Thermopylae

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The Greeks heard that the Persians were coming. They disagreed about what to do. Different cities made different decisions. Thebes, which was closer to the Persians, made an alliance with the Persians. Argos decided to remain neutral. The Spartans and Corinthians wanted to abandon northern Greece and only defend southern Greece (where they were). But the Athenians insisted that they should try to defend northern Greece at the pass of Thermopylae. The Spartans and Corinthians, who didn't want to seem cowardly, finally agreed to try it.

Thermopylae (Thanks to www.livius.org)

So the Athenians, the Spartans, the Corinthians, and some other soldiers from smaller cities all marched north to Thermopylae to try to stop the Persians. They got there and set up barricades. The Persians attacked, but for several days they could not get through the pass. The Greeks were happy that their plan was working.

But after a few days, a Greek traitor told the Persians about another, smaller mountain pass where a few Persian soldiers could get through. They secretly came around this back way and surrounded the Greeks.

Most of the Greeks were able to get away. But they needed time to march away, so that the Persians coming through the pass wouldn't catch them. A group of three hundred Spartan soldiers, along with some others, agreed to stay at Thermopylae and fight the Persians even though they were surrounded. They would fight as long as they could, to give the others time to get away.

More on the Second Persian War
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