Leonidas & his 300 Spartans

King Leonidas I of Sparta was born around 540 BC in Sparta to King Anaxandridas II and his unnamed mother, who was the niece of Anaxandridas. Despite being the third son, he eventually succeeded to the kingship, with details primarily derived from Herodotus' Histories. Sparta, unlike other Greek city-states, was a collection of villages with rigid unique social and political structures. The Spartan hoplite army, known for its distinctive gear and fighting style, played a significant role in Spartan society. Cleomenes was a powerful Spartan king with significant influence. Led a land invasion of Athens in 510 BC, resulting in the expulsion of the tyrant Hippias and the establishment of a democratic government in its days. Engaged in political conflicts including an unsuccessful campaign against Athens in 506 BC, leading to changes in the Spartan constitution.

King Darius conquered depleting resource stripped Egypt and the Levant and established a ceremonial capital at Persepolis. He reorganized the empire into provinces, implemented a standardized currency, and recruited soldiers from various regions. Aristagoras sought military support from Sparta and Athens to rebel against the Persian Empire. Despite offering wealth, his efforts were unsuccessful in both cities. The rebellion resulted in the looting of Sardis, a defeat at the Battle of Ephesus, and the subsequent Persian invasion of Greece. Miltiades led the Athenians to victory over the Persians at Marathon, with biting significant casualties on both sides. The Persians abandoned their campaign to conquer Athens and retreated in a hasty movement. Some Greek city-states sided with Xerxes during his invasion, preferring Persian protection over democratic reforms. Sparta's warning about the Persian invasion, along with Demaratus' covert message, led to Greek unity. The Greek alliance prepared to resist the invading Persians under King Xerxes. Upon learning of Xerxes' massive army approaching, the Greek forces, led by Themistocles and Euainetus, retreated to the Isthmus of Corinth for strategic planning. Sparta dispatched King Leonidas with 300 elite hoplites to defend Thermopylae, following the advice from the Delphic oracle. Leonidas and his men fought bravely but were ultimately defeated in the long run. Before his death, Leonidas advised his wife to remarry and have sons to carry on the family legacy. Demaratus, a respected Spartan advisor, predicted the Greeks' valiant stand against Xerxes but was disregarded. King Xerxes underestimated the Greek army's courage and tactics at Thermopylae, delaying his attack in an attempt to negotiate their surrender.

The Greek hoplites, under the command of King Leonidas, effectively repelled the Persian forces, thwarting King Xerxes' efforts to break through the pass. The heroic last stand of Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae. Hydarnes and his Immortals caught the Phocian hoplites off guard as they guarded the path. Leonidas and his soldiers fought valiantly until the very end, causing significant losses to the enemy. Themistocles assisted in the evacuation and devised strategies to bring the war to a close. The Athenian navy played a crucial role in evacuating the citizens to Salamis. Themistocles advocated for ending the war by annihilating the Persian fleet. The Greek triumphs at Plataea and Mycale thwarted the Persian invasion endeavors. Pausanias led the Greeks to victory over Mardonius at Plataea. Leotychidas' Spartans emerged victorious over the Persians at Mycale. The legacy of King Leonidas I of Sparta remains a subject of debate and complexity. His leadership at Thermopylae exemplified courage and resistance against the Persians. The rigid societal structure of the native and military Spartans, which included the Helots, shaped historical accounts and influenced Nazi beliefs and partly their war structure. The ruler oppressed the state's subjugated peoples.