Battle of thermopoly

• In what year did the Battle of Thermopylae take place?


  480 BC
• Why is the Battle of Thermopylae significant in Spartan history?


  It is the most famous battle in Spartan history despite their defeat.
• Who is the main source for the account of the Battle of Thermopylae?

  Herodotus
• What type of sources did Herodotus use for his account of the battle?


  He based his account on a number of different spoken sources.
• How did the Spartans' view of the battle influence Herodotus' account?


  His account reflects the version of events that the Spartans chose to remember and idealize.
• Who led the Persian forces during the invasion of Greece?

  Xerxes
• How many Greek cities chose to fight against the Persian invasion?

  About thirty out of several hundred.
• What was the name of the narrow pass where the battle took place?

  Thermopylae
• What does the name 'Thermopylae' mean?


  'Hot gates', referring to the area's hot springs.
• How many men did the Spartans contribute to the advance party at Thermopylae?


  300 men
• What was a requirement for the Spartans who fought at Thermopylae?


  They had to be fathers of living sons.
• What strategy did the Greeks employ to prepare for the Persian advance?


  They rebuilt an old wall at the narrowest point of the pass.
• What did Xerxes do when he was unsure how to proceed against the Greeks?


  He summoned his adviser, Demaratus.
• Who was Demaratus?


  A former Spartan king who defected to the Persians.
• What warning did Demaratus give to Xerxes about the Spartans?


  They would not accept terms that meant slavery for Greece and would fight even if others submitted.
• How did Xerxes react to Demaratus' warning about the Spartans?


  He laughed at Demaratus' warning.
• What did the Persian spy report back to Xerxes about the Spartans?


  That the Spartans were preparing for battle by combing their hair.
• What was the outcome of the first day of battle?

  The Persians suffered heavy losses.
• What tactic did the Spartans use during the battle?


  They pretended to withdraw to lure in more enemies.
• What did Xerxes do while watching the battle?


  He jumped up in terror three times.
• How did the Persian elite troops fare on the second day of battle?


  They fared little better and suffered heavy losses.
• Who betrayed the Greeks by revealing a path to the Persians?

  Ephialtes
• What did Xerxes do after learning about the mountain path?


  He sent elite troops to attack the Greeks from the rear.
• What did the Greek forces learn on the third day of battle?


  They were about to be surrounded.
• What was the fate of the remaining Spartans during the final engagement?


  They fought bravely but were ultimately killed.
• How did Dienekes exemplify Spartan courage before the battle?


  He remarked that if the Persians hid the sun, they would fight in the shade.
• What did the Delphic Oracle predict for Sparta?


  That they would either be conquered or mourn the death of a king.
• What did Xerxes order to be done with Leonidas' body after the battle?


  It was decapitated and displayed on a stake.
• How did the Spartans' actions at Thermopylae influence other Greeks?


  They inspired the other Greeks for the coming battles despite their defeat.
• What inscription was set up to commemorate the Spartans at Thermopylae?


  Go tell the Spartans, you who read, we took their orders, and here lie dead.
• How did Herodotus gather information about the Spartan soldiers after the battle?


  He learned the names of every Spartan soldier and their fathers' names.
• What did Pausanias report about the memorial in Sparta centuries later?


  A memorial with the names of the 300 Spartans was still in place.