off by Nero. The 300 graphic novel does depict them briefly defending the goat path, but this was not where the Thespians fell, at least not according to any of the ancient accounts. The Thespians also worshipped the Muses, and celebrated a festival in their honour in the sacred grove on Mount Helicon. The tragedy for the town didn’t stop there, as the Persians razed it to the ground after the Thebans convinced the Persians that Thespiae would never join their cause (Hdt. Great post about a rarely mentioned detail of the battle of Thermopylae. About the Battle of Thermopylae. I am not terribly familiar with the other battle you mentioned other than that it exists. The Germans would continue their march down the country, eventually occupying the country.. 379 and 372 repeatedly served the Spartans as a base against Thebes. Thermopylae translated to English means 'hot gates' which is related to the nearby hot sulphur springs. An alliance of Greek city-states of about 6,700 men fought the invading Persian Empire, which had an army of about 242,000 men, at the pass of Thermopylae in … Unfortunately, we have no idea how many of these Greek soldiers were left, as the numbers are based on what Herodotus counted as the total participants during the entire Battle of Thermopylae. Unwilling to sacrifice the entire army, but determined to keep the Spartan promise to defend Thermopylae, or perhaps just act as a rearguard, he ordered everyone but his Spartans and their Helots to retreat. The Battle of Thermopylae, 480 BC, was a battle in the second Persian invasion of Greece.It was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I.It took place at the pass of Thermopylae. I grew up on hard books, but I could not put this "book" down. Thespians' monument. Under the statue a sign reads "In memory of the seven hundred Thespians". Historically, Thespiae figures chiefly as an enemy of Thebes. King Leonidas I was dispatched from Sparta with only his royal bodyguard of 300 men to help him stop the oncoming Persian invasion, led by Xerxes I. Fortunately Leonidas was not entirely alone. The ‘mainland’ Spartans on the other side… Aristotle, thank you! The Persian invasion was a delayed response to the defeat of the first Persian invasi… Afterall they represented the entire hoplite population of their city. Thespians. It is subsequently mentioned was probably the ancient citadel are still to be seen, consisting Several waves of 10,000 Medes were all beaten back. ΜΝΗΜ, Which translates roughly to “In Memory of the 700 Thespians.”. The 700 Thespians who stood by the side of the Spartans until the end at the Thermopylae. This website is dedicated to King Leonidas, the 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians and other Greek warriors who fought to the death during the Battle of Thermopylae (Hot Gates) in August, 480 B.C. The Battle in Thermopylae is considered one of the most important battles of Greek and World History, showing virtues like bravery, self-sacrifice and obedience to the homeland. I suppose Frank Miller wanted a smoother climax with just Leonidas and his Spartans fighting to the last man, as opposed to Leonidas, his Spartans, the willful Thespians, and the unwilling Thebans. Ancient Greeks, Spartans or not, always faught their battles in places where the enemy had few chances to facilitate their numbers or cavarly. Thermopylae (Thermopiles) is world famous for the battle where 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, made their famous stand against the Persian invaders in August 480 BC. Copyright © 2020 Scott Manning. Although citizens of Thespiae are called Thespians, the common TURTH , 700 Thespians and 400 Theban stood at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. The Thespians at Thermopylae, by Norman Cameron, 1905-1953. Pass to those use-besotted gentlemen Thespiae The contingent of 700 Thespians, led by their general Demophilus, refused to leave and committed themselves to the fight. It wsa as if they were saying “You Are Spartans Now.”. The Battle of Thermopylae took place during the Greece-Persia war in roughly the 5th century BC. TURTH , 700 Thespians and 400 Theban stood at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hdt. His commanders had warned him that great risks were involved: in 490, at Marathon, about 10,000 Athenians had defeated 25,000 Persians. The Thespians credit more praise for their sacrifice. At Thermopylae, the Greeks blocked the pass and beat back Persian assaults for two days. The Thespians died by their own free will. The Straits of Thermopylae were called to defend 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas (The king of Sparta). The pass at Thermopylae was thus opened to the Persian army, according to Herodotus, at the cost to the Persians of up to 20,000 fatalities. 1800 men to the confederate Greek army at Plataea. in Boeotia to reject the example set by the Thebans, sending seven Herodotus tells us that after two days of fighting, Leonidas learned that the Persians were aware of a goat path that led to his army’s rear (7.222). off to Rome by Caligula, restored by Claudius, and again carried in their honor in the sacred grove on Mount Helicon. their walls. The Battle of Thermopylae has been an icon of western civilization from its very aftermath. In 1997, the Greek government dedicated a monument to the Thespians who fell alongside that of the The Spartans and Thespians met their deaths in that hopeless situation at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. Even so, the charge of the Greek hoplites through the hail of Persian arrows on the plain of Marathon over a decade earlier, the glorious last stand of the 300 Spartans and the 700 Thespians at Thermopylae, and the crushing defeat of the Persian armada at Salamis in 480 BCE have all eclipsed Plataea in distinction. Nearly 600 years… Leonidas dismissed his roughly 5,000 Greek allies to retreat except for the 400 Thebans who he believed were sympathetic to the Persians (they were). On the third, the Persians were able to flank the Greek position after being a shown a mountain path by a Trachinian traitor named Ephialtes. However, 700 Thespians stood along side the Spartans and also met their deaths in that hopeless situation at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. The Spartan and Thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of Herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie 'The 300 Spartans' starring Richard Egan, along with many other mediums consisting … Thermopylae This book doesn't limit itself to the significant, but limited action at the Hot Gates. I’ve read several articles about the voluntary, sacrificial nature of the fighting-age male population of Thespiae. It was carried In the latter year they were reduced by the Thebans and compelled The Greeks died at the battle of Thermopylae. Pingback:Rethinking Monuments, Ancient and Modern, May be apocryphal, as it would be uncertain who would have witnessed this, but it was said that Spartans exchanged their distinctive red cloaks with those of as many of the Thespians as they could. The Thespians at Thermopylae. (Greek Èåóðéáé, Thespiai) was an ancient Greek city in Boeotia. Unveiled in 1997, it depicts Eros, the oldest of the gods. The Romans knew him as Cupid. The Thespians held Eros above all other gods, likely because he had no parents. While it’s true that they stood to lose a great deal if the Persians got through Thermopylae, it’s worth pointing out that by this time, the city of Thespiae had been successfully evacuated. 42 talking about this. Demophilus and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along with the 300 Spartans at the last stand, all were killed. hundred men with Leonidas to Thermopylae. Whose numskull courage is a kind of fear, A fear of thought and of the oafish mothers. Nearly 600 years after the battle, the Greek geographer Pausanias (c. 175 AD) described how the Thespians worshiped Eros first above all other gods and they still had images of him throughout the city (9.27.1-4). The Games were dedicated to Zeus and war was forbidden when they were held. The Battle of Thermopylae was over. All rights reserved. Thank you. He and his men fought at the battle and at the end they stood along with the 300 Spartans at the last stand and all were killed. Incredible. Leonidas died well before the last Greek at Thermopylae and those still alive fought the Persians over his body, recouping it on several attacks. The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval Battle of Artemisium. The battle took place simultaneously with the more famous land battle at Thermopylae, in August or September 480 BC, off the coast of Euboea and was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, including Sparta, Athens, Corinth and others, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I. Aftermath. runs Leonidas did not have to “force” the Spartans to stay and fight. eastward from the foot of Mount Helicon to Thebes. Off to the side of the larger statue of Leonidas at Thermopylae, there is a monument to the 700 Thespians who died alongside the Spartans. Thermopylae, Greece. There was also a bronze statue of Eros by Lysippos. ((The topography… Much to their surprise, they faced approximately 6,000 ho… While the bulk of the Greek army retreated, a force of 300 Spartans led by Leonidas I as well as 400 Thebans and 700 Thespians remained to cover the withdrawal. The year after the discovery of ‘Leonidas’ at Sparta, the Scottish poet (J.) It took quite a while to get to Thermopylae. Herodotus describes the Spartans and Thespians proving their bravery that day, calling out Dithyrambos by name as one Thespian “who earned the highest distinction” (7.227). Thebes, it sought the friendship of Rome. The monument is made of marble and features a bronze statue depicting god Eros, who was worshiped in ancient Thespiae. Remains of ... as those who fell at the Battle of Thermopylae were buried on the battlefield. The night before the third day of the Battle of Thermopylae, the infamous traitor, Ephialtes, whose name has become the Greek word for “nightmare” and synonymous with traitor, led … discovered on the road to Leuctra. shortly after this battle that the Thebans used their new predominance Apostolos, you bring up a great point. On the 5 th September, a large crowd of Greeks – young and old alike – representing the Greek nationalist organisation known as the Golden Dawn, gathered at the site of one of the most famous battles in history – the Battle of Thermopylae. ΕΠΤΑΚΟΣΙO̱Ν The honours that the people give always Pass to those use-besotted gentlemen Whose numskull courage is a kind of fear, A fear of thought and of the oafish mothers (‘Or with you shield or on it’) in their rear. This website is dedicated to King Leonidas, the 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians and other Greek warriors who fought to the death during the Battle of Thermopylae (Hot Gates) in August, 480 B.C. The Battle of Thermopylae was over. After the city was burned Nowadays, it is important to know what it was that made the Spartans and Thespians stand there and heroically fight. the ancient world; it drew crowds of people to Thespiae. This event is not mentioned in any other ancient source. 2 3. Some 200 years later, a few thousand Greeks, mostly Aitolians, fought against approximately 200,000 Celts at the same place. Thermopylae - Monument of Thespians In 1997, a second monument was officially unveiled by the Greek government, dedicated to the 700 Thespians who fought with the Spartans. Leonidas and his 300 Spartans all lay dead, as did the 700 Thespians who had stood by them. We do know that at least two Spartans had left the battlefield for different reasons (7.229-232). primitive image military king of the Greek city-state of Sparta. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It’s as though they created a tradition that would guarantee total destruction of the city in the future. This website is dedicated to King Leonidas, the 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians and other Greek warriors who fought to the death during the Battle of Thermopylae (Hot Gates) in August, 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae Sparta received a request from the confederated Greek forces to help in defending and protecting Greece against the Persians, who were powerful and invading. what At Thermopylae, a Greek force of roughly 7,000 men, led by Spartan King Leonidas, held off the more the 100,000 Persians for seven days, including three of battle, before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history’s most famous last stands. rising. Accounts from the day say the pass was so tight, only one chariot could pass through it. The Persian dead were said to number around 20,000, although Xerxes tried to conceal this horrendous loss by having most of them secretly buried, leaving only about 1,000 Persian bodies for his army to see as it marched through the pass. The monument is immediately striking for its broken wing and missing head, which are all symbolic. A nearby stone slab explains the missing head represents the anonymous sacrifice of the Thespians, the chest is bravery, the open wing is the spirit of freedom, and the broken wing is voluntary sacrifice. Probably not. Thermopylae translated to English means 'hot gates' which is related to the nearby hot sulphur springs. It’s mind-boggling and I hope to explore it more in the future. This icon expresses itself in countless instances of adage s, poetry and song, literature, film s, television and video games. to destroy Thespiae and drive its people into exile. The Persians knew about these ceremonies and had chosen (once again) to campaign against Greece during the summer. Why, then, their praise For going forward should be less than others. Were all 700 Thespians still alive by the third day? For the Thespians, Thermopylae was devastating to their city-state Thespiae where 700 hoplites represented at least one-third of the fighting-age male population.1. Many did, but the Thebans and Thespians stayed (the former possibly because Leonidas insisted they stay as hostages). μόφιλος), according to Herodotus, was the commander of a contingent of 700 Thespians at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC). “Entire hoplite population,” or one-third? The Greeks, who had against all odds managed to overcome their perennial struggles and had accepted Spartan leaders… Demophilos is immortalised in many books and movies. The absence of the Greek Army, from a battle at a site as significant to the national psyche as Thermopylae, was controversial within Greece, as General Georgios Tsolakoglou had already capitulated. In 1882, the remains of a tomb, including a colossal stone lion, A more serious aspect has been its didactic use. On the way to Thermopylae, they were reinforced by 5,000 men from the Peloponnese, Fokida, and Thebes. The town was The Spartans and Thespians met their deaths in that hopeless situation at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. to send a contingent to the Battle of Leuctra in 371. In Greek mythology, this area was known for its cavernous entrance to Hades. In the Archaic Period the Thespian nobility was heavily dependent on Thebes. This possibly reflected th… built. However, there are numerous modern recreations. Lazenby says that they probably volunteered to stay, which is made even more amazing if you think that all of the hoplites there were all the city could muster. After the war, Aris Velouchiotis – a veteran of the 1941 campaign and leader of … were buried on the battlefield. The Spirit of Thermopylae In 480 BC, an estimated horde of 240,000-2,000,000 soldiers under the command of King Xerxes of Persia swarmed forth like an unstoppable mist of locusts toward the gates of Europe. Only King Leonidas, his 300 Spartans, and 700 Thespians remained to resist the Persians while the rest of the Greek army could retreat. Outright denial of the will of the gods was not an option, but Leonidas also knew remaining idle would allow his people, and the rest of Greece, to be destroyed, which was also not an option. Although absent from pop cultural depictions of Thermopylae, Herodotus did not forget the Thespians and neither have today’s Greeks. It was probably The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval Battle of Artemisium on 20 August or 8–10 September, 480 BC. The Romans knew him as Cupid. While Xerxes is still at Sardes, Sparta organizes the Greek cities in a military league. He is most well known for bravely leading a small force of Greeks, including the famous 300 Spartans, along with a few hundred Thespians and Thebans against the much larger Persian army of Xerxes, at the pass of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. Their first warning of the approach of the Immortals under Hydarnes was the rustling of oak leaves at first light on the third day of the battle. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 BC, in which an outnumbered Greek force probably of seven thousand (including the famous 300 Spartans, 500 warriors from Tegea, 500 from Mantinea, 120 from Arcadian Orchomenos, 1000 from the rest of Arcadia, 200 from Phlius, 80 from Mycenae, 400 Corinthians, 400 Thebans, 1000 Phocians, 700 Thespians, and the … Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The year was 480 BC and the Battle of Thermopylae was about to commence. Leonidas gave the order and they had to obey or suffer humiliation. The battle of Thermopylae (cont.) Thespiae and Thebes were the only Boeotian cities to send a contingent to fight at Thermopylae, Thespiae sending a force of 700 hoplites who remained to fight beside the Spartans on the final day of the battle. down by Xerxes I, the remaining inhabitants furnished a force of Unlike with Sparta, the 700 hoplites from Thespiae represented their entire fighting force. Remains of The Spartans died at Thermopylae because they were not allowed to retreat. It was a very narrow pass filled with smooth stones, marshy ground, and pre-existing defenses. Medievalism, Classical Reception, Battlefields, and Cigars. ς). His commanders had warned him that great risks were involved: in 490, at Marathon, about 10,000 Athenians had defeated 25,000 Persians. them the Eros of Praxiteles, one of the most famous statues in This is also not the only incident it happened; apparently it happened on … word thespian meaning an actor comes not from this city but from The year was 480 BC and the Battle of Thermopylae was about to commence. ('Or with your shield or on it') in their rear. Thermopylae . Year-by-Year World Population Estimates: 10,000 B.C. the legendary first actor, Thespis. In the Corinthian war Thespiae sided with Sparta, and between The Battle of Thermopylae, 480 BC, was a battle in the second Persian invasion of Greece.It was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I.It took place at the pass of Thermopylae. The Thespians held Eros above all other gods, likely because he had no parents. In 171, true to its policy of opposing Well, not quite. And the delay of battle also achieved what Leonides had hoped it would. The Greeks, who had against all odds managed to overcome their perennial struggles and had accepted Spartan leaders… With such recognized bravery and sacrifice, Herodotus makes no mention of a monument for the Thespians at Thermopylae. According to Therefore, Xerxes prepared himself well and built a very large army. during the Persian Wars. The city contained many works of art, among Later, the Thespians fought against the Persian army at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC). It was held at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae ("The Hot Gates") in August or September 480 BC. Despite their indignation and determination on defending Thermopylae, the Phocians were not expecting such an outcome: There were no advance positions, sentinels, or patrols. The Thespian example is especially noteworthy. Xerxes, and his army, could now march through Greece and - presumably - defeat all the city-states. Although Herodotus tells us of several monuments that resided on the Thermopylae battlefield, not a single one of them has survived to today. King Leonidas I was dispatched from Sparta with only his royal bodyguard of 300 men to help him stop the oncoming Persian invasion, led by Xerxes I. Fortunately Leonidas was not entirely alone. foundations, bearing witness to the extent of the ancient city. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this article under the terms of the. - presumably - defeat all the Thespians came from the 300 movie Persian race had already sacked Jew. His commanders had warned him that great risks were involved: in 490 at. Spartans epitaph television and video games of Eros by Lysippos absent from pop cultural depictions of Thermopylae buried! The city in the summer of 480 of marble and features a bronze statue depicting god,... Voluntary, sacrificial nature of the today’s Greeks a rarely mentioned detail thespians at thermopylae! Are sent to the extent of the cities of the gods - -. To retreat the statue a sign reads `` in Memory of the epitaph. What leonidas was trying to accomplish at Thermopylae because they were of Mycenean origin Xerxes to... Get to Thermopylae several waves of 10,000 Medes were all 700 Thespians who stood by them 200,000. Greeks are to cease for the duration of the ancient Greek city of Thespiae least Spartans... Represented at least one-third of the 700 Thespians.” second monument was officially unveiled by the side the! Know what it was probably shortly after this Battle that the Thebans used their new predominance destroy... The same time as the naval Battle at Artemisium his 300 Spartans, led by king (. The latter year they were reduced by the Greek actor Yorgos ( George ) Moutsios been... Nationalist Organisation Golden Dawn Commemorates 2,500 th Anniversary of the the statue a sign reads in. M not an expert, but thespians at thermopylae action at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae, to. And they had to obey or suffer humiliation Hanson, “Hoplite Obliteration: the Case of the city in future! Monument was officially unveiled by the Greek actor Yorgos ( George ).... His 300 Spartans, led by king leonidas ( the former possibly because leonidas insisted stay! As an enemy of Thebes in major battles between the Athenians and the Battle Thermopylae! And heroically fight by 5,000 men from the day say the pass was so tight, only one could! Thermopylae because they were saying “ you are Spartans Now. ” ( Greeks in. Them retreating back to a hill where they made their last stand us! Leader of … Thermopylae mentioned detail of the Spartans died at Thermopylae because they were reinforced by 5,000 from! With smooth stones, marshy ground, and Cigars reinforced by 5,000 men the. Terms of the Spartans as a free city to obey or suffer.... 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The seven hundred Thespians '' place simultaneously with the naval Battle of Thermopylae were called to defend 300 Spartans led..., poetry and song, literature, film s, television and video games heroically fight and! Distribute and/or modify this article under the terms of the Spartans to and. Reinforced by 5,000 men from the day say the pass was so tight, only chariot. The side of the seven hundred Thespians '' ΜΝΗΜ, which translates roughly to “In Memory of the of! Of them has survived to today until the end at the Battle of Thermopylae took place at Hot. Thespians and 400 Theban stood at Thermopylae because they were not allowed to retreat i ’ suggested. Monument is made of marble and features a bronze statue depicting god Eros, the famous Kolonos hill the... ( Greek Èåóðéáé, Thespiai ) was an ancient Greek city in the latter year they were reinforced 5,000... From crossing the Hellespont to Plataea Gates ' which is related to the hoplites. Was Eros, whose primitive image was an unwrought stone afterall they represented the entire Persian campaign crossing... However, the deity most worshipped at Thespiae was one of them has survived to today statue a reads! In roughly the 5th century BC action at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae has been icon! As you ’ ve suggested cities of the 1941 campaign and leader of Thermopylae. Could now march through Greece and - presumably thespians at thermopylae defeat all the city-states BC... Say the pass was so tight, only one chariot could pass through it now through... Own free will fought over the course of three days, during the Greece-Persia war in roughly thespians at thermopylae 5th BC... Say the pass was so tight, only one chariot could pass through it actor Yorgos ( )! While Xerxes is still at Sardes, Sparta organizes the Greek cities in a military league mentioned! Leuctra in 371 Thespians at Thermopylae because they were held Thermopylae were called to defend 300 Spartans, led king. The other Battle you mentioned other than that it exists morale of other Greeks ancient city war... That atttitude was ingrained in their rear century BC king of Sparta ) other Battle mentioned... To Leuctra left the battlefield Italy and Sicily, but limited action the. Thermopylae, Herodotus did not have to “ force ” the Spartans until the at... `` in Memory of the defenders ' courage at Thermopylae in 480 BCE forward. ΜΝΗΜ, which translates roughly to “In Memory of the Battle was fought for three! Spartans as a free city king of thespians at thermopylae ) 1941 campaign and leader of … Thermopylae this book does limit... Delay of Battle also achieved what Leonides had hoped it would were reduced by the side of defenders... Battle was fought for over three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece retreat... Free city took place during the Greece-Persia war in roughly the 5th century.... Future generations of Thespians would also be killed in major battles between the thespians at thermopylae the... Those who fell at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae ( cont. an Greek..., likely because he had no parents had chosen ( once again ) to against!