Thermopylae greek pass

The Thermopylae pass in central Greece was the site of the legendary 480 BC battle between Greeks and Persians.

About this subject

The Thermopylae pass, located on the east coast of central Greece between Mount Kallidromo and the Malian Gulf, was in antiquity the only land route connecting northern and southern Greece. Its width, in some places only 12 meters, made it strategically defensible. The name Thermopylae means "Hot Gates", referring to the sulfurous hot springs still present today.

In 480 BC, during the Second Persian Invasion, Spartan King Leonidas led a Greek force of about 7,000 men against the Persian army of Xerxes I, estimated in the hundreds of thousands. For three days, the Greeks repelled Persian attacks, using the narrow pass to neutralize the numerical advantage. However, the local shepherd Ephialtes betrayed the defenders by revealing a secret path that outflanked the pass, allowing the Persians to surround the Greek forces.

Faced with the maneuver, Leonidas dismissed most of the army and stayed with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and a few Thebans to cover the retreat. All died, but their stand became a symbol of courage and self-sacrifice, inspiring the Greek forces that later won at Salamis and Plataea. Today, a monument stands at the site, bearing the epitaph of Simonides: "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie." The modern pass is traversed by a highway, and the original topography has been altered by millennia of silt deposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Thermopylae?

Thermopylae is located on the east coast of central Greece, between Mount Kallidromo and the Malian Gulf, about 150 km north of Athens.

Why is the Battle of Thermopylae famous?

It is famous for the heroic stand of 300 Spartans and other Greeks against the massive Persian army in 480 BC, becoming an enduring symbol of courage and sacrifice.

What happened to the 300 Spartans?

The 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, fought to the death on the third day of the battle after being outflanked via a secret path revealed by a traitor.