(06-05-2014 12:10 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:02 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I see him like Achilles. The story is likely a great exaggeration. I believe they defeated a larger army at the pass, but I doubt it was that lopsided and no way it was 300. They were all fighting with spears and shields and there was no technological advantage for the Spartans.

The number of Spartans fighting was 300. There were fighters from other Greek cities as well. The total number of the Greek Army was initially around 7000, although Leonidas dismissed most of them when it was clear that they were being outflanked by the Persians. About 1000 men remained in the pass to hold the Persian Army led by Xerxes, which numbered between 100,000-150,000 men.

There were also survivors among the Greeks, most among those dismissed by Leonidas. But all 300 Spartans that fought died at Thermopylae. Most people ignore the contributions of the other Greek city states when discussing this battle, mainly because of the central role played by the Trojans, and their dedication in fighting and dying to the last man.