Battle Of Thermopylae Research Paper

Greek Battles
The Battle of Thermopylae, was a battle between the Greeks and the Persians. Thermopylae was a mountain pass which led to many Greek cities. It was a part of the second invasion of the Persian Empire. The Persians invaded Greek cities to control more land. The Persian Empire was led by Xerxes, he ordered the attack. The Greeks cities fought against the Persians, the most know was Sparta. Sparta only had 300 solders called Spartans. The Spartans fought as a single unit, they were led by King Leonidas. Leonidas I lead the 300 Spartans and about 100,000 other Greek soldiers to fight in the Battle of Thermopylae. They were ready to fight the Greeks with full force. Xerxes was surprised that they were ready. On 480 BC, is when the battle began, the first wave of Persians charged at the Spartans, the Spartans began to …show more content…
The Spartans were outnumbered against the Greeks but they were not going to back down. The Spartans used many strategies to fight the Persians. One of the strategies was for the front line to crouch and cover themselves with a shield while the line behind them will jump towards the front surprising their victims. A second strategy, was for them to pretend that they were retreating as the Persians chased them they will turn back and attack them as they get back to formation. On the Second day of the battle a traitor named Ephialtes of Trachi confronted Xerxes and told him about a secret passage way to the Greek cities. He was hoping to get some reward from the Persians. So once the third day began, Xerxes sent his best men to the passage way to flank the Spartan forces. The Persians sent up some archers and they shot at the Spartans, overwhelming them. The Spartans had lost the Battle of Thermopylae. The Persians have won the