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World History Lesson Plan
The Battle of Thermopylae and its Consequences
Grade Level: 9th
OBJECTIVES
MATERIALS
PROCEDURES
Following this activity, students will be able to:
1) Recognize how the 300 Spartans and their allies were
able to hold the much larger Persian army for three
days
2) Explain how the Spartan’s actions affected the morale
of both sides of the Greco-Persian War
3) Be able to draw up battle plans based on their
experiences in the “game”
Traffic Cones
Water Balloons
A Picnic Table
1. Before beginning this activity, students should have the
following background information:
 The Greco-Persian War was important in that it
settled the notion of Greek independence from
outside empires for several centuries.
 The time following the war was one of great cultural
progress. This progress would affect Western
civilization profoundly even into the present.
 The battle of Thermopylae while debatable in it’s
practical contribution to the Greeks in the war,
served to bolster the morale of the Greek armies.
2. Ask students how they think battles were fought in
Classical times and with what weapons.
3. Make certain the students know what was at stake in this
war. Make certain they know the differences in the size
and scope of both armies. Explain the setup of
Thermopylae but not its outcome.
4. Take the class outside and divide them into two groups,
one group being much smaller than the other.
5. Explain to the students that they will be recreating the
battle of Thermopylae using water balloons. The traffic
cones outline the narrow path and the picnic should be
turned on its side to simulate the wall the Spartans used
for defense. Explain to the students that they cannot leave
the “pass”, one side is a sheer cliff while the other drops
off into the water.
6. Explain that the Persians can not get out. This simulates
the overwhelming odds the Spartans faced. The Spartan
team can get hit 3 times before they are dead. This
simulates their superior equipment.
7. Divide the battle into three short rounds, each one
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World History Lesson Plan
ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
simulating a day. Be sure to limit each round’s water
balloons or the students will go through them in one
round. Between the second and third round tell the
students that a secret path around the wall has been found.
Allow them to take a small group of “Persians” to ambush
the Spartans on the third day.
8. If all goes as it should the Spartan team should lose on the
third day. After everyone is cleaned up, discuss with the
students how the Persian army would feel when a
relatively small army could hold them off and inflict
terrible casualties over a three day period. Furthermore,
how might they feel when confronting a much larger army
made up of the same type of soldiers? Might this have had
an effect on the Persian’s willingness to fight?
9. Put the students into groups and have them prepare a battle
plan using resources on the web. Then have them create a
graphic design detailing their plan and strategy.
You can evaluate groups on their charts using the following
three-point rubric:
Three points: well designed; clear and carefully prepared
plans adequately defending their position.
Two points: adequately designed plans; legible and
satisfactorily prepared; some data missing
One point: inadequately designed plans; carelessly prepared;
significant data missing
Bradford, Ernle. Thermopylae: Battle for the West (March
2004)
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