What is modern day Thermopylae?
Table of Contents
- 1 What is modern day Thermopylae?
- 2 Why is the Battle of Thermopylae important today?
- 3 Why did the Greeks win the Battle of Thermopylae?
- 4 How many Persians were at the Battle of Thermopylae?
- 5 Did the 300 Spartans help win the Battle of Thermopylae?
- 6 What are the two main sources for the Battle of Thermopylae?
What is modern day Thermopylae?
Thermopylae, Modern Greek Thermopýles, also spelled Thermopílai, narrow pass on the east coast of central Greece between the Kallídhromon massif and the Gulf of Maliakós, about 85 miles (136 km) northwest of Athens (Athína).
Why is the Battle of Thermopylae important today?
The significance of the battle for Western Civilization While the Battle of Thermopylae was technically a defeat for the Greeks, it was also a victory in the long run because it marked the beginning of several important Greek victories against the Persians and boosted the morale of all the Greek city-states.
Where was the Battle of Thermopylae modern day?
Battle of Thermopylae
| Date | 21–23 July or 20 August or 8–10 September 480 BC |
|---|---|
| Location | Thermopylae, Greece38.796607°N 22.536714°ECoordinates:38.796607°N 22.536714°E |
| Result | Persian victory |
| Territorial changes | Persians gain control of Phocis, Boeotia, and Attica |
Why did the Greeks win the Battle of Thermopylae?
Thermopylae was an excellent choice for defence with mountains running down into the sea leaving only a narrow pass along the coast. The Greeks would amass over 300 triremes and perhaps their main purpose was to prevent the Persian fleet sailing down the inland coast of Lokris and Boeotia.
How many Persians were at the Battle of Thermopylae?
*The combined totals for Greek armies is 6,300, although most modern estimates are around the 7,000 mark. **Included in the Total Persian Army figures….Army sizes and compositions during the Battle of Thermopylae 480BCE.
| Characteristic | Greeks* | Persians |
|---|---|---|
| Total Persian Army (upper estimate) | – | 300,000 |
How long did the Battle of Thermopylae last?
The Battle of Thermopylae lasted a total of seven days, but there was no fighting on the first four, as the Persians waited to see if the Greeks would surrender. The Greek army, despite being severely outnumbered, were able to fight back the Persians during two days of fighting.
Did the 300 Spartans help win the Battle of Thermopylae?
That the 300 Spartans had significant help is one of the parts of the Battle of Thermopylae that has been forgotten in the name of mythmaking. Many like to think these 300 Spartans were the only ones fighting, but they weren’t.
What are the two main sources for the Battle of Thermopylae?
On the Battle of Thermopylae itself, two principal sources, Herodotus’ and Simonides ‘ accounts, survive. In fact, Herodotus’ account of the battle, in Book VII of his Histories, is such an important source that Paul Cartledge wrote: “we either write a history of Thermopylae with [Herodotus], or not at all”.
How did the Greek block the Persian army at Thermopylae?
The Athenian politician and general Themistocles had proposed that the allied Greeks block the advance of the Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae, and simultaneously block the Persian navy at the Straits of Artemisium. A Greek force of approximately 7,000 men marched north to block the pass in the middle of 480 BC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSh80uVYb8k