480 BC
Battle of Thermopylae
The setting
Pass of Thermopylae, eastern central Greece (Malian coast)
Narrow coastal defile between the Malian Gulf and the steep slopes of Mt. Kallidromon; the Phocian Wall stood at the choke point.
Reveal the outcome
Recorded sideGreek alliance (Sparta, led by Leonidas I)
Recorded resultdefeat
Persian tactical victory after the Greek position was outflanked via a mountain path
How the atlas explains it
The Greeks neutralized Persian numbers by fighting in the narrow pass where only a small frontage could engage, and superior hoplite armor and phalanx discipline inflicted heavy losses for two days. Persia won only once the local Ephialtes revealed the Anopaea path, letting the Immortals march behind the position; facing encirclement, Leonidas dismissed most of the army and the rearguard was overwhelmed.
What followed
Tactical Persian victory that became a cultural symbol of sacrifice and free-state resistance; bought time and morale for the Greek war effort that culminated at Salamis and Plataea.