DID 300 SPARTANS HOLD OFF A PERSIAN ARMY OF MILLIONS?
Who can forget the narrative of the 300 Spartans who held the pass of Thermopylae from the east three times from hordes? Films such as 2006’s 300 continue to deliver this landmark moment in early Greek history. They highlight themes central to the struggle, including freedom against oppression and courage in the face of insurmountable odds.
But did 300 Spartans make a last stand against King Xerxes’s massive army of countless? Here is what we know about the Greek and Spartan sacrifice which happened.
THE PERSIAN INVASION OF GREECE
In 480 B.C., King Xerxes I of Persia had an ax to grind with the Greek city-states. His father King Darius invaded what’s modern-day Greece in 492 B.C. This invasion included two campaigns, leading to a decisive Athenian (Greek) success during the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.
Darius had hoped to kill two birds with one stone. He desired to punish the Greeks for their support of the cities of Ionia (in modern-day Turkey) during a revolt against Persian rule. He saw a chance to expand his empire.
Before he could lay siege to the mainland and the Peloponnese after the defeat of the Persians at Marathon Darius died. The son took up his dad’s grudge after Xerxes succeeded him and was determined to conquer the Greeks once and for all.
THE GREEKS UNITE
They vied amongst themselves and fought Even though the residents of the several shared some cultural similarities. These differences contributed to competitions like warfare in addition to the Olympics. One of the most were those of Sparta and Athens.
The depiction of the Battle of the Thermopylae, John Steeple Davis (1844-1917)
The Athenians were warriors with a Navy that is distinguished, nevertheless, they fostered a profound appreciation for poetry philosophy and artwork. The Spartans found these pursuits littered, embracing an approach to life. The outcome? Among the most brutal cultures.
All differences were laid aside in defense of the homeland Since the Persians advanced on Greece, however. As allies, they quickly determined the perfect location to hold off the advancing Persian army was the territory pass of Thermopylae–“The Hot Gates”. Located only 40 miles from the narrow strait between Euboea and the mainland, local geography naturally augmented the place, which makes it nearly impenetrable save for a little footpath. The Greeks wagered that this vulnerability could remain a secret, although this footpath could enable an enemy force to outflank the defenders.
Learn More: DEBUNKING THE FIVE SECOND RULE
THE LAST STAND AT THERMOPYLAE
Due to this force’s size, the Persian progress moved at a leisurely rate. By the time they reached Mount Olympus, months had passed. It was an inconvenient time of year for the Spartans, August.
Sparta held their Carneia and Olympics during this month and believed these events could offend the gods. With the progress of a force, breaking up the gods was. A compromise had to be reached.
Because of this, the military that is full couldn’t advance towards Thermopylae. Rather, their king, Leonidas, took little force of 300 combat-hardened veterans. With this compromise, the veterans set out together with slaves, or 300 Helots.
The 300 hoplites never meant to hold the pass. They relied on 700 warriors from 440 and Thespiae to fill their positions. Leonidas controlled thousands of troops when coupled with Greek forces that met up at Thermopylae.
Depiction of a warrior and a hoplite fighting with each other.
A NUMBERS GAME
Soldiers died and fought at Thermopylae? The first source material about the last stand of the Spartans comes from Herodotus from the 4th century B.C. He maintained that the Persian forces numbered about two million strong, but historians now suggest the forces of Xerxes were between 300,000 and 100,000.
As for the Greeks? The troops that were combined numbered between 7,000 and 4,000. On the last day of the battle, however, Leonidas dismissed all the military after learning that the Persians had discovered the”secret” path. According to legend, his countrymen were betrayed by Ephialtes. Forming a rearguard of about 1,500 men, his troops and Leonidas fought into the death, sacrificing their forces at a stall tactic that would allow the majority of the army that was retreating to escape. Even the Persians outnumbered almost 100 to one to them.
Leonidas at Thermopylae by Jacques Louis David
Thermopylae became a rallying cry for Greek forces that later defeated the Persians and sent them eastward once again in the Battles of Salamis and Plataea in 479 B.C.
Facts Check: Uber Fake
