Battle of Thermopylae
Thermopylae, Greece
What happened
King Leonidas of Sparta led a small allied Greek force, including soldiers from Thespiae and Thebes, against the invading army of the Persian King Xerxes I. The Greeks guarded a narrow road between the mountains and the sea called Thermopylae. For two days, Persian attacks could not get through the gap. Then Persian elite troops took a mountain path at night and came up behind the Greeks; most of the Greek army left, while the Spartans, Thespians and Thebans stayed, and Leonidas died in the final fighting.
Why it matters
Result: Persian victory. Leaders: Leonidas I of Sparta / Demophilus of Thespiae against Xerxes / Mardonius. Why it matters: Holding the pass protected the Greek fleet fighting at nearby Artemisium from being attacked from behind. The story of the stand at Thermopylae became one of the most famous in Greek history.
What came next
With the pass lost, the Greek fleet withdrew, and the Persians went on to capture Athens. Greek fortunes turned weeks later at the naval battle of Salamis.
Did you know?
Thermopylae means 'hot gates', a name that comes from a sulfur spring nearby.
Timeline
- Summer 480 BCEXerxes leads a large army into Greece.
- 480 BCEXerxes waits four days at Thermopylae so his attack can be timed with the sea battle at Artemisium.
- Days 1-2Persian attacks fail to break through the narrow pass.
- Night of day 2Persian elite troops take a mountain path around the Greek position.
- September 480 BCEAfter the pass falls, the Persians move south and capture Athens.