Battle Of Thermopylae Sparknotes

Their wars would determine the viability of a new direction in Western culture, for even as Greece stood poised to embark on an unprecedented voyage of the mind, Persia threatened to prevent the Hellenes from ever achieving their destiny. The battle of Thermopylae is one of the most significant and profoundly symbolic battles in Greek and Persian history. The three-day battle for the pass at the “Hot Gates” of Thermopylae was an overwhelming event that ended in the defeat of the Greeks by the Persian empire. Ernle Bradford's book, Thermopylae, The Battle for the West, was a detailed depiction of the leadership, planning, organization, and process of the Persians and the Greeks as they prepared for battle. Even more importantly, the book illustrated

The battle of Thermopylae had two great nations fighting against each other whom both expressed combat with military might and prowess. King Xerxes led the Persians with great leadership along with bravery, strength, determination, and overall intelligent and complex strategy. Ernle Bradford’s book entails the advantage that the Persians had over the Greeks. Bradford explains, “the efficiency and strength of the Persian empire was quick to show itself. Starting from the South, Cyprus was first of all recaptured, its last stronghold capitulating in 496,” (Bradford, 48). The Persian army created a bridge called the Hellespont as one of their tactics that would help carry their army from Asia to Europe. The Persians had overwhelming strength against the Greeks. The Persian Empire had the resources to mobilize a huge army. It also had the logistical knowhow to bring that army incredibly long distances. Most Persian infantry were archers and were armed with a short bow, a stabbing spear and a dagger or short sword. For protection, they carried a large wicker shield. However, most wore no body armour at all. One of the most feared arms of the Persian army was its cavalry. Bradford explains,

The Greeks were making great use of their tactical forces, that helped prevent further Persian advancement into Greece that kept them on the defensive. Ancient Greek warfare was as deadly and terrifying as humanly possible within the limits of Iron Age Technology. One of their strategies that they used and took advantage of during battle was a military formation called the phalanx collision.The opposing phalanxes charged together after a “short run of 50 yards or less,” (Dee, 2014). The moment of impact was frequently the deadliest as front-rank hoplites could use their momentum to deal fatal blows or topple their opponents. “ Four times the Greeks drove the enemy off, finally managing to drag the king back within their ranks,” (Bradford, 142). The hoplite phalanx was ideally suited for the Greek style of warfare. It was able to block the narrow pass at Thermopylae with no risk of being outflanked by the Persian Cavalry. Greek warfare was simple and straightforward. The Phalanx did not require special or prolonged training and the hopolite did not need extensive arms practice to use his spear and shield. For armour, the Greeks wore complete suit of body armour. “The helmet was called the Corinthian and was the most common hoplite headgear during the fifth century,” (Dee, 2014). Their lower legs were protected by greaves and their chest was protected by the breastplate