Battle of Thermopylae

Timeline

1. -480pass of Thermopylae · Central GreeceXerxes led hundreds of thousands of Persian and vassal troops into central Greece; Leonidas, with Spartan hoplites as the core, joined forces with about seven thousand men from various city-states to build a defensive line at the narrow pass, using the terrain to limit the Persian cavalry and numerical advantage.
2. -480Thermopylae · Central GreeceRepeated assaults by Persian infantry and the Immortals were all repelled by the Greek phalanx; Xerxes once sent envoys to demand surrender, which was refused. The Greek defensive line held intact in frontal combat, Persian casualties were heavy, and the battle fell into a stalemate.
3. -480Thermopylae · Central GreeceThe Persian forces circled behind the Greeks via the Anopaia path; Leonidas dismissed most of the allied troops and led three hundred Spartans plus seven hundred Thespians and Thebans to cover the retreat, fighting until all were killed, allowing the Persians to break through and advance north.