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.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Battle of Thermopylae: Clash of Empires

In 480 BC, the Persian Empire, under King Xerxes, sought to conquer Greece, having already expanded across the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean. The Greeks, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, prepared to defend their homeland. The Spartans, known for their military prowess, were chosen to lead the coalition despite internal conflicts and concerns over a potential slave revolt. The Greek forces, consisting of 7,000 defenders, were significantly outnumbered by the Persian army, estimated at around 150,000. The Greeks utilized their hoplite phalanx formation, heavy armor, and strategic fortifications to their advantage. The battle began with the Greeks successfully repelling the Persian forces, who were unable to effectively use their cavalry or numbers due to the narrow battlefield. Despite initial victories, the Greeks were eventually outmaneuvered when a Greek farmer revealed a mountain pass, allowing the Persians to bypass the Greek defenses. Faced with the prospect of being surrounded, the Greeks had to decide between retreat and certain death.

05:01

🛡️ The Sacrifice at Thermopylae: A Last Stand

As the Persian forces closed in, a rearguard of 1,500 men, including the 300 Spartans, chose to stay behind to delay the Persian advance, allowing the rest of the Greek army to retreat safely. This act of self-sacrifice was both a practical necessity to protect the retreating forces and a testament to the Greek resolve. The rearguard fought valiantly on the third day, inflicting heavy casualties on the Persians before being overwhelmed and killed. The Persians proceeded to Athens, which they burned to the ground, but their occupation was short-lived. The Battle of Plataea and the Battle of Mycale eventually led to the expulsion of the Persians from Greece, marking a significant turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars.

Keywords

💡Persia

Persia, also known as the Persian Empire, was an ancient Iranian empire that existed from the 6th century BC to the 7th century AD. In the context of the video, Persia is depicted as the world's only superpower around 480 BC, having expanded its rule across much of the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean. The script describes Persia's military campaigns against the Greeks, highlighting its status as a dominant force at the time.

💡Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a significant historical event that took place in 490 BC, where the Greeks defeated the Persian forces led by King Darius. The video script refers to this battle as a prior attempt by Persia to conquer Greece, setting the stage for the later conflict described in the video.

💡King Xerxes

King Xerxes, also known as Xerxes I, was the son of Darius and the king of Persia who led the invasion of Greece following his father's defeat. The script highlights Xerxes as the leader who raised the largest army in history to subdue the Greeks, indicating his pivotal role in the Persian military campaign.

💡Greeks

The Greeks in this context refer to the various city-states and their collective military forces that opposed the Persian invasion. The video script discusses the Greek style of warfare, which was distinct from the Persian approach, and their defense against the Persian army.

💡Spartans

The Spartans were one of the most powerful and militaristic city-states of ancient Greece. The script describes them as the most fearsome of the Greek city-states and highlights their leadership in the coalition's army against the Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae.

💡Thermopylae

Thermopylae is the site of a famous battle in 480 BC, where a small Greek force, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, made a stand against the much larger Persian army. The script details the strategic importance of the pass at Thermopylae and the ensuing battle.

💡Phalanx

A phalanx is a type of military formation used by Greek hoplites, characterized by a tight, shielded arrangement of soldiers. The script contrasts the Greek phalanx with the Persian cavalry-based maneuver warfare, emphasizing the different tactical approaches of the two armies.

💡Helmets

Helmets, in the context of the script, refer to the headgear worn by the Greek hoplites as part of their metal armor. The script mentions that the Greeks were heavily armored, including helmets, which provided them with a significant advantage in defense against the Persians' cloth and wicker armor.

💡Immortals

The Immortals were an elite military unit in the Persian army, so named because they were constantly replenished, giving the impression of immortality. The script describes their involvement in the battle, where they were initially successful but later outmaneuvered by the Greeks.

💡Ancient Warfare

Ancient warfare encompasses the strategies, tactics, and technologies used in armed conflicts in the ancient world. The video script provides a detailed account of ancient warfare, including the use of phalanxes, cavalry, and siege tactics, as well as the significance of armor and weaponry.

💡Tactics and Strategy

Tactics and strategy are essential components of military operations, with tactics referring to the specific actions taken in battle and strategy encompassing the overall plan. The script illustrates various tactics and strategies employed by both the Persians and the Greeks, such as the Greek use of a defensive wall and the Persians' attempt to outflank the Greek forces.

Highlights

The year is 480 BC, and Persia is the world's only superpower, having expanded their rule across much of the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean.

King Darius was defeated at the Battle of Marathon 10 years earlier, and now his son King Xerxes raises the largest army in history to conquer the Greeks.

The Persian Empire began at Lycia, quickly conquering Egypt and Asia, utilizing their cavalry-based maneuver warfare and expert horsemen.

Greek warfare style was vastly different, relying on tight phalanx formations and heavily armored troops, contrasting with the Persian light infantry.

King Leonidas, meaning 'Lion's son', leads the Greek response against the Persians.

The Spartans, known as the most fearsome Greek city-state, were chosen to lead the coalition's army.

The Spartan Council of Elders refused to support the war, likely due to isolationism and concerns over a potential slave revolt.

Leonidas led 300 bodyguards and their slaves to Thermopylae, where they took command of the Greek force.

The Persian army, estimated to be around 150,000, marched to meet the 7,000 Greek defenders.

Greek hoplites were equipped with long spears, short swords, and full metal armor, while Persians had a mismatch of weapons and cloth/wicker armor.

The Greeks had a decisive advantage with short supply lines and fortifications, while the Persians could not afford to wait.

Greeks used smoke and light from campfires to conceal their numbers from the Persians.

On the first day of fighting, the Greeks successfully held off the Persians, resulting in heavy Persian losses.

The Persians sent their weakest forces first, and the Greek discipline shield line proved almost unassailable.

On the second day, the Persians sent in their Elite Immortals, who were countered by a Greek feigned retreat tactic.

A Greek farmer betrayed the location of a mountain pass, allowing the Persians to bypass the Greek defenses.

The Greeks faced the choice to retreat or stay and die, with 1,500 men, including the 300 Spartans, choosing to stay as a rearguard.

The selfless sacrifice of the rearguard allowed the retreating Greeks to escape, delaying the Persian advance.

Despite the heroic stand, all the Greeks at Thermopylae were killed, and the Persians advanced towards Athens.

The Persian occupation lasted a year before they were finally driven from Greece following the Battle of Plataea.

Transcripts

the year is 480 BC Persia is the world's

only superpower having expanded their

rule across much of the Middle East Asia

and the Mediterranean King Darius tried

to conquer the Greeks 10 years earlier

but was defeated at the Battle of

Marathon

now his son King Xerxes raises the

largest army in history to bring the

Greeks to heel the Persian Empire began

at Lycia it quickly conquered Egypt and

into Asia these wide open lands lent

themselves well to their cavalry based

maneuver warfare and the Persians were

known for their expert horseman and

light infantry this was a far cry from

the Greek style of tight phalanx based

heavily armored warfare King Xerxes the

son of Darius leads his people against

the Greeks King Leona das meaning Lions

son leads the Greek response the

Spartans were the most fearsome of the

Greek city-states and as such were

chosen to lead the coalition's army the

Spartan Council of Elders refused to

support the war however due to stated

lis religious observances but more

likely due to isolationism one thing to

consider here is that the Spartans

neither liked nor were liked by the

other cities there was also the

practical concern of all their slaves

called helots sending a large army far

away would be inviting a slave revolt

so leona das led his 300 bodyguards and

their slaves on a walk to Thermopylae

where they took command of the Greek

force approaching the pass from the

other side is the largest army ever

assembled at the time estimates vary

wildly but approximately a hundred and

fifty thousand Persians marched to meet

the 7000 Greek defenders armament the

Greek hoplites fielded long Spears and

short swords the Persians had a mismatch

of weapons advantage Greeks defenses the

hoplite swore metal armor head-to-toe

and had a large metal shield the

Persians were cloth and wicker the

Spartans also had fortifications

decisive advantage to the Greeks utility

the Greeks had short supply lines the

Persians relied on pre-placed food

and with the massive army to feed could

not play the waiting game and must

attack or starve the Greeks arrived

first and set to work rebuilding an old

defensive wall constructed at the past

previously as the Persians arrived the

Greeks went out building campfires to

kick up as much smoke and light as

possible to conceal their numbers for

the next four days the Persians would

send Ford Scouts and emissaries at first

thinking the Greek force was a joke or a

negotiation tactic it was not until the

5th day of their arrival that the

assault began the first day of fighting

went well for the Greeks

Xerxes sent Ford his weakest and most

expendable forces by the end of the day

only a few Greeks were killed but tens

of thousands of Persians had died

crashing against the discipline shield

line with their lightly armored force

was not working for the Persians and

they could not leverage their

exceptional cavalry or numbers due to

the tight Beach battlefield fighting

from atop the small wall the Greeks had

constructed they were almost

unassailable they stabbed down and

mercilessly killed any Persian who tried

to scramble up the wall the pass was

also narrow enough that the Greeks could

have units in reserve resting

then rotate out as the front units got

tired

the Persians unleashed tens of thousands

of arrows but the light arrows against

Greek armor were ineffective on the

second day the situation repeated itself

until Xerxes sent in his Elite Immortals

so named because when one would die

another would immediately be promoted to

replace him after a bit of a clash with

them the Greeks pulled a fast one

they feigned retreat falling back in

lockstep when the Immortals broke their

formation and darted after them

the Greeks suddenly reformed into a

solid wall and cut down the now spread

out Persians while the Greeks suffered

more losses than the first day the

Persians lost another 10,000 or so men

this simply wasn't working the Persians

had to find a way to leverage their

numbers and one soon presented itself a

few latests

a Greek farmer revealed the location of

a narrow mountain pass the Persians

could use to bypass their

the pass was guarded by Phoenicians as

the Persians approached they were true

to the high ground and made ready for

battle

however the Persians ignored them and

made their way through the pass in the

morning the Greeks would face assault

from both sides allowing the Persians to

leverage their superior numbers the

Greeks had two choices retreat or stay

and die the bulk of the Greeks retreated

however some 1,500 men chose to stay

this may have been due to a sense of

duty but there was also a practical

reason remember how I said the Persians

had exceptional cavalry well if they

were allowed through the pass they would

be able to run down the retreating

Greeks so a rearguard

was necessary to delay them a day and

allow the retreating Greeks to slip away

this selfless sacrifice led by the 300

Spartans would become something of a

myth but it was also a necessity to save

the rest of the army rather than some

grand gesture of defiance the third day

came and the Greeks attacked determined

to kill as many Persians as possible

before they were surrounded while there

was one hell of a fight they all died

killed by Persian sword and arrows the

Persians now advanced towards Athens and

burned it to the ground while Persian

occupation would last a year they were

finally driven from Greece following the

Battle of Plataea

and McHale

[Music]