Leonidas
Date: 19 September 480 B.C.
King Leonidas was of Sparta. A Greek city-state. Sparta was famous for their well trained soldiers. Boys at the age of 7 began the so-called "agoge". A state-sponsored training program to create skilled soldiers.
King Leonidas was of Sparta. A Greek city-state. Sparta was famous for their well trained soldiers. Boys at the age of 7 began the so-called "agoge". A state-sponsored training program to create skilled soldiers.
During this time-period Greece was continuously invaded by Persians. At one point an army led by Xerxes I invaded Greece and Leonidas wanted to stop this army but didn't get the needed approval by the Oracle of Delphi to take the Spartan army to Xerxes. Instead he took his personal bodyguard of 300 men (along side circa 4000 civilian soldiers) to hold Xerxes off at Thermopylae. They made their stand at a narrow path so small that they managed to hold off the gigantic army of Xerxes (containing somewhere between 70.000 and 300.000 men) for three days. Leonidas died at the third day of battle and became a symbol of heroism and bravery.
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According to Ancient Greek historian Plutarch, Xerxes offered Leonidas to spare the lives of the Spartans if they gave up their arms. Leonidas his reply was "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" meaning: "Come and take them!"
According to Ancient Greek historian Plutarch, Xerxes offered Leonidas to spare the lives of the Spartans if they gave up their arms. Leonidas his reply was "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" meaning: "Come and take them!"
Location:
Sparta was a city-state in the middle of the mainland of Greece.
Sparta was a city-state in the middle of the mainland of Greece.