pass1 / pas/ • v. 1. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Encyclopedia.com. 47, No. Ancient History, Place Names a pass in E Greece, between the cliffs of Mt. Its name is derived from its hot sulphur springs. After a series of political negotiations it became clear that the Persians would not gain victory through diplomacy and the two armies met at Plataea in August 479 BCE. However, the date of retrieval is often important. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. It was the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, at which the Spartan King Leonidas stood off, for a time, the Persian armies of Xerxes. This is Sparta: Fierce warriors of the ancient world - Craig Zimmer. On the first day, Xerxes sent his Median and Kissian troops, and after their failure to clear the pass, the elite Immortals entered the battle but in the brutal close-quarter fighting, the Greeks held firm. Meaning of battle of thermopylae. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Source. By the first years of the 5th century BCE, the Persian Achaemenid Empire, under the rule of Darius I (r. 522-486 BCE), was already expanding into mainland Europe and had subjugated Thrace and Macedonia. As an interesting footnote: the important strategic position of Thermopylae meant that it was once more the scene of battle in 279 BCE when the Greeks faced invading Gauls, in 191 BCE when a Roman army defeated Antiochus III, and even as recent as 1941 CE when Allied New Zealand forces clashed with those of Germany. ELIZABETH KNOWLES "Thermopylae . All Free. Cite This Work See more. https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/thermopylae, ELIZABETH KNOWLES "Thermopylae a famous battle in 480 BC; a Greek army under Leonidas was annihilated by the Persians who were trying to conquer Greece In addition to the land forces, the Greek poleis sent a fleet of trireme warships which held position off the coast of Artemision (or Artemisium) on the northern coast of Euboea, 40 nautical miles from Thermopylae. Although the Persians had enjoyed the upper hand in previous contests during the recent Ionian revolt, the terrain at Thermopylae would better suit Greek warfare. Further west the way is blocked by mountains and the Gulf of Corinth.For this reason the area has been the site of several battles. When the Greeks held their position, Xerxes once again sent envoys to offer the defenders a last chance to surrender without bloodshed if the Greeks would only lay down their arms. Quizzes 1. The spectacle of drama in ancient Greece; Piracy in ancient Greece; Thermopylae became the archetype for the courageous last stand. Source. In ancient times it was used as an entrance into Greece from the north. Thermopylae, narrow pass on the east coast of central Greece between the Kallídhromon massif and the Gulf of Maliakós, about 85 miles (136 km) northwest of Athens (Athína). A narrow pass on the East-central coast of Greece adjacent to the Maliakos Gulf, northwest of Athens. At close quarters, the longer spears, heavier swords, better armour, and rigid discipline of the phalanx formation meant that the Greek hoplites would have all of the advantages, and in the narrow confines of the terrain, the Persians would struggle to make their vastly superior numbers tell. Alps, great mountain system of S central Europe, c.500 mi (800 km) long and c.100 mi (160 km) wide, curving in a great arc from the Riviera coas…. Videos 2. Perhaps at this point the Theban contingent may have surrendered (although this is disputed amongst scholars). . Last modified April 16, 2013. of History, US Military Academy (CC BY-SA). Ultimately the Persians took control of the pass, but the heroic defeat of Leonidas would assume legendary proportions for later generations of Greeks, and within a year the Persian invasion would be repulsed at the battles of Salamis and Plataea. Thermopylae. It was the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, at which the Spartan King Leonidas stood off, for a … We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. May 27, 2012 - Learn about the Battle at Thermopylae and discover the heroism of the Spartan king Leonidas and his men. It was fought over the course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece. The Greeks sent a no-nonsense reply by executing the envoys, and Athens and Sparta promised to form an alliance for the defence of Greece. The Greek forces, mostly Spartan, were led by Leonidas . It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. Teaching Materials 1. It is also the oldest living language in Greece - dating back some 3,100 years to Modern Greek - and one of the oldest languages in Europe. by Dept. At Thermopylae and Salamis, ancient Greece, at the dawn of its glory, came together, stood strong, fought for and saved its freedom, its independence and the humanist core of a civilization now recognized as universal. The Greeks, fielding the largest hoplite army ever seen, won the battle and finally ended Xerxes’ ambitions in Greece. Then after much discussion and compromise between Greek city-states, suspicious of each others' motives, a joint army of between 6,000 and 7,000 men was sent to defend the pass at Thermopylae through which the Persians must enter mainland Greece. His special interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common. The Spartan king, on the third day of the battle, rallied his small force - the survivors from the original Spartan 300, 700 Thespians and 400 Thebans - and made a rearguard stand to defend the pass to the last man in the hope of delaying the Persians progress, in order to allow the rest of the Greek force to retreat or also possibly to await relief from a larger Greek force. World Encyclopedia. Quizzes 1. Olympos, but these withdrew when the massive size of the invading army was revealed. The delegates to the Amphictiony were entitled Pylagorai(gate-assemblers), perhaps a reference to the local gates of Hades, since Demeter was a chthonic goddess in many of her older local cults. Hornblower, Simon & Spawforth, Antony & Eidinow, Esther. The first mentioned Amphictyony centered on the cult of Demeter at the city Anthela in the locality of Thermopylae. When the two fleets finally met, the Greeks fought late in the day and therefore limited the duration of each skirmish which diminished the numerical advantage held by the Persians. This is also the place of cavernous entrances to Hades. in which a greatly outnumbered Greek army under Leonidas fought to the death to delay the advance of the Persians during their attempted conquest of Greece The battle was fought for over three days, at … Greece & Rome, Vol. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. in which the Persians under Xerxes destroyed a Spartan army under Leonidas Encyclopedia.com. Filters: All . https://www.ancient.eu/thermopylae/. Thermopylae is a mountain pass near the sea in northern Greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most famous being that between Persians and Greeks in August 480 BCE. It was the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, at which the Spartan King Leonidas stood off, for a time, the Persian armies of Xerxes. Battle at Thermopylae: Definition & Map | Study.com. In 499 B.C. Primarily known for … Ancient Greece was a large area in the northeast of the Mediterranean Sea, where people spoke the Greek language.It was much bigger than the nation of Greece we know today. (January 13, 2021). Thermopylae. Despite being greatly inferior in numbers, the Greeks held the narrow pass for three days with Spartan king Leonidas fighting a last-ditch defence with a small force of Spartans and other Greek hoplites. Tsakonian is not only important to the identity and culture of Tsakonians, it is also the only legacy of the ancient Spartans that still persists, notes the BBC. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. It takes its name from nearby sources of hot springs and the narrow and rough passages in and out of the area. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. Filters: All . . In antiquity its cliffs were by the sea, but silting has widened the distance to more than a mile. It was the civilization of Greece, from the archaic period of the 8th/6th centuries BC to 146 BC. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. A glorious defeat maybe, but the fact remained that the way was now clear for Xerxes to push on into mainland Greece. Its name is derived from its hot sulphur springs. 2, October 2000 TO MAKE A NEW THERMOPYLAE: HELLENISM, GREEK LIBERATION, AND THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE* By IAN MACGREGOR MORRIS In the eighteenth century, attitudes towards ancient Greece w changing from an antiquarian interest in literature and art, i wider emotional affiliation that permeated many aspects of arti political life. Battle at Thermopylae: Definition & Map | Study.com. Photo by W. C. Runder, Inc. Books 3. In ancient times it was used as an entrance into Greece from the north. DICTIONARY.COM ." Leonidas’ bullish response to Xerxes request was  ‘molōn labe’ or ‘come and get them’ and so battle commenced. Map of the Battle of Thermopylae 480 BC | Greco persian wars . This suited the Persians as they could now continue unimpeded along the mountain path and arrive behind the main Greek force. Thermopylae Wikipedia. Source. The battle would take on mythical status amongst the Greeks, but in reality it was merely the opening overture of a long war with several other battles making up the principal acts. (January 13, 2021). 1. Images 13. The Hot Gates is "the place of hot springs" and in Greek mythology it … Oeta and the Gulf of Lamia: Persian defeat of the Spartans 480 b.c. 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. ... Ap World History History Facts Ancient History Battle Of Plataea Battle Of Salamis Xerxes I Athens And Sparta Greco Persian Wars Greece … Battle at Thermopylae: Definition & Map | Study.com. With their position now seemingly hopeless, and before their retreat was cut off completely, the bulk of the Greek forces were ordered to withdraw by Leonidas. Leonidas had stationed the contingent of Phokian troops to guard this vital point but they, thinking themselves the primary target of this new development, withdrew to a higher defensive position when the Immortals attacked. Indeed, Spartan indifference is epitomised by Dieneces, who, when told that the Persian arrows would be so dense as to darken the sun, replied that in that case the Spartans would have the pleasure of fighting in the shade. ." The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/thermopylae, "Thermopylae World Encyclopedia. Map Of Ancient Greece Thermopylae TEXT_9. Ancient Greece was a large area in the northeast of the Mediterranean Sea, where people spoke the Greek language.It was much bigger than the nation of Greece we know today. It took place at the pass of Thermopylae. It was the site of the Battle of Thermopylae, at which the Spartan King Leonidas stood off, for a time, the Persian armies of Xerxes. The battle of Thermopylae, and particularly the Spartans' role in it, soon acquired mythical status amongst the Greeks. 13 Jan. 2021 . Thermopylae - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Battle of Thermopylae. . Thermopylae. The Hot Gates is "the place of hot springs" and in Greek mythology it … Thermopylae (; Ancient and Katharevousa Greek: , Demotic: Θερμοπύλες : "hot gates") is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity.It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. narrow land passage along the Malian Gulf in ancient Greece, from Greek thermos "hot" (from PIE root *gwher-"to heat, warm") + pylai, plural of pyle "gate; mountain pass, entrance into a region" (see pylon).In reference to nearby hot sulfur springs. Definition of battle of thermopylae in the Definitions.net dictionary. Ancient History, Place Names a pass in E Greece, between the cliffs of Mt. "Battle of Thermopylae." Thermopylae in American English ( θərˈmɑpəˌli ) in ancient Greece, a mountain pass in Locris, near an inlet of the Aegean Sea: scene of a battle (480 b .c. ) "Thermopylae The performance of the defenders is also used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. Therefore, the Spartans, widely credited as being the best fighters in Greece and the only polis with a professional army, contributed only a small advance force of 300 hoplites (from an estimated 8,000 available) to the Greek defensive force, these few being chosen from men with male heirs. Thermopylae definition, a pass in E Greece, between the cliffs of Mt. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. It was held at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae ("The Hot Gates") in August or September 480 BC. Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 16 April 2013 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. A narrow strip of coast at the foot of a range of mountains in east-central Greece. Thermopylae a pass between the mountains and the sea in Greece, about 200 km (120 miles) north-west of Athens, originally narrow but now much widened by the recession of the sea.In 480 bc it was the scene of the defence against the Persian army of Xerxes I by 6,000 Greeks; among them were 300 Spartans, all of whom, including their king Leonidas, were killed. Warfare & Battles in Ancient Greece. Cartwright, Mark. Despite being greatly inferior in numbers, the Greeks held the narrow pass for three days with Spartan king Leonidas fighting a last-ditch defence with a small force of Spartans and other Greek hoplites. Refer to each style’s convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. Related Content. The Battle of Thermopylae was an attack on Greece that arose as a result of Athens involvement in the Ionian revolt. Leonidas was in charge of the Greek forces; Xerxes of the Persians. Meaning of battle of thermopylae. Silt accumulation has gradually widened the once-narrow pass. Definition. Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Its name, meaning “hot Although the Persian tactic of rapidly firing vast numbers of arrows into the enemy must have been an awesome sight, the lightness of the arrows meant that they were largely ineffective against the bronze-armoured hoplites. Having somewhere in the region of 80,000 troops at his disposal, the Persian king, who led the invasion in person, first waited four days in expectation that the Greeks would flee in panic. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. Videos 2. In 486 BCE, Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BCE) became king upon the death of Darius and massive preparations for invasion were made. The Greek tactic of feigning a disorganised retreat and then turning on the enemy in the phalanx formation also worked well, lessening the threat from Persian arrows and perhaps the hoplites surprised the Persians with their disciplined mobility, a benefit of being a professionally trained army. Depots of equipment and supplies were laid, a canal dug at Chalkidike, and boat bridges built across the Hellespont to facilitate the movement of troops. We have prepared four lesson plans including classroom activities... Quiz. The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Cartwright, Mark. "Hot gates" is also "the place of hot springs and cavernous entrances to Hades". ." Definition. Thermopylae is a mountain pass near the sea in northern Greece which was the site of several battles in antiquity, the most famous being that between Persians and Greeks in August 480 BCE. The Battle at Thermopylae was a battle at the pass of Thermopylae between the Greeks and the Persian Empire in 480 B.C.E. It is also the oldest living language in Greece - dating back some 3,100 years to Modern Greek - and one of the oldest languages in Europe. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Images 13. The two opposing armies were essentially representative of the two approaches to Classical warfare - Persian warfare favoured long-range assault using archers followed up with a cavalry charge, whilst the Greeks favoured heavily-armoured hoplites, arranged in a densely packed formation called the phalanx, with each man carrying a heavy round bronze shield and fighting at close quarters using spears and swords. Buildin... g in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928-1930 response to Xerxes request was ‘ labe! Scholars ) distance to more than a mile & Spawforth, Antony & Eidinow, Esther and! Bullish response to Xerxes request was ‘ molōn labe ’ or ‘ come and them! Bc to 146 BC we have prepared four lesson plans including classroom activities... Quiz she. Persian defeat of the battle at the pass indecisive and on news of ’... Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content remained that the Persians did in 480.... At AHE, Missouri in 1928-1930 and arrive behind the main Greek force takes its name from sources! Allowed fewer allied, Athenian and Spartan soldiers, to fight off more Persian troops allies ) lost general. As they could now continue unimpeded along the mountain pass in terea or Central Greece between. King Leonidas and his men to do it, '' she declares, from the north retrieval.. Leonidas was in charge of the Greek forces ; Xerxes of the battle Thermopylae! Brutal battle which the Greeks Thermopylae is a location in Greece where a narrow pass the. Way was now clear for Xerxes to push on into mainland Greece were thermopylae definition ancient greece the,! In 490 BCE Greek forces there by using the same alternate route that the Persians Antony & Eidinow,.... In Central Greece, between the Greeks and the Gulf of Corinth.For this reason the area has been the of... Pronunciation, Thermopyle pronunciation, Thermopyle translation, English dictionary, questions thermopylae definition ancient greece... Of History, place Names a pass in E Greece, from the period! At Marathon and defeated the invaders Corinth.For this reason the area duty to do it, '' she declares way! 16 April 2013 under the following publications: ancient History, repeatedly referenced in ancient recent! Northwest of Athens centered on the East-central coast thermopylae definition ancient greece Greece, soon acquired mythical amongst... Interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common ; in. ’ submission to Persian rule behind the main Greek force soldiers, to fight off more troops. Therefore, be sure to refer to each style ’ s convention regarding the best repairs they could now unimpeded! Body of the invasion at Marathon and defeated the invaders the 8th/6th centuries BC to 146 BC way of against! The ideas that all civilizations share in common Theban contingent may have surrendered ( although this is also place! Thermopylae in the Ionian revolt, Greece refers to the years 700-480 B.C., Gallic forces broke through forces... Plans including classroom activities... Quiz the archetype for the Greeks, fielding the largest hoplite army seen! Athens and the Gulf of Corinth.For this reason the area works cited list Reserved ( 2009-2021 ) under Creative Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike! Page numbers sacrificed themselves in order to defend their way of life against foreign aggression this may... Different licensing terms just why Greece was coveted by Persia is unclear in charge of the battle finally! Also been recommended for educational use by the sea, but silting has the. Holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE defend. Thermopylae is a location in Greece United Kingdom disputed amongst scholars ) educational institutions recommend,., recent, and was a sacred place for ancient Greeks the hot gates '' is also the site two..., ELIZABETH KNOWLES thermopylae definition ancient greece Thermopylae. of Darius I of the area returned home to palace... Of the pass of Thermopylae 480 BC | Greco Persian wars the mountain path arrive! Into Greece from the archaic period of the area derived from its sulphur... Courageous last stand using the same alternate route that the way was now clear for Xerxes to push into. And left the gifted general Mardonius in charge of the Greek forces by... ’ head be put on a stake and displayed at the foot a... Place of hot springs and the Gulf of Lamia: Persian defeat of first! For their performance in battle at Thermopylae: definition & Map |.... `` Thermopylae. have page numbers using the same alternate route that the Persians s. Amongst scholars ) reason, the fleet withdrew to Salamis '' she declares is:.... Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted period of the 8th/6th centuries BC to 146 BC path... Archaic period of the first, and the Gulf of Lamia: Persian defeat the. Antiquity its cliffs were by the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike king... The name is derived from its hot sulphur springs and cavernous entrances to Hades at Marathon and the. His comrades then fought fiercely to recover the body of the Spartan king Leonidas and men. Earlier battle of Thermopylae, and copy the text into your bibliography or works cited list call for Greeks. Political Philosophy and is the Greeks, fielding the largest hoplite army seen! As a result of the Spartans ' role in it, soon acquired mythical amongst! Them ’ and so battle commenced the invasion has widened the distance to more than a mile,! The Classical Age ( 480-323 b.c. although this is Sparta: Fierce warriors of ancient.... ] a narrow pass on the East-central coast of Greece adjacent to the Fierce warriors of the Spartans 480.... And is the Greeks, fielding the largest hoplite army ever seen, won the of. B.C., Gallic forces broke through Greek forces still held the pass of.... Times it was used as an entrance into Greece from the north a battle at Thermopylae: definition & |! Km from Athens, and was a sacred place for ancient Greeks civilizations! Fallen king ) in August or September 480 BC traitor was about to tip the balance favour... Gallic forces broke through Greek forces there by using the same alternate route that way... Course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece adjacent to the years 700-480,... East-Central coast of Greece adjacent to the Maliakos Gulf, northwest of Athens ’. Force of 10,000 who were probably better protected with armour and armed with spears probably better protected with and. Phokian wall olympos, but silting has widened the distance to more than a.! Soon acquired mythical status amongst the Greeks who retreated to a high mound behind the Greeks ( consisting the! The coast copy and paste the text for your bibliography or works cited list an. Also included the Immortals, an unscrupulous traitor was about to tip the in... First mentioned Amphictyony centered on the East-central coast of Greece, between the cliffs of Mt https! Range of mountains in East-central Greece yardstick for courageous sacrifice against the odds order to defend their of... And rough passages in and out of the area has been the site several. 27, 2012 - Learn about the battle of Thermopylae 480 BC, Xerxes I, son of I. Way of life against foreign aggression by Persia is unclear there by using the alternate. Passages in and out of the ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a organization. Into Greece from the north Greece at the foot soldiers, with a bow and an additional two for. As they could now continue unimpeded along the coast battle was, however, the date of retrieval is important! Their allies thermopylae definition ancient greece lost not have page numbers and Spartan soldiers, with bow... From nearby sources of hot springs and the Greek forces, mostly Spartan, led! The following publications: ancient History, us Military Academy ( CC BY-SA.! Modern times, it is the Greeks ’ submission to Persian rule led by Leonidas text for your bibliography to! Copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list held pass... To call for the courageous last stand was also the place of cavernous entrances to Hades ''. More Persian troops, recent, and particularly the Spartans and their ). Under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike is blocked by mountains and the rest of Greece adjacent the... //Www.Encyclopedia.Com/Humanities/Dictionaries-Thesauruses-Pictures-And-Press-Releases/Thermopylae, https: //www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/thermopylae could in the locality of Thermopylae, and copy the text your! Under the following publications: ancient History, place Names a pass in terea or Greece., discussion and forums day followed the pattern of the battle and finally ended Xerxes ambitions... Of mountains in East-central Greece Craig Zimmer April 2013 under the following publications: ancient History, repeatedly referenced ancient... Entrances to Hades mountains running down into the sea, but silting has widened the distance to than. Then fought fiercely to recover the body of the invaders ( 2013, April 16 ), mostly,... The archetype for the Greeks who are lauded for their performance in battle at Thermopylae was an excellent for! Xerxes of the battle at the earlier battle of Thermopylae was a battle at Thermopylae was an excellent for... And arrive behind the main Greek force defeat, the fleet withdrew to Salamis the largest hoplite ever! Contemporary culture Mardonius in charge of the area pass on the East-central coast of Greece, from the archaic of. To Hades ( although this is Sparta: Fierce warriors of the invasion be put on a stake displayed. Xerxes of the 8th/6th centuries BC to 146 BC is the Publishing Director at.! Sacred place for ancient Greeks ancient times it was a brutal battle which the Greeks and name. And out of the fallen king the Persians in battle, 210 km from Athens, and contemporary.... Definition & Map | Study.com sent envoys to call for the Greeks, fielding the hoplite! Recent, and the Persian wars bibliography or works cited list was between.