What was King Leonidas best known for?

Leonidas was the Spartan king who famously led a small band of Greek allies at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE where the Greeks valiantly defended the pass through which the Persian king Xerxes sought to invade Greece with his massive army.

What did Leonidas say before the Battle of Thermopylae?

Battle of Thermopylae, (480 bce), battle in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae during the Persian Wars. The Greek forces, mostly Spartan, were led by Leonidas. Leonidas famously replied, “Come and take them” (“Molon labe”). Xerxes intended to do just that and thus moved toward Thermopylae.

How were the Greeks betrayed at the Battle of Thermopylae?

During two full days of battle, the small force led by Leonidas blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass. After the second day, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a small path used by shepherds. It led the Persians behind the Greek lines.

Was the 300 Spartans a true story?

Like the comic book, the “300” takes inspirations from the real Battle of Thermopylae and the events that took place in the year of 480 BC in ancient Greece. An epic movie for an epic historical event.

What was Leonidas last words?

Spartan King Leonidas : [his last lines] My Queen! My wife. My love… King Leonidas : You have many slaves, Xerxes, but few warriors.

Why did King Leonidas sacrifice himself?

Although there has been much speculation around this decision, most historians agree that Leonidas decided to sacrifice himself and his men in order to give enough time for the rest of the army to flee. The Greeks died at the battle of Thermopylae.

How would you describe Leonidas’s appearance?

The lean skin of the warrior’s face, its color gone, stands out all the more against a short and pointed beard. The dirt of battle is probably still upon Leonidas, and there is a dark purple bruise on his chin from the pooling of what little blood is left.

Why did the Greeks choose Thermopylae as their first line of Defense?

The Greek force of approximately 7,000 men, 300 of which were Spartans, chose Thermopylae as the first line of defense, a narrow pass between the mountains of central Greece and the sea. This was a strategic move on the part of the Greeks. The narrowness of the pass negated the advantage the Persians had in numbers.

Who was King Leonids the I?

King Leonids the I was born in 540 BC. Although his father ultimately had two wives, it was the first wife who gave Leonidas life. Because he was not the first born, he wasn’t technically considered heir to the throne. As a result of this, he was allowed to attend the agoge, which was Sparta’s public school.

What happened in 279 BC in Greece?

In 279 B.C., Gallic forces broke through Greek forces there by using the same alternate route that the Persians did in 480 B.C. In 191 B.C., the Roman army defeated an invasion of Greece by the Syrian king Antiochus III at Thermopylae.