Did the Spartans eventually beat the Persians?

Although the Greeks finally beat the Persians in the Battle of Platea in 479 B.C., thus ending the Greco-Persian Wars, many scholars attribute the eventual Greek success over the Persians to the Spartans’ defense at Thermopylae.

What would have happened if the Spartans won at Thermopylae?

If they won, they probably would’ve followed the Persians back to Asia Minor. They’d eventually loose because of the Persian home advantage. And also the growing rift between Athens and Sparta would likely lead to an even larger Peloponnesian war.

Did the 300 Spartans win against the Persians?

They held their ground against the Persians but were quickly defeated by the vast enemy army, and many (if not all; sources differ) were killed, including Leonidas. News of this defeat reached the troops at Artemisium, and Greek forces there retreated as well.

What did the Persian spy see the Spartans doing?

Xerxes used the time waiting for the fleet to arrive to good advantage. First he sent a spy to see what the Greeks were doing; the astonished horseman returned to report that he had seen the Spartans stripping for exercise and fixing each other’s hair.

Why didn’t the Spartans win the Battle of Thermopylae?

The 300 Spartans and the thousands of other Greeks at the pass had little chance of winning the Battle of Thermopylae unless they could hold the pass long enough for the Persians to run out of their provisions (more about that below).

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.

How many soldiers fought in the Battle of Thermopylae?

Scholars report various figures ranging between about 100,000 and 150,000 soldiers. The Persian army arrived at the pass in late August or early September. The vastly outnumbered Greeks held them off for seven days (including three of battle) before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history’s most famous last stands.

Why was the pass at Thermopylae so important to the Greeks?

Tactically, the pass at Thermopylae was ideally suited to the Greek style of warfare. A hoplite phalanx could block the narrow pass with ease, with no risk of being outflanked by cavalry.