, leonidas, who died during a final stand. This is a professional historians view of not just the battle of thermopylae itself, but the context of the greek and persian worlds it fit into. Nov 30, 2017 the british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. Demophilos is immortalised in many books and movies. Thermopylae and the book of esther associates for biblical. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 bc, in which an outnumbered greek force probably of seven thousand including the famous 300 spartans, 500 warriors from tegea, 500 from mantinea, 120 from arcadian orchomenos, from the rest of arcadia, 200 from phlius, 80 from mycenae, 400 corinthians, 400 thebans, phocians and the opuntian locrians held off. The contingent of 700 thespians, led by their general demophilus, refused to leave and committed themselves to the fight.
It is one of historys most acclaimed battles, one of. The battle of thermopylae is one of the most widely known battles of ancient history. He and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along with the 300 spartans at the last stand and all were killed. Internet archive book images commons war during the olympics. During the persian invasion of 480 bc thespiaes ability to field a substantial force of hoplites had changed. Review written 01252019 this book is a history of the battle of thermopylae and the second greek and persian war. However, a contingent of about 700 thespians, led by general demophilus, the son of diadromes. Apr 17, 20 the year was 480 bc and the battle of thermopylae was about to commence. In addition, the battle has been taught in military academies as an example of how a small welltrained group of resolute warriors can defend their position against a.
He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae, but also of the whole war in which it took place. This is a great film but there is more to this battle than meets the eyes, this being said the outline of the film does depict one famous part of the. The spartan and thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie the 300 spartans starring richard egan. Battle of thermopylae wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by. Demophilus and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, in august or september 480 bc, at the pass of thermopylae the hot gates. But the greeks, led by king leonidas and a small army of spartans, took the battle to the persians at thermopylae and halted their advance, almost. Sparta was a military citystate with two kings that claimed to be the descendent of the demigod hercules. The year was 480 bc and the battle of thermopylae was about to commence.
The absence of the greek army, from a battle at a site as significant to the national psyche as thermopylae, was controversial within greece, as general georgios tsolakoglou had already capitulated. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. Battle of thermopylae, august 480 bc military history. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. Demophilus and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along with the 300 spartans at the last stand, all were killed. Responding, an alliance of greek citystates, led by athens and sparta, assembled a fleet and an army to oppose the invaders.
Nov 16, 2019 zack snyders 2007 fantasy historical film, 300, has probably made the battle of thermopylae one of the most famous battles of the ancient world. Thermopylae battle 480 bc herodotus history greece private tours. Mar 12, 2019 the battle of thermopylae, fought between the greeks and the persians in 480 bce, has gone down in history as one of the most significant last stands of all time, despite the fact the hero, the greeks, walked away from this battle defeated and on the brink of complete destruction. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at. Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so.
Moont kallidromon on the left, an the wide coastal plain formed bi accretion o fluvial deposits ower the centuries. The battle of thermopylae august 480 bc is one of the most famous military defeats in history, and is best known for the fate of the 300 spartans, killed alongside 700 thespians on the final day of the battle grecopersian wars. Vastly outnumbered, the greeks delayed the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. Many will know of the battle of thermopylae as it was made famous by the film 300 which depicts a small number of greek forces under the leadership of leonidas battling against thousands of persian warriors. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta. The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king. The heavily outnumbered spartans holding the persian army at thermopylae has become a symbol of bravery, heroism and sacrifice. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and. Bantam acclaimed bestselling historical novel set in ancient greece and culminating in the battle of thermopylae. Thermopylae kolonos hill and the 300 spartans 5 the battlefield and the greek defences duration.
The battle of thermopylae kindle edition by charles river editors. This website is dedicated to king leonidas, the 300 spartans, 700 thespians and other greek warriors who fought to the death during the battle of thermopylae hot gates in august, 480 b. The battle of thermopylae has been an integral part of the curriculum of many high schools, colleges and universities around the world. A captivating guide to one of the greatest battles in ancient history. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle. In 480 bc 200 spartan warriors face the invading persian army a massive force reputed to number over one million men. Jan 07, 2016 the battle of thermopylae is one of the most widely known battles of ancient history. So the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component.
King leonidas i was dispatched from sparta with only his royal bodyguard of 300 men to help him stop the oncoming persian invasion, led by xerxes i. Battle of thermopylae in the persian wars thoughtco. The battle of thermopylaes political origins can be traced back to xerxes predecessor, darius i the great, who sent heralds to greek cities in 491 bce in the hopes of persuading them to accept persian authority. Apr 27, 2008 battle of thermopylae 480 bc part 1 of 3. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than. However, the film has more fantasy than history in it. However, a contingent of about 700 thespians, led by general demophilus, the. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. In this lesson students learn about the historical background to the battle and are asked to ponder some of its legacy, including how history is reported and interpreted from different perspectives. As long as they could prevent further persian advance into greece, they had no requirement to seek a decisive battle, and could thus remain on the defensive. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece.
In 490 the persian emperor darius had sent an invasion force across the aegean to punish eretria and athens for their support of the ionian revolt. Battlebox the battle of thermopylae of 480 bc set an alliance of greek citystates against an invading persian army. Thespiae and thebes were the only boeotian cities to send a contingent to fight at thermopylae, thespiae sending a force of 700 hoplites who remained to fight beside the spartans on the final day of the battle. Demophilos, according to herodotus, was the commander of a contingent of 700 thespians at the battle of thermopylae 480 bc. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the greatest battles in history. The spartan and thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie the 300 spartans starring richard egan, along with many other mediums consisting of. The new zealand armys 2nd infantry division under lieutenantgeneral bernard freyberg was given the task of defending the pass, while elements of.
The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. The ancient greek traveler and geographer pausanias. The battle of thermopylae is believed to have been fought in august 480 bc, during the persian wars 499 bc449 bc. Battle of thermopylae wikipedia republished wiki 2. The battle of thermopylae august 480 bc is one of the most famous military defeats in history, and is best known for the fate of the 300 spartans, killed alongside 700 thespians on the final day of the battle. Based on information from herodotuss the histories book vii, the date of.
The battle of thermopylae is an epic 480 bc clash between persian emperor xerxes and spartan. In the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc, an alliance of south greek citystates fought the invading persian army in the pass of thermopylae. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. To the west2 of thermopylae rises a high mountain inaccessible and precipitous, a spur of. Artistic representation of the battle of thermopylae. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. Ive been interested in the thermopylae battle lately. Here is a little excerpt from the book about the battle. But most peoples image of this battle isnt what actually happened at thermopylae two and a half millennia ago.