Battle Of Thermopylae Essay

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The battle of Thermopylae is without a doubt one of the most important Greek battles in history. The remarkable tale about how 300 Spartans used the geography around them to hold off against a Persian army so big it’s still in dispute over the exact number, still brings the attention of people of people in today’s society. If the Spartans were to surrender or flee, Greece today would be considered Persia.
Background of the war
Greece and Persia grew tension between one another due to different ways of life and different views. Also, Greek cities repelled against the Persian King Darius in the Asia Minor, which was the first Persian invasion of Greece. This invasion was later called the battle of Marathon, the battle was between the city of Athens, and of course Persia, the battle ended with Athens taking victory of the Persian Army, and led to the death of King Darius. The death of the Persian king Darius gave rule to his son Xerxes. This victory of the first Persia had an effect on the second invasion (The battle of Thermopylae) because not only did it cause Xerxes to delay the next attack …show more content…

After the Spartan-Army defeated the waves of Persians Xerxes ordered to attack them, Xerxes realizes the mistake he made by not anticipating the tactical advantage Leonidas and his army had, no matter the number of the army he amassed the past four years prior to the attack. As he comes to this realization, a Greek by the name of Ephialtes, informs Xerxes of the hidden path that leads behind the position of the Spartan-Greek army. Xerxes takes this knowledge and sends a portion of what is left of his “Immortal” army down the hidden path at night to flank Leonidas and his army. No one knows today what exact path the “immortal” soldiers took to flank Leonidas, but when the Persians finally reached their position they defeated the soldiers Leonidas earlier ordered to guard the

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