In short
In 480 BC, a small Greek force of around 7,000 hoplites held off a much larger Persian army at Thermopylae, a narrow mountain pass in central Greece. Led by King Leonidas I of Sparta and his 300 elite warriors, they delayed the Persian advance for three days before being outflanked and destroyed. Though a tactical defeat, the stand became a symbol of Greek resistance that helped galvanize the broader campaign against Persian invasion.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The Battle of Thermopylae was fought in 480 BC at Thermopylae between the Achaemenid Persian Empire under Xerxes and an alliance of Greek city-states led by Sparta under Leonidas I. Lasting over the course of three days, it was one of the most prominent battles of both the second Persian invasion of Greece and the wider Greco-Persian Wars.
As it was happening
8 voices, 61 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Persian army reaches Thermopylae
Xerxes I's invasion force arrives at the pass held by Greek alliance forces under Leonidas I.
As it was happening
8 voices, 61 days.
Day 0 · September 1, 480
Persian army reaches Thermopylae
Xerxes I's invasion force arrives at the pass held by Greek alliance forces under Leonidas I.
Day 0 · September 1, 480
First day of battle
Persian frontal assaults fail repeatedly against the narrow pass. Greek phalanx formation proves effective in confined terrain. Heavy Persian casualties.
“Xerxes I's invasion force arrives at the pass held by Greek…”
- Persian army reaches Thermopylae, Sep 1
“Persian frontal assaults fail repeatedly against the narrow…”
- First day of battle, Sep 1
Day 1 · September 2, 480
Second day of fighting
Persians maintain pressure. Greek lines hold but begin to show fatigue. Xerxes reportedly asks advisors why his large force cannot break through.
“Persians maintain pressure.”
- Second day of fighting, Sep 2
Day 2 · September 3, 480
Outflanking march discovered
Local resident Ephialtes reveals a mountain path (the Anopaea path) that allows Persian forces to outflank the Greek position from the rear.
Day 2 · September 3, 480
Leonidas learns of encirclement
Greek scouts report the outflanking movement. Leonidas orders most forces to withdraw. He and approximately 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and others remain to hold the pass and cover the retreat.
Day 2 · September 3, 480
Final stand and annihilation
Remaining Greek forces fight to the death as Persians attack from front and rear simultaneously. Leonidas is killed. The pass is lost.
“Greek scouts report the outflanking movement.”
- Leonidas learns of encirclement, Sep 3
“Remaining Greek forces fight to the death as Persians…”
- Final stand and annihilation, Sep 3
“Local resident Ephialtes reveals a mountain path (the…”
- Outflanking march discovered, Sep 3
Day 19 · September 20, 480
Battle of Salamis
Greek naval forces defeat Persian fleet near Athens, halting Xerxes' invasion momentum and contributing to eventual Persian withdrawal.
“Greek naval forces defeat Persian fleet near Athens,…”
- Battle of Salamis, Sep 20
Day 61 · November 1, 480
Battle of Plataea
Greek alliance defeats remaining Persian ground forces, effectively ending the invasion of Greece.
“Greek alliance defeats remaining Persian ground forces,…”
- Battle of Plataea, Nov 1
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Sources & citations.
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Where this came from.
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Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)
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