How 300 Spartans Held Back 200,000 Persians: Thermopylae 480 BC

In 480 BC, the course of Western history was decided in a narrow mountain pass known as the Hot Gates. This video dives deep into the Battle of Thermopylae, separating the Hollywood myths from the even more brutal historical reality. We explore why King Leonidas took a suicide squad of 300 veterans to face King Xerxes and his Persian invasion force of 200,000. Discover the secret requirements Leonidas had for his men, the advanced Persian logistics that nearly reshaped the earth, and the betrayal of Ephialtes that led to the final, bloody stand on Colonus Hill. We analyze the "Othismos" of the Spartan phalanx and the technological gap between Greek bronze and Persian wicker. From the ritual grooming of the warriors to the final "iron storm" of arrows, this is a comprehensive look at the three days that changed the world. Learn how the sacrifice of the 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians bought the time necessary for Greece to unite and eventually defeat the Persian Empire. Subscribe to Winds of Thought for more deep dives into the legendary battles and hidden truths of our ancient past.

TAGS: Spartans, 300, Thermopylae, Leonidas, Xerxes, Ancient Greece, Persian Empire, Military History, Battle of Thermopylae, Molon Labe, Immortals, Winds of Thought