Download The Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae
THIS…. IS…. SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Battle of Marathon
• Spartans showed up two days after the battle was
over.
• Three reasons why the Spartans did not help earlier:
(There was more to it than a religious festival)
• Sparta disliked Athens
• Sparta afraid of a helot revolt.
• Sparta afraid the Persians would make them look weak.
He became the inspiration for this athletic
event, introduced at the 1896 Athens
Olympics, and originally run between
Marathon and Athens.
SPORTS ARTICLE!
192 Athenians dead buried in ceremonial funeral mound
still there today!
Background to Thermopylae
• Themistocles was the new leader.
– He was very strong and could act quickly to
respond to difficult situations.
• Silver mines were found outside Athens
which helped strengthen the military.
What to do with the Cash?!
• Themistocles put a lot of money from the
silver into building up the army to 100,000150,000 men and building 200 warships.
(Triremes)
http://www.rom.gr/ROM7/images/afisa01.jpg
Persia’s Thirst for Revenge
• Persia also had a new leader. Darius was out
and Xerxes was in. (Son of Darius & Grandson
of Cyrus)
– Vowing to revenge his father’s loss
– Forces slaves to follow him
– Constantly whispering “Remember the Athenians” for
next 10 years!
Xerxes assumes power and amasses huge army over
200,000+ strong
and 1000 ships!
The Life of a Spartan
Birth
Age 7
Age 20
Age 30
• Newborns brought to ephors (leaders) for examination
• Sickly babies left to die of exposure
• Healthy babies
• Boys lived with their parents until age seven
• Girls stayed with their parents until marriage, and learning weaving, cooking, cleaning
•
•
•
•
Boys sent to military school for strict physical training
Weapons and endurance training
Frequent beatings
Taught basic reading and to be laconic (use brief speech)
• Young men became soldiers
• Allowed to get married
• But lived in the barracks until age 30
• These soldiers became citizens
• Could vote and could live in their own homes
• Remained in the military until age 60
Cooperation Among Greece
• Athenians hear about Xerxes’ thirst for revenge
they look for help.
• 1st time wide scale co-operation between the
Greeks… They agree to help!
• Sparta and Athens decided to work together to
fight the Persians.
– Sparta had a very strong army
– Athens had a strong navy.
– Awesome combination! 
Thermopylae
Leonidas
NOT this guy…. Well,
kinda…
Statue of Leonidas in Sparta today.
The Battle at Thermopylae
• August of 480 BC
• The Greeks were waiting for the Persians at
Thermopylae. “The HOT GATES”
• (If the Persians wanted to get into mainland Greece
they would have to take this pass.)
• Xerxes sat on a golden throne atop the pass
to watch the battle.
• For the first two days the 7300 Greek
soldiers were able to slaughter the
Persians. (Even Xerxes’ elite “Immortals”)
Persian Wars
Xerxes, with over 200,000 soldiers, hears about the
Spartans lounging around, combing their hair, etc…
Assumes that must be a trick when told there’s only 300
waiting.
Doesn’t dare attack. Until he’s told…
Spartan tradition of being well groomed before death.
He sends messenger vowing to be lenient with the
Spartans if they allow army to cross.
When Spartans refuse, he becomes angry,
having the messenger scream out:
“Our arrows will be so thick, they will
block out the sun!”
Leonidas responds:
“So much the better, it’s hot and we prefer to fight in the shade".
Persian Wars
King Leonidas reportedly informs his
Spartans:
"Breakfast well, for we shall dine in
Hades."
Wave after wave of Persians attack.
King Leonidas one of 1st killed.
4 times the Spartans prevented the
Persians from grabbing the king’s body.
Finally, with spears broken, blades, dull
and hands broken…
All Spartans were eventually killed…
View this site:
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/eyecandy/camps/camp54.html
Decisive Battles Video
Decisive Battles - Thermopylae 480 BC
Groovy Greeks!!
“The last stand…..”
Result of Thermopylae
• Created a sense of nationalism among the Greeks…
This continued.
• It showed Xerxes that conquering Greece was not
going to be easy. The Greeks were a strong,
determinded and skilled force. (just as Marathon had
shown Darius)
• The courageous self-sacrifice of Leonidas and his men
won the Greeks many advantages… can you think of
one?
Let’s Watch Spartan Related!!!