The battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC has become the archetype for the courageous last stand. Battle of Thermopylae is a symbol of courage and patriotism. Battle of Thermopylae summary. After three days of holding their own against the Persian king Xerxes I and his vast southward-advancing army, the Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians were able to outflank them. Battle in northern Greece (480 BC) in the Persian Wars. Widely considered to be some of the best archers of the time, their attacks were considered key in many of the great battle the Persian warriors fought throughout history. But Xerxes’s campaign came to a juddering stop when his army reached the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece, where he found a Greek army waiting, led by the Spartan king Leonidas. Cavalry, usually operating on the flanks of the main battle, were used to mop up opposing infantry put in disarray after they had been subjected to repeated salvos from the archers. Named the “Immortals” by Herodotus, this army consisted of a heavy infantry of 10,000 men, that never reduced in number or strength. The Persian cavalry were armed as the foot soldiers, with a bow and an additional two javelins for throwing and thrusting. The Battle of Thermopylae is an epic 480 BC clash between Persian Emperor Xerxes and Spartan King Leonidas. This was the Battle of Thermopylae, a moment which came to define the struggles of the Greek city-states in their wars against the vast Persian Empire. Battle of Thermopylae facts, myths, legends, map, pictures and statistics. September 2014. They used the mountains behind them to protect their main forces in which the remaining Spartans could come behind and not be flanked by the opposing army. Battle in northern Greece (480 BC) in the Persian Wars. The Greek forces, mostly Spartan, were led by Leonidas . Battle of Thermopylae summary. The Greek forces, were led by Leonidas. King Xerxes. The performance of the defenders 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. Start studying Persian Wars. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae in 480 BCE during the Persian Wars. While the Spartan-led Greeks lost at Thermopylae, their decision to stand together against enormous odds strengthened an otherwise shaky coalition. The Battle of the Persian Gate was a military conflict between a Persian force, commanded by the satrap of Persis, Ariobarzanes, and the invading Hellenic League, commanded by Alexander the Great.In the winter of 330 BC, Ariobarzanes led a last stand of the outnumbered Iranian forces at the Persian Gates near Persepolis, holding the Macedonian army for a month. The Battle of Thermopylae [thər móppəlee ] (Template:Lang-el) took place over three days during the second Persian invasion of Greece. The first Persian Empire (550 BC – 330 BC), called the Achaemenid Empire, is known for having an elite force of soldiers. Cavalry, usually operating on the flanks of the main battle, were used to mop up opposing infantry put in disarray after they had been subjected to … The Persian Army was made up of armies from many subject nations, ... Holding the pass at Thermopylae was used to force a naval battle. Battle of Thermopylae is most famous for the last stand of 300 Spartans though it is not known by many that it also involved 1100 warriors from other Greek states. A storm reduced the Persian naval forces to around 500 serviceable warships, but this was still a comfortable advantage in numbers. was a king of the city-state of Sparta from about 490 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae facts, myths, legends, map, pictures and statistics. until his death at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Persian army in 480 B.C. The Greek forces, were led by Leonidas. After three days of holding their own against the Persian king Xerxes I and his vast southward-advancing army, the Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians were able to outflank them. A storm reduced the Persian naval forces to around 500 serviceable warships, but this was still a comfortable advantage in numbers. Persian Weapons and Armour. 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.C. Battle of Thermopylae summary. More importantly, they all date to the right period in terms of style. What Spartan King fought in the Battle of Thermopylae? King Leonidas and 300 Spartans against million Persian army. Even though it wasn’t a victory, it was used to hold up the heroism, endurance, and sacrifice of the 300 Spartans who fell holding off … King Leonidas and 300 Spartans against million Persian army. 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.