The Battle of Thermopylae was a battle in 480 BCE in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae. It was fought between
Did the battle of 300 really happen?
Like the comic book, the “300” takes inspirations from the real Battle of Thermopylae and the events that took place in the year of 480 BC in ancient Greece.
Did Thermopylae really happen?
The Battle of Thermopylae (/θərˈmɒpɪliː/ thər-MOP-i-lee; Greek: Μάχη τῶν Θερμοπυλῶν, Máchē tōn Thermopylōn) was fought in 480 BC between the Achaemenid Persian Empire under Xerxes I 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
What really happened at the Battle of Thermopylae?
The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval Battle of Artemisium on 20 August or 8–10 September, 480 BC. An alliance of Greek city-states of about 6,700 men fought the invading Persian Empire, which had an army of about 242,000 men, at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece.
Did any Spartans survive the Battle of Thermopylae?
Thermopylae. Aristodemus was one of only two Spartan survivors, as he was not present at the last stand.
How true is 300 Spartans?
It is true there were only 300 Spartan soldiers at the battle of Thermopylae but they were not alone, as the Spartans had formed an alliance with other Greek states. It is thought that the number of ancient Greeks was closer to 7,000. The size of the Persian army is disputed.
Were the Spartans really that good?
The Spartan Army
Spartan hoplites were well-trained and the fiercest of the Greek soldiers. Their constant training made them dexterous in the formation of a phalanx. The highlight of the phalanx formation was that the success in the battle was a team effort and no one man could take credit for the victory.
Did the 300 Spartans get betrayed?
The Greek forces, mostly Spartan, were led by Leonidas. After three days of holding their own against the Persian king Xerxes I and his vast southward-advancing army, the Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians were able to outflank them.
How many Spartans survived 300?
Yet there was another man, one of Leonidas’ 300, namely Aristodemus of Sparta, the only survivor of the epic battle. According to the historian Herodotus, there were only three men out of Leonidas’ elite army who did not fight in the epic battle.
How tall was Xerxes in the movie 300?
In a larger than life battle film like “300,” the villain has to be extra-larger than life. Xerxes, the king of Persia, is portrayed as seven feet tall. Actor Rodrigo Santoro is only 6’2″. Not too shabby, but the other 10 inches are special effects.
Who killed 300 Spartans?
An army of Spartans, Thespians and Thebans remained to fight the Persians. Leonidas and the 300 Spartans with him were all killed, along with most of their remaining allies. The Persians found and beheaded Leonidas’ corpse–an act that was considered to be a grave insult.
How long did the 300 Spartans last?
three days
One of the all-time great stories of ancient history involved the defense of Thermopylae, when a narrow pass was held for three days against a vast Persian army by just 300 Spartans, 299 of whom perished.
What if the 300 Spartans won?
The year is 480. Three hundred Spartans, joined by a small force of Greeks, defend the mountain pass of Thermopylae against the invading Persians. If the 300 Spartans had stayed home and if Persians had won the Greco-Persian Wars, the Western concept of freedom most likely would not exist.
Who actually won the Battle of Thermopylae?
Once Leonidas became aware of the gamble, he outflanked the majority of the army, standing against the Persians with his 300 Spartans and a few others. All of them died, and the Persians won the Battle of Thermopylae.
Did all 300 Spartans died at Thermopylae?
An army of Spartans, Thespians and Thebans remained to fight the Persians. Leonidas and the 300 Spartans with him were all killed, along with most of their remaining allies.
What were the odds at the Battle of Thermopylae?
Modern guesstimates by different means arrive at around 200,000. This would still be huge by ancient standards; even half that would leave Leonidas facing odds of 15 to one. By any calculation the Greek stand at Thermopylae was an act of real courage.
Who recorded the Battle of Thermopylae?
Thermopylae (Greek Θερμοπύλαι; “Hot Gates”): small pass in Greece, site of several battles, of which the Spartan defeat against the Persian invaders in 480 is the most famous. The main source for the battle of 480 is Herodotus, Histories, 7.201-233, which is offered here in the translation by G.C.
Did Leonidas actually say come and take them?
Ahead of the battle, it is alleged that the Persian Great King, Xerxes, asked the Spartan king Leonidas to order the Greek men to lay down their weapons. In response, Leonidas replied with two words, molōn labe. Literally read, it means “having come, take”, but conventionally it is translated as “come and take them”.
How many Persians did the 300 defeat?
According to Herodotus the Persians lost 20,000 dead at Thermopylae.