The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC, Greece)

An illustrated history story from Wonder History — free to read, with narration.

The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC, Greece) — an illustrated history story, featuring Leonidas I, Xerxes I, Ephialtes of Trachis, set in Greece. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC, Greece) — book cover — Wonder History
The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC, Greece) — an illustrated history story, featuring Leonidas I, Xerxes I, Ephialtes of Trachis, set in Greece. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

Page 1

On August 11, 480 BC, a narrow pass in Thermopylae became a graveyard for brave warriors. King Leonidas of Sparta, known for his unwavering courage, stood…
On August 11, 480 BC, a narrow pass in Thermopylae became a graveyard for brave warriors. King Leonidas of Sparta, known for his unwavering courage, stood defiant alongside his 300 Spartans. Xerxes I, the Persian King, watched as his vast army of over 100,000 soldiers surged forward. Ephialtes of Trachis, a local Greek, would betray his own people, changing the course of history forever. But where did this legendary clash truly begin?

On August 11, 480 BC, a narrow pass in Thermopylae became a graveyard for brave warriors. King Leonidas of Sparta, known for his unwavering courage, stood defiant alongside his 300 Spartans. Xerxes I, the Persian King, watched as his vast army of over 100,000 soldiers surged forward. Ephialtes of Trachis, a local Greek, would betray his own people, changing the course of history forever. But where did this legendary clash truly begin?

Page 2

In Susa, Xerxes I addressed his war council. "We shall crush these upstart Greeks! Our empire stretches from the Indus to the Nile," he boomed, his voice…
In Susa, Xerxes I addressed his war council. "We shall crush these upstart Greeks! Our empire stretches from the Indus to the Nile," he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. Artabanus, Xerxes' uncle, argued, "Great King, I fear their resolve. These Greeks are fierce. Their hoplites stand as walls of bronze!" Xerxes dismissed his concerns, determined to conquer Greece and add it to his vast domain.

In Susa, Xerxes I addressed his war council. "We shall crush these upstart Greeks! Our empire stretches from the Indus to the Nile," he boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. Artabanus, Xerxes' uncle, argued, "Great King, I fear their resolve. These Greeks are fierce. Their hoplites stand as walls of bronze!" Xerxes dismissed his concerns, determined to conquer Greece and add it to his vast domain.

Page 3

In Sparta, Leonidas prepared for war. He summoned his wife, Queen Gorgo. "The Oracle foretells a Spartan king must die to save Greece," he said gravely.
In Sparta, Leonidas prepared for war. He summoned his wife, Queen Gorgo. "The Oracle foretells a Spartan king must die to save Greece," he said gravely. Gorgo, a strong woman with braided brown hair, replied, "Then go, my king, and make Sparta proud. Your sacrifice will echo through the ages."

In Sparta, Leonidas prepared for war. He summoned his wife, Queen Gorgo. "The Oracle foretells a Spartan king must die to save Greece," he said gravely. Gorgo, a strong woman with braided brown hair, replied, "Then go, my king, and make Sparta proud. Your sacrifice will echo through the ages."

Page 4

Leonidas marched north with his 300 Spartans and allied Greek soldiers. "We will make our stand here, at Thermopylae," he declared to his men.
Leonidas marched north with his 300 Spartans and allied Greek soldiers. "We will make our stand here, at Thermopylae," he declared to his men. "Let the Persians come. We will show them the strength of the Greek spirit!" Among the allies was General Demophilus of Thespiae, a noble man.

Leonidas marched north with his 300 Spartans and allied Greek soldiers. "We will make our stand here, at Thermopylae," he declared to his men. "Let the Persians come. We will show them the strength of the Greek spirit!" Among the allies was General Demophilus of Thespiae, a noble man.

Page 5

The Persian army arrived at Thermopylae, a seemingly endless horde. Xerxes sent an envoy to Leonidas. "Surrender your weapons," the envoy demanded, his voice…
The Persian army arrived at Thermopylae, a seemingly endless horde. Xerxes sent an envoy to Leonidas. "Surrender your weapons," the envoy demanded, his voice ringing out through the pass. Leonidas, with unwavering defiance, responded, "Μολὼν λαβέ! Come and get them!"

The Persian army arrived at Thermopylae, a seemingly endless horde. Xerxes sent an envoy to Leonidas. "Surrender your weapons," the envoy demanded, his voice ringing out through the pass. Leonidas, with unwavering defiance, responded, "Μολὼν λαβέ! Come and get them!"

Page 6

For two days, the Greeks held the pass, their hoplite formation an impenetrable wall. The Spartans, with their superior training and equipment, cut down wave…
For two days, the Greeks held the pass, their hoplite formation an impenetrable wall. The Spartans, with their superior training and equipment, cut down wave after wave of Persian soldiers. "They fight like demons," Xerxes muttered, watching the carnage from his throne. The Immortals, Xerxes elite guard, were decimated.

For two days, the Greeks held the pass, their hoplite formation an impenetrable wall. The Spartans, with their superior training and equipment, cut down wave after wave of Persian soldiers. "They fight like demons," Xerxes muttered, watching the carnage from his throne. The Immortals, Xerxes elite guard, were decimated.

Page 7

Ephialtes approached the Persian camp, seeking reward for his treachery. \"I know a path that leads around the pass,\" he told Xerxes.
Ephialtes approached the Persian camp, seeking reward for his treachery. \"I know a path that leads around the pass,\" he told Xerxes. \"A path that will allow you to outflank the Greeks and crush them!\" Xerxes, his eyes gleaming with avarice, agreed, promising Ephialtes riches and power. \"I shall quote Plutarch: 'The only thing constant is change,'

Ephialtes approached the Persian camp, seeking reward for his treachery. \"I know a path that leads around the pass,\" he told Xerxes. \"A path that will allow you to outflank the Greeks and crush them!\" Xerxes, his eyes gleaming with avarice, agreed, promising Ephialtes riches and power. \"I shall quote Plutarch: 'The only thing constant is change,'

Page 8

Leonidas learned of Ephialtes' betrayal. Knowing the pass was lost, he dismissed most of his troops, but vowed to stay with his 300 Spartans and a few hundred…
Leonidas learned of Ephialtes' betrayal. Knowing the pass was lost, he dismissed most of his troops, but vowed to stay with his 300 Spartans and a few hundred Thespians. \"We must buy time for the rest of Greece to prepare,\" he declared. \"Our sacrifice will not be in vain!\" Demophilus of Thespiae remained at the king's side.

Leonidas learned of Ephialtes' betrayal. Knowing the pass was lost, he dismissed most of his troops, but vowed to stay with his 300 Spartans and a few hundred Thespians. \"We must buy time for the rest of Greece to prepare,\" he declared. \"Our sacrifice will not be in vain!\" Demophilus of Thespiae remained at the king's side.

Page 9

The Persians attacked from both sides. The Greeks fought with desperate courage, but they were outnumbered and surrounded. Leonidas fell, fighting to the last.
The Persians attacked from both sides. The Greeks fought with desperate courage, but they were outnumbered and surrounded. Leonidas fell, fighting to the last. "Spartans, fight for your freedom!" One of the surviving Spartans cried. It was a slaughter.

The Persians attacked from both sides. The Greeks fought with desperate courage, but they were outnumbered and surrounded. Leonidas fell, fighting to the last. "Spartans, fight for your freedom!" One of the surviving Spartans cried. It was a slaughter.

Page 10

Though the Greeks were defeated at Thermopylae, their sacrifice inspired the rest of Greece to unite against the Persian invasion.
Though the Greeks were defeated at Thermopylae, their sacrifice inspired the rest of Greece to unite against the Persian invasion. A year later, the Greeks decisively defeated the Persians at the Battle of Plataea, securing their freedom. Today, a monument stands at Thermopylae, bearing the words: 'Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie'.

Though the Greeks were defeated at Thermopylae, their sacrifice inspired the rest of Greece to unite against the Persian invasion. A year later, the Greeks decisively defeated the Persians at the Battle of Plataea, securing their freedom. Today, a monument stands at Thermopylae, bearing the words: 'Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie'.

About this story

  • Historical figures: Leonidas I, Xerxes I, Ephialtes of Trachis
  • Location: Greece
  • Period: Ancient
  • Audience: general readers

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