Battle of Thermopoly

The Battle of Thermopylae took place during the Greece-Persia war in 480 BCE. The Spartan King Leonidas led the army to the pass at Thermopylae, the main passage from northern into central Greece. One of the best points at which to hold off an invader was at Thermopylae, a narrow valley adjacent to the sea. The attacker could not pass to the seaward side, and to go inland would mean a significant detour. Other armies could risk this, but Xerxes could not. On the other hand, a defender could take a stand with comparatively few men.

The Greek strategy was to delay the land force and to defeat the Persians at sea. It should have worked, but from the beginning everything seemed to go wrong. On the other side, King Xerxes had excellent information and knew that the Greeks were waiting for him. He set up camp on the plain below the pass. He was confident since the army was so large that they out number the Greeks who only had 7,000 to their 250,000 men army. Xerxes sent scouts to spy on the Greeks. The scouts were astounded to see the Spartans combing their hair and oiling their bodies. Xerxes could not believe they intended to fight against hopeless odds. He announced his presence and waited four days for them to leave. Leonidas

The Greeks did not leave. Inpatient, and aware of his supply situation, Xerxes ordered an attack on the fifth day. He sent the Medes against the Greeks, ordering Spartans be taken alive, so confident he was of easy victory. The Spartans retreated, running away, even to the point of turning their backs on the enemy. The Medes, sure that they were winning the victory they had expected, whereupon the Spartans turned and fought savagely. After sharp fighting, the Medes were defeated. Xerxes now sent in the Immortals, his best troops. The Spartans employed the same strategy, with the same results. Xerxes was furious. Another day's fighting yielded no better for the Persians. The fighting was all the more remarkable. The sole purpose now for the battle was to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

At this point, treachery undid their heroic efforts.

Ephialtes, a Greek traitor, went to King Xerxes and told him that he knew of a path that went around the Greek position and debouched behind their lines. After initial skepticism, Xerxes discovered the man was telling the truth. He made his preparations.

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