Battle Of Thermopylae Flashcards
Greeks total forces compared to the Persians?
Greeks: 7100 (300 Spartans)
Persians: 80 000 cavalry and some say up to 5.5 million men
Footpath that goes around Thermopylae?
Mt. anopaea path
Days of fighting in Thermopylae before xerxes realise he could do nothing?
Two
Who betrayed Greeks by telling xerxes of the mountain footpath?
Ephiliates
Was the mountain footpath successfully defended?
No
What did Leonidas do after he realised he was surrounded?
Sent away all soldiers except the Spartans
Who stayed with Leonidas?
300 Spartans, the thespians voluntarily stayed and the thebans were hostages
Why did Sparta only send 300 soldiers?
- There was a religious festival on, and if the Spartans left it could bring bad luck
- If they sent too many then the helots could overthrow the Spartans
Why did the Spartans even go?
The Persians were invading Athens and if they were successful then they would have an advantageous route to Sparta
When was the battle of Thermopylae?
480-479BC
Who led infantry in the battle of Thermopylae?
King Leonidas
