480 BC
Battle of Thermopylae
Greek defenders resisted Xerxes at Thermopylae before Persian forces overwhelmed their position.
- Time period
- 480 BC
- Region
- Greece
- Theme
- Military
- Civilization
- Classical Greece
The Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC during the second Persian invasion of Greece. For three days, Greek forces led by Spartan king Leonidas I defended the narrow pass against Xerxes and his Persian army. After Persian troops outflanked the defenders, Leonidas and the remaining rearguard were defeated, securing a Persian victory.