1. The Battle of Thermopylae
THIS…. IS…. SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. The Battle of Marathon
Spartans showed up two days after the battle was over.
Three reasons why the Spartans did not help earlier: (There was more to it than a religious festival)
Sparta disliked Athens
Sparta afraid of a helot revolt.
Sparta afraid the Persians would make them look weak.
LEGEND: A Greek messenger ran 26.2 miles to Athens with news of the victory, dying of exhaustion immediately after he arrived.
He became the inspiration for this athletic event, introduced at the 1896 Athens Olympics, and originally run between Marathon and Athens.
SPORTS ARTICLE!

4. 192 Athenians dead buried in ceremonial funeral mound
still there today!

5. Background to Thermopylae
Themistocles was the new leader.
He was very strong and could act quickly to respond to difficult situations.
Silver mines were found outside Athens which helped strengthen the military.

6. What to do with the Cash?!
Themistocles put a lot of money from the silver into building up the army to 100, ,000 men and building 200 warships. (Triremes)

8. Persia’s Thirst for Revenge
Persia also had a new leader. Darius was out and Xerxes was in. (Son of Darius & Grandson of Cyrus)
Vowing to revenge his father’s loss
Forces slaves to follow him
Constantly whispering “Remember the Athenians” for next 10 years!

9. Xerxes assumes power and amasses huge army over
200,000+ strong

10. and 1000 ships!

11. The Life of a Spartan Birth Age 7 Age 20 Age 30
Newborns brought to ephors (leaders) for examination
Sickly babies left to die of exposure
Healthy babies
Boys lived with their parents until age seven
Girls stayed with their parents until marriage, and learning weaving, cooking, cleaning
Age 7
Boys sent to military school for strict physical training
Weapons and endurance training
Frequent beatings
Taught basic reading and to be laconic (use brief speech)
Age 20
Young men became soldiers
Allowed to get married
But lived in the barracks until age 30
Age 30
These soldiers became citizens
Could vote and could live in their own homes
Remained in the military until age 60

12. Cooperation Among Greece
Athenians hear about Xerxes’ thirst for revenge they look for help.
1st time wide scale co-operation between the Greeks… They agree to help!
Sparta and Athens decided to work together to fight the Persians.
Sparta had a very strong army
Athens had a strong navy.
Awesome combination! 

13. Thermopylae

14. NOT this guy…. Well, kinda…
Leonidas
NOT this guy…. Well, kinda…
Statue of Leonidas in Sparta today.

15. The Battle at Thermopylae
August of 480 BC
The Greeks were waiting for the Persians at Thermopylae. “The HOT GATES”
(If the Persians wanted to get into mainland Greece they would have to take this pass.)
Xerxes sat on a golden throne atop the pass to watch the battle.
For the first two days the 7300 Greek soldiers were able to slaughter the Persians. (Even Xerxes’ elite “Immortals”)

18. Decisive Battles Video
Decisive Battles - Thermopylae 480 BC

19. Groovy Greeks!!

20. “The last stand…..”

21. Result of Thermopylae
Created a sense of nationalism among the Greeks… This continued.
It showed Xerxes that conquering Greece was not going to be easy. The Greeks were a strong, determinded and skilled force. (just as Marathon had shown Darius)
The courageous self-sacrifice of Leonidas and his men won the Greeks many advantages… can you think of one?
Let’s Watch Spartan Related!!!