August 480 BC · The Hot Gates, central Greece Theater
August 480 BC
Xerxes' massive invasion force — ancient sources claim millions, modern estimates range from 100,000 to 300,000 — was funnelled through the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae, where a Greek force of roughly 7,000, led by 300 Spartans under King Leonidas, held them for three days. The Greeks repulsed every Persian assault. Only when a local Greek, Ephialtes, revealed a mountain path allowing the Persians to envelop the position did the defence crack. Leonidas dismissed most of the Greek allies and remained with his 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans to fight to the last. All were killed.
Commanders