Today the pass at Thermopylae is far inland, up to 6 km from the sea, because of sediment infill in the Gulf of Malia, largely from the Sperchios River, and from local hot springs deposits (Plate R2). The battle Thermopylae is a classic example of the military might of both the Greek Phalanx and the warriors of Sparta. In reality, the road is essentially from the west to the east, as you can see on the satellite photo above, but Herodotus presents it as if it is from the north to the south. In antiquity its cliffs were by the sea, but silting has widened the distance to more than a mile. Passage from north to south along the east coast of the Balkan peninsula requires use of the pass. Responding, an alliance of Greek city-states, led by Athens and Sparta, assembled a fleet and an army to oppose the invaders. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Over time the shoreline has moved farther away from the mountains. (1 photo) More photos in the Photo Gallery. There was also a double fountain dedicated to Persephone - the Skylia fountain, at the foot of the ravine, next to the Middle Gate, the narrowest part of the Thermopylae. Enemy assaults would make it deeper into the pass each time as engineers whittled away at the Marines’ defenses and artillery crews braved American guns to get rounds onto the defenders’ heads. In Greece, the occasion has been commemorated with a new set of stamps and coins (all very official). This battle became celebrated in history and literature as an example of heroic resistance against great odds. The interpretation poses no problems, but there is one oddity. After the battle was finally won by the Persians and the remaining rear guard of … The vessel THERMOPYLAE (IMO: 9702443, MMSI 229711000) is a Vehicles Carrier built in 2015 (6 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Malta. The pass had also been fortified by the local Phokians who built a defensive wall running from the so-called Middle Gate down to the sea. The Battlefield and Memorial at Thermopylae Today - YouTube The battle was fought for over three days, at … The Battle of Thermopylae was fought in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae in 480 BCE during the Persian Wars. The Battle of Marathon had shown that Greek forces would be able to defeat the Persians if they could force them into tight areas where their superior numbers no longer mattered. … One in particular pays tribute to the last stand of the Spartans and their Thespian allies on Kolonos Hill, the probable spot where they fell. The Romans took part in the Battle of Thermopylae of 191 B.C., in their first engagement with King Antiochus of the Seleucid Empire. The Greek rearguard, meanwhile, was annihilated, with a probable loss of 2,000 men, including those killed on the first two days of battle. Clearly Thermopylae was a location of great strategic importance, because it commands the pass through which one goes after traveling south from Thessaly through Lokris and into Boeotia. The pass had also been fortified by the local Phokians who built a defensive wall running from the so-called Middle Gate down to the sea. Having been turned back at Marathon in 490 BC, Persian forces returned to Greece ten years later to avenge their defeat and conquer the peninsula. On 31 March Greece has issued a 2 euro circulation coin dedicated to the Battle of Thermopylae 2,500 years ago. For the ancient Greeks this place was sacred. Thermopylae definition, a pass in E Greece, between the cliffs of Mt. No doubt many people would be interested to visit the modern site of the Battle of Thermopylae after watching the movie "300" in 2007. The Battle of Thermopylae has been recreated in various mediums throughout the centuries, ... his men, Leonidas ordered the Greeks to retreat. The sea has receded over the years and it's now several kilometres away. Enemy assaults would make it deeper into the pass each time as engineers whittled away at the Marines’ defenses and artillery crews braved American guns to get rounds onto the defenders’ heads. Thermopylae, also known as Hot Gates, is a small region in Central Greece, carrying the legend and valor of a great and touching moment in Greek history. Updates? ((The topography… 2020 marks the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE (technically it is the 2,499th). Thermopylae is a narrow pass on the east coast of central Greece between the Kallídhromon massif and the Gulf of Maliakós, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) northwest of Athens (Athína). 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 current position of THERMOPYLAE is at North Sea (coordinates 51.30884 N / 3.22561 E) reported 1 min ago by AIS. In antiquity, the pass at Thermopylae, between Mt Kallidromos and the Maliakos Gulf, was the only practical route for large armies to reach southern Greece and thus the site of many a skirmish. In 480 B.C., a huge Persian army, led by the inimitable King Xerxes, entered the mountain pass of Thermopylae to march on Greece, intending to conquer the land with little difficulty. The army rolled south unopposed, until it met a small Greek force at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. When defending a narrow pass like the one at Thermopylae a phalanx was basically impenetrable to any attacks, the long spears deterring the attackers from advancing. But in 480 BC the water was closer to the road — thus creating a narrow land pass which the outnumbered Spartans used to their advantage against the invading Persians. A main highway now splits the pass, with a modern-day monument of Leonidas on the east side of the highway. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Thermopylae, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Thermopylae, Greece, Thermopylae - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). In 480 BC, a huge Persian army, led by the inimitable King Xerxes, entered the mountain pass of Thermopylae as it marched on Greece, intending to conquer the land with little difficulty. The mountains of Thermopylae as they appear today. Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. Perhaps better known today as “that battle from the movie 300,” the Battle of Thermopylae was an epic, three-day face-off between a small group of Greek soldiers and the massive Persian Army in 480 B.C. The army rolled south unopposed, until it met a small Greek force at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. But the Greeks, led by King Leonidas and a small army of Spartans, took the battle to the Persians at Thermopylae and halted their advance - almost. Thermopylae today. Publisher Sega. Thermopylae is located in eastern central Greece on the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokrisand Thessaly. Thermopylae today. Introduction Thermopylae, view from electricity mast. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Thermopýles (Thermopylae), central Greece. If you visit the site expecting a coastline with cliffs - you will be disappointed. Marathon & Thermopylae Battlefields Private Day Tour from Athens (From $267.55) All you need to know about Greece! 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