The 300 Spartans
In the year 480 BC the Persian Empire having already conquered all of Asia and Europe set out to invade and enslave Greece.
The Persian King, Xerxes, marched with what was thought to be an unstoppable army over a million strong.
While Greece desperately rallied itself a small delaying force was sent to intercept the Persian hordes.
This force of only a few thousand Greeks from a mix of different cities was led by the legendary Spartan Battle King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans.
The Spartans were the most elite warriors the world has ever seen. They were full time soldiers with iron discipline, each in absolute superb physical condition.
They were fit, strong, courageous, hard men for whom actual War was said to be a respite from their brutal and constant training.
The Spartans and their allies choose to block the Persian advance at a narrow pass called Thermopylae. This pass, also known as the “Hot Gates”, was perfect for the Greeks.
It was bordered on one side by mountains, the other by cliffs and the sea. So the Persian’s overwhelming numbers were nullified by the limited fighting room.
One of the Spartans, Dienekes (said to be one of the most courageous), overheard a local speaking in fear about the on-coming Persians.
This man said the Persians had so many archers, when they fired their volleys, the arrows would block out the sun. To this Dienekes laughed and replied
