Home / Countries / Greece / Rome

Thermopyles/Thermopylae

This coastal pass is best remembered for a battle in 480 BC between King Leonidas of Sparta, and the invading Persian Empire of Xerxes I. Although the battle against the vastly larger invading army was lost, the self-sacrifice of Leonidas permitted the bulk of the Greek troops to retreat successfully and, eventually, defeat the Persians.

Next: Thessaloniki