Leonidas I

Biography

Leonidas became king of Sparta only in his forties, after the deaths of two elder brothers. Little is known of his early life — Sparta left no literature. What survives is the legend forged at a narrow coastal pass called Thermopylae in the summer of 480 BC. When Xerxes' vast army demanded Sparta surrender its weapons, Leonidas replied with the word that would echo through twenty-five centuries: 'Molon labe' — Come and take them. The choice of Leonidas to command the Greek rear-guard may have been deliberate martyrdom. The Oracle at Delphi had told Sparta that either their city or one of their kings must perish. Leonidas reportedly selected the 300 Spartans personally, choosing only men who had fathered sons — ensuring each family line would continue. He held the pass for three days, the finest hoplite warriors in the world defending a frontage of fifty metres. When Ephialtes' treachery was revealed and the position became hopeless, Leonidas dismissed most of the Greek allies. He remained with his 300, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans who had no choice. They died to the last man in a final stand, reportedly covering themselves in arrows. His body was decapitated on Xerxes' personal orders — an honour of sorts, recognising that this man had frightened an empire.

Key Battles