Misconceptions Concerning the Battle of Thermopylae

"Xerox decided to punish the Greeks in an unfinished business" (Brown 106). When Xerxes closed the Greeks during the Persian War, the Greeks needed to spend more time to strengthen their troops. The Greeks decided to slow down the Xerox army by intercepting them with a thermopire which is a small passageway where the large army of the Xerox troops are not the main elements. This is the mission of suicide for all the stakeholders, but they are honored to participate. The only hope for the majority of Greeks is to die and hope that they can buy enough time for their country.

The most popular misunderstanding about Thermopyla 's battle may be related to figures in the battle. Indeed, in many corners of popular culture this encounter is often portrayed as 300 Spartans (supported by their lagtag ally) rather than one million Persians. However, according to a flawed historical record, contemporary pop culture sensationism, and romanticism these figures are definitely exaggerated. Indeed, during this period (around 480 BC), only Sparta could use over 8,000 free adult citizens as heavy infantry. Historically, however, due to religious ceremonies (such as the Apollo Canelia celebration) and the pan-Greece Olympic Games, they could not draw out their entire army in Thermopure fight.

Leonidas (530 - 480 BC) became king of the city state of Sparta around 490 BC. Until he died in the fight of Thermopy in 480 BC, Leonidas lost the fight, but his death in Thermopilla was regarded as a heroic sacrifice. Understanding that the Persians exceeded him, he drove most of the troops away. His 300 Sparta fought with him and died. Almost all knowledge about Leonidas comes from the work of Greek historian Herodotus (484 - c 425 BC)