The Battle of Thermopylae : Last Stand of The Greeks - Military History Animated.

Summary

In 480 BC, during the height of the Persian Empire's power, King Xerxes assembled an enormous army to conquer Greece, following his father Darius's defeat at Marathon. The Greek city-states, led by the formidable Spartans, mounted a defense at the narrow pass of Thermopylae. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Greek hoplites, with their disciplined phalanx and superior armor, inflicted heavy losses on the Persian forces. However, a traitorous Greek farmer revealed a mountain pass, enabling the Persians to outflank the Greeks. Facing encirclement, the majority of the Greek force retreated, while a rearguard of 1,500 men, including the 300 Spartans, stayed behind to delay the Persian advance, allowing their comrades to escape. This heroic stand became a symbol of defiance, though ultimately the Persians advanced and razed Athens before being expelled from Greece after the Battle of Plataea.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The year is 480 BC, during which Persia was the world's only superpower, having expanded its rule across much of the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean.
• 🏰 King Darius of Persia had attempted to conquer Greece 10 years prior but was defeated at the Battle of Marathon. Now, his son King Xerxes is leading the largest army in history to subdue the Greeks.
• 🐎 The Persian Empire's military strategy was based on cavalry, with skilled horsemen and light infantry, contrasting with the Greek phalanx of heavily armored warriors.
• 🦁 King Leonidas, the Spartan leader, is known as 'Lion's son' and leads the Greek coalition against the Persians.
• 🛡️ The Spartan Council of Elders refused to support the war, likely due to isolationist policies and concerns over a potential slave revolt if they sent their army away.
• 📐 At Thermopylae, King Leonidas led 300 bodyguards and their slaves to command the Greek forces against the Persian army, which was estimated to be around 150,000 strong.
• 🗡️ Greek hoplites were equipped with long spears, short swords, and full metal armor, while the Persians had a mix of weapons and were lightly armored with cloth and wicker.
• 🛕 The Greeks had a decisive advantage in fortifications and shorter supply lines, which was crucial for their defense.
• 🔥 King Xerxes initially underestimated the Greek forces, sending his weakest troops first, which resulted in heavy Persian casualties with minimal Greek losses.
• 🏞️ A Greek farmer betrayed his countrymen by revealing a mountain pass to the Persians, allowing them to bypass the Greek defenses.
• ⚔️ Despite being surrounded and outnumbered, a rearguard of 1,500 men, led by the 300 Spartans, chose to stay and fight, allowing the rest of the Greek army to retreat safely.
• 🔥 After the Battle of Thermopylae, the Persians advanced towards Athens, burned it to the ground, and occupied Greece for a year before being driven out following the Battle of Plataea.

Q & A

In 480 BC, which empire was considered the world's only superpower?

The Persian Empire was considered the world's only superpower in 480 BC, having expanded its rule across much of the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean.

What significant battle occurred 10 years before the events described in the script, involving the Greeks and Persians?

The Battle of Marathon occurred 10 years prior to the events described, where King Darius of Persia tried to conquer the Greeks but was defeated.

Who led the Persian forces in their campaign against the Greeks in 480 BC?

King Xerxes, the son of Darius, led the Persian forces in their campaign against the Greeks in 480 BC.

What was unique about the Persian military strategy during this period?

The Persian military strategy was unique due to their reliance on cavalry-based maneuver warfare and their expertise in horsemanship and light infantry.

Why did the Spartan Council of Elders initially refuse to support the war against the Persians?

The Spartan Council of Elders initially refused to support the war due to stated religious observances and likely due to their isolationist tendencies, as well as concerns about potential slave revolts if a large army was sent away.

Who was King Leonidas, and what role did he play in the conflict?

King Leonidas, meaning 'Lion's son,' was the leader of the Spartans and led the Greek response against the Persian invasion. Despite the initial refusal of the Spartan Council, he led his 300 bodyguards and their slaves to Thermopylae.

What was the approximate size of the Persian army that King Xerxes assembled to confront the Greeks?

The Persian army assembled by King Xerxes was the largest at the time, with estimates varying but approximately 150,000 Persians marching to meet the Greek defenders.

What type of armor and weapons did the Greek hoplites use during the Battle of Thermopylae?

The Greek hoplites used long spears, short swords, and were heavily armored with metal armor head-to-toe, along with large metal shields.

What was the strategic advantage the Greeks had during the Battle of Thermopylae?

The Greeks had several strategic advantages: they arrived first and rebuilt an old defensive wall, had short supply lines, and the narrow pass at Thermopylae allowed them to effectively use their phalanx formation against the Persian forces.

How did the Greeks manage to conceal their numbers from the Persians at the beginning of the battle?

The Greeks managed to conceal their numbers by building campfires to create as much smoke and light as possible, making it difficult for the Persians to assess their true strength.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae for the Greeks and Persians?

Although the Greeks, led by the 300 Spartans, made a heroic stand and inflicted heavy casualties on the Persian forces, they were eventually surrounded and killed. The Persians advanced towards Athens, which they burned to the ground. However, the Persian occupation lasted only a year before they were driven out of Greece following the Battle of Plataea.