Decisive battles thermopylae greece vs persia youtube. Persian wars battle of thermopylae flashcards quizlet. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, in august or september 480 bc, at. The battle of thermopylae the battle of thermopylae is the most important battle of the persian war because the sacrifice of the men at thermopylae later fueled the greeks to push the persian army back out of their country. An epitaph with a renowned epigram inscribed which was composed by the simonides. The battle for the west is one of those greatly accessible, pleasantly reading, and yet academically meaty history books.
It took place in 479 bc near the city of plataea in boeotia, and was fought between an alliance of the greek citystates including sparta, athens, corinth and megara, and the persian empire of xerxes i allied with boeotians, thessalians, and macedonians. Having been turned back at marathon in 490 bc, persian forces returned to greece ten years later to avenge their defeat and conquer the peninsula. The battle of thermopylae was fought in 279 bc between invading gallic armies and a combined army of greek aetolians, boeotians, athenians, and phocians at thermopylae. The gauls under brennus were victorious, and advanced further into the greek peninsula where they attempted to sack delphi but were completely defeated. As you read herodotus account of xerxes call to arms, pay careful attention to the way herodotus portrays the character of the persian king. Battle of thermopylae facts about one of the most famous battles in world history. The battle of plataea was the final land battle during the second persian invasion of greece. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. Has any archaeological evidence been found of the spartans last stand at thermopylae in 480 bc. Learn how a relatively small group of greek warriors held off the persian army for days, during the grecopersian wars, before making one of the greatest last stands and demonstrations of bravery in history.
The confrontation at thermopylae took place in the late summer of 480. Battle in northern greece 480 bc in the persian wars. Conclusion the battle of thermopylae is known as the most important battle in history. Battlebox the battle of thermopylae of 480 bc set an alliance of greek citystates against an invading persian army. Dont forget that undocumented battles could have happened and not recorded as thermopylae is such a strategic site throughout greek history. He throws down his helmet and shield, but by fraud does throw his spear at xerxes himself, getting his face disfigured. The battle of thermopylae is believed to have been fought in august 480 bc, during the persian wars 499 bc449 bc. Thermopylae is a mountain pass near the sea in northern greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most famous being that. The battle of artemisium, or battle of artemision, was a series of naval engagements over three days during the second persian invasion of greece.
This book is about the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, where 300 spartans fought to the death. But the greeks, led by king leonidas and a small army of spartans, took the battle to the persians at thermopylae and halted their advance, almost. Last stand of the greeks military history animated. Gates of fire is on the commandant of the marine corps reading list. Trinity christian academy historyenglish 9th grade. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. By and large, the battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories was an extremely notable and remarkable battle for the history of the west, as well as the world. Its story is based on the famous battle of thermopylae, quote the battle of thermopylae r. The battle took place simultaneously with the more famous land battle at thermopylae, in august or september 480 bc, off the coast of euboea and was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, including sparta, athens, corinth and others, and. Pragmatism and realism were the national character traits.
At thermopylae a king and three hundred of his soldiers set the standard for battle to the. However, they also knew that this gallant act of courage would pierce through the hearts of their enemies and the cost of their own blood would later give them freedom. The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories essay. It is one of historys most acclaimed battles, one of.
With gerard butler, lena headey, david wenham, dominic west. The greek force was very small but was determined to make a stand against the huge persian army. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. I doubt it could be found as 6 documented battles of thermopylae have occurred throughout history. Given the option by the persian emperor xerxes to live as indentured people under his banner the spartan king leonidas refuses. It took place in a narrow gorge, called thermopylae, where a group of 300 spartan hoplites died heroically, blocking a way to the persian army of the tsar xerxes i. Battle of thermopylae and the story of ephialtes by this. In fact, in many corners of popular culture, the encounter is often depicted as 300 spartans aided by their ragtag group of allies versus over a million persians. The most popular misconception about the battle of thermopylae probably relates to the numbers fielded in the battle.
The greeks chose the narrow pass of thermopylae as the site of the battle in a brilliant strategic move and. Battle of salamis 480 bc persian invasion of greece. It took place over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. Persias huge ships were no match for the athenians small and quick boats. The greek forces, mostly spartan, were led by leonidas. This would give us 1500 300 x 5 helots at thermopylae, but ive seen estimations which say about 900 helots at thermopylae.
How teachers and students can make the quick transition to online learning. Choose from 282 different sets of thermopylae flashcards on quizlet. Led by the spartan king, leonidas, a small force of 300 spartans and 11,000 other allied greeks blocked the only road. Leonidas is a playable character in fategrand order as a lancer class servant and his noble phantasm thermopylae enomotia is the reenactment of the 300 spartans that participated in the battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae between greeks led by leonidas and persians led by xerxes.
This book more than any other book, by far is the best read in a historical novel i have ever read. The battle was the climax of the second persian invasion of greece. The romans were victorious, and as a result, antiochus was forced to flee from greece. Pharaoh, by boleslaw prus, incorporating the labyrinth scenes inspired by herodotus description in book ii of the histories. The plot revolves around king leonidas gerard butler, who leads 300 spartans into battle against the persian godking xerxes rodrigo santoro and his invading army of more than 300,000 soldiers. Battle of thermopylae facts, myths, legends, map, pictures and statistics.
This confidence about the precise dating has lately been. The spartan and thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie the 300 spartans starring richard egan, along with many other mediums consisting of. A captivating guide to one of the greatest battles in ancient history between the spartans and persians. Athens conquered, the athenians and spartans were driven back to their last line of defense at the isthmus of corinth and in the saronic gulf. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free. Gates of fire, by stephen pressfield, has the battle of thermopylae book vii as its centrepiece. Battle of thermopylae, 480 bce, battle in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae during the persian wars. Queen gorgo lena headey was a great character not only in the film but in. He betrayed his homeland, in hope of receiving some kind of reward from the persians, by showing the persian forces a path around the allied greek position at the pass of thermopylae, which. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. In 490 the persian emperor darius had sent an invasion force across the aegean to punish eretria and athens for their support of the ionian revolt. The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king leonidas i of sparta, and the achaemenid empire of xerxes i over. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. After three days resisting the much larger persian army of xerxes i, greek forces were betrayed by ephialtes and sent into retreat by their leader, leonidas, who died during a final stand.
May 31, 2014 decisive battles thermopylae greece vs persia. It was the first major battle of the romanseleucid war. Descriptive texts and many photos of the battlefield and the modern monuments. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. Pages in category battle of thermopylae the following 34 pages are in this category, out of 34 total. Any account of the battle of thermopylae must make mention of the pass which according to herodotus was approximately 50 feet wide in 480 b. Finnuci, began his first class with a vivid description of the battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae parallels the main characters situation, in which they are outnumbered and realize that victory is unattainable but choose to fight for a. Herodotus magnificent writing have vividly explained one of the most exceptional battles, in addition to showing the world the incredible greek society, and the ever so.
The battle of thermopylae charles river editors on. In the battle of plataea there were 5000 spartan hoplites and they had 35,000 helots 5 per each spartiate. The battle of thermopylae has remained a cultural icon of western civilization ever since it was fought. The greeks were defeated at thermopylae battle of thermopylae, although at a great cost to the persians, and a moral victory to the greeks.
Nov 30, 2017 so the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. I am a teacher whose love of history began with a highschool western civilization class. The battle of thermopylae kindle edition by charles river editors. The greeks spartans and allies knew they were outnumbered and hadnt a prayer, so it was no surprise that the persians won the battle of thermopylae. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 bc, in which an outnumbered greek force probably of seven thousand including the famous 300 spartans, 500 warriors from tegea, 500 from mantinea, 120 from arcadian orchomenos, from the rest of arcadia, 200 from phlius, 80 from mycenae, 400 corinthians, 400 thebans, phocians and the opuntian locrians held off. The battle of thermopylae august 480 bc is one of the most famous military defeats in history, and is best known for the fate of the 300 spartans, killed alongside 700 thespians on the final day of the battle.
The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. On the battle of thermopylae itself, two principal sources, herodotus and simonides accounts, survive. The importance of the battle of thermopylae in the persian. Battle of thermopylae is a symbol of courage and patriotism. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under the athenian themistocles, met them by sea, most importantly at artemisium. Greek casualties in the battle of thermopylae during 3 days could be up to 4000 dead soldiers or perhaps even more.
The battle of thermopylae from herodotus the histories. The battle of thermopylae aftermath legio i lynx fulminata. Mar 09, 2010 battle of thermopylae facts, myths, legends, map, pictures and statistics. King leonidas and 300 spartans against million persian army. The battle of thermopylae was the first between the persians and greeks during the persian invasion of 480479 bc. Greatly outnumbered, the greeks delayed the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. Battle of thermopylae, august 480 bc military history. The battle of thermopylae is a battle in september 480 bc during the greekpersian war 480 479 bc. The main characters refer to the battle of thermopylae twice, including right before engaging in a battle they are almost certain to lose.
Explains thermopylaes legacy from both historical and cultural standpoints. King leonidas of sparta and a force of 300 men fight the persians at thermopylae in 480 b. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc,was fought between an alliance of greek citystates and the invading persian army in the pass of thermopylae. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Battle of plataea 479 bc and battle of sphacteria 425 bc duration. The battle that changed the world even the greeks understood it was a suicide operation. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae steven pressfield isbn. Has any archaeological evidence been found of the spartans. Responding, an alliance of greek citystates, led by athens and sparta, assembled a fleet and an army to oppose the invaders. Sources battle of thermopylae 480 bc stories preschool. The main character of the book is a slave who is captured by the spartans.
The battle of thermopylae in 254 was the successful defense of the pass of thermopylae by local greek militia under marianus, the roman proconsul of achaea, during an invasion of the balkans by the goths. We are marching to war at the ideal season of the year. The romans were victorious, and as a result, antiochus was forced to. The dirt of battle is probably still upon leonidas, and there is a dark purple. Discusses all of the colorful quotes and legends about the battle but also analyzes what is historical fact and what is apocryphal fiction. It is taught at west point, the united states naval academy, and at the marine corps the basic school. Even though he is a slave of the spartans, he begins to admire their bravery and courage. Some modern accounts seem to know exactly on what dates the battle fell, because herodotus says 7.
Learn thermopylae with free interactive flashcards. Strategically speaking, the width of the pass was of paramount importance since it negated the strength of the persian army which has been conservatively numbered on average at 200,000 warriors. Though vastly outnumbered, the greeks held back the persian advance until a defector informed the persians of an alternate route, leading to the defeat of the greek army and the sacking of athens. This website is dedicated to king leonidas, the 300 spartans, 700 thespians and other greek warriors who fought to the death during the battle of thermopylae hot gates in august, 480 b. As the battle rages, queen gorgo lena headey attempts to rally support in sparta for her husband. The battle is revisited in countless adages and works of popular culture, such as in films e. He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae, but also of the whole war in which it took place. Ever since battle of thermopylae was fought in 480 bc it stayed an icon of western civilization. The battle of thermopylae is one of the most memorable battles fought during the persian wars. Xerxes tried to humiliate leonidas forcing him to surrender. Creation, by gore vidal, interpreting many scenes from the persian viewpoint. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Battle of thermopylae in popular culture wikipedia. Battle of thermopylae is most famous for the last stand of 300 spartans though it is not known by many that it also involved 1100 warriors from other greek states. The battle of thermopylae parallels the main characters situation, in which they are outnumbered and realize that victory is unattainable but choose to fight for a purpose beyond the battle itself. The battle of thermopylae was fought in 191 bc between a roman army led by consul manius acilius glabrio and a seleucid force led by king antiochus iii the great. The encounter took place between greece and their allies thespians and thebans which were led by king leonidas, and the persian empire led by xerxes i. Media in category battle of thermopylae the following 18 files are in this category, out of 18 total. The battle of thermopylaes political origins can be traced back to xerxes predecessor, darius i the great, who sent heralds to greek cities in 491 bce in the hopes of persuading them to accept persian authority. In this battle the spartans ended executed immediately afterwards. Battle of thermopylae 480 bc myths vs reality total.
The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece. After three days of holding their own against the persian king xerxes i and his vast southwardadvancing army, the greeks were betrayed. The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. The battle of thermopylae august 480 bc is one of the most famous military defeats in history, and is best known for the fate of the 300 spartans, killed alongside 700 thespians on the final day of the battle grecopersian wars. Thermopylae prevented the persians from conquering all of greece, e. Fascinating history about the battle between the spartans and persians that changed the world 480 bc fascinating world history book 2 historyepisode 3. The odds were in favor of the persians in this battle. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source that paul cartledge wrote.
1241 392 1520 627 1238 539 1171 164 1114 759 1488 908 1134 1122 158 330 726 175 995 1282 1013 734 1177 292 811 321 1257 1226 1031 326 1083 374 852 629