The Spartan Army in Action

Question 1

In the Battle of Thermopylae what happened?

Answer 1

All the main Greek cities joined together to meet the Persian empire to the east.

Question 2

How many were in the Persian army?

Answer 2

Between 100,000 to 200,000.

Question 3

What did the Greek army have?

Answer 3

A mixed force of 7,000 to defend the pass, led by 300 elite Spartan warriors and their King Leonidas.

Question 4

What happened on the first two days of the battle?

Answer 4

The Greek forces managed to slaughter thousands of Persians in the pass.

Question 5

How were the Persians armed?

Answer 5

Lightly armed compared to the Greeks.

Question 6

What did the Spartans use which helped them in the first two days?

Answer 6

Phalanx formation.

Question 7

Why were the Persians finally able to get through the pass?

Answer 7

A local Greek, Ephialtes betrayed his countrymen in return for a large payment.

Question 8

What did Ephialtes tell the Greeks?

Answer 8

He told the Persians about the mountain path which led to the other side of the pass.

Question 9

On the third morning what happened?

Answer 9

The Greeks realised they would soon be trapped on both sides, so Leonidas dismissed most of the Greek allies except 1500 in the pass led by the 300 Spartans.

Question 10

What did the 300 Spartans do?

Answer 10

Fought to the death holding the Persians up for another three hours.

Question 11

What did Herodotus say?

Answer 11

If they lost their weapons they even fought with their hands and teeth.

Question 12

What was said to happen before going out to battle?

Answer 12

Spartans were have said to be combing their hair - said to be preparing themselves for death.

Question 13

What were the effects of the war?

Answer 13

• It bought the Greek allies a few extra days to prepare for the Persians invasion of the south of Greece.
• The courage shown by the Spartans was an inspiration to the rest of the Greek world.
• The battle gave the Greeks a massive morale boost by showing them that such a small number could stand up to and kill vast numbers of Persians.

Question 14

How Spartan tactics helped the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae?

Answer 14

• Phalanx maintained formation to block narrow pass and soldiers kept replacing those who fell.
• Long spears could be used from behind the shield wall.
• Short swords good for stabbing in the narrow confines of the pass.
• Pretending to retreat and then turning to fight drew the Persians into the narrow space.