Leoniidas Thermopyle Analysis

Leonidas’s terrain analysis of Thermopylae especially in choosing the pass to defend gave a great advantage to the Spartans. In order for the Persian Army to successfully conquer the Greeks, they needed the Army to stay close with the Navy. The Persians Army’s route to Athens went along the coast of the Malian Gulf. The route went through Thermopylae, “there was at this time, however, a choke point on this route- a narrow shelf of land lying between the slopes of Mount Kallidromos and the waters of the Malian Gulf.” Leonidas decided to hold the Persians at this choke point. Leonidas and his three hundred have been at Thermopylae for some weeks before the Persian Army arrived. This allowed Leonidas ample amount of time to analyze the terrain in …show more content…
The Spartans built strong mentality through a selection process at birth, hardening process of infants, and years of military training in the Agoge. The Persian Army was no match for Spartan military tactics of the phalanx formation and Spartan weaponry of spear and shield. Leonidas’s terrain analysis of Thermopylae gave a great advantage to the Spartans by forcing the Persians to funnel towards the narrow middle gate into the phalanx. However, on the third day, the last of the Spartans were defeated. Ephialtes son of Eurydemos, a Greek man from Anticyra, informed Xerxes of a hidden path around Thermopylae in hopes of receiving a reward. This path allowed Persians to outflank the Spartans from the rear by the eastern gate. Leonidas upon receiving word that they have been surrounded advised his men to eat an early breakfast for they will dine in Hades. The battle of Thermopylae is a story of courage and duty. It inspires soldiers to carry out the orders their country asks of them just as the Spartans died in keeping with their