Thermoplyae Flashcards
When
486BC
What did Xerxes do before the battle
He sent a spy on horseback to ascertain the state of the Spartan army
What did the scout see?
He saw the Greek forces - which at that time were the Spartans since the others were building a defensive wall doing pre-battle rituals
What did the Greeks do to the scout
Nothing
What was Xerxes unable to do and how did he view the Spartans’ behaviour
He was bewildered and baffled at the Spartan behaviour, he simply could not comprehend what they were doing
What explanation did Demaratus give Xerxes for the Spartans’ actions
He said they were preparing to defend the pass and die
What did Demaratus say would happen if Xerxes defeated the Spartans and why
If he defeats the Spartans the rest of Greece would follow
What was Xerxes reaction to Demaratus’ explanation
He was unconvinced
What made Xerxes so confused
He believed that the army was to small, more like the size of a splinter force.
How long did Xerxes wait before attacking and why
Four days, publically saying that he was giving them time to leave, but in reality, it was so that he could receive backup from the Persian fleet
Build up
The Persians had been making slow progress and had defeated the Athenian navy at the battle of Marathon.
After squabbling among the ephors about the sacreligiousness of a potential defence, Leonidas, king of Sparta, took 300 Spartans - all old and with living sons since they knew it would be a suicide mission - to gather up forces among other states, namely the Phocians.
They stationed their garrisons at the narrow pass by the sea, so they would have a great advantage against large numbers.
After a council where the the Phocians and Locrians stated that they wanted their land to be saved rather than retreat, Leonidas decided to stay
First day of Battle
The Persians first fired arrows to no effect due to the well armoured shields. After that, 10,000 Medes and Cissians attacked and were repelled.
In waves of 10,000 men, Xerxes recycled troops but the Greek positioning made sure that no advancements were made.
Second day of battle
Again Xerxes sent infantry, assuming that their enemies were now disabled by wounds and could no longer resist, but to no avail
Later, Xerces received news that a Trachinian names Ephialtes had news of a mountain path around the hot gate that would get around the Greek
Third Day of Battle
The Phocians became aware of the Persian trickery but too late, since the Persians were hid by the thick forests.
When they finally caught sight of them they retreated thinking they were the subject of the attack, but the Persians just went pass them.
Leonidas held a council of war and, knowing that all were surrounded, decided that all who wanted to go should, and most fled, but 2,000 men stayed to die with honour. This act of group suicide saved at least 5,000 lives.
The 2,000 which stayed all died.
Aftermath
The Persians sacked the cities of Lataea and Thespiae and prepared to sack Athens, which they did over the course of two years, though the city had already been evacuated.
After that, the Greeks prepared to defend the Isthmus of Corinth demolished the single path through it and made a naval blockade as well.
The navy then proceeded to win a decisive victory at the battle of Salamis, following this Xerxes retreated back to Asia.
