The Last Stand at Thermopylae (480 BC, Greece) — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What was King Xerxes I's main goal in his big campaign?

Choices

  1. To explore new lands and make friends.
  2. To conquer the independent city-states of Greece. ✓
  3. To find a hidden treasure in Greece.
  4. To teach the Greeks how to trade.

Answer: To conquer the independent city-states of Greece.

From page 1

What did King Leonidas say was the most important thing for fighting at Thermopylae?

Choices

  1. Having many soldiers.
  2. Having lots of food.
  3. Having great courage. ✓
  4. Having the widest pass.

Answer: Having great courage.

From page 2

How did King Xerxes I feel when he heard a small band of Greeks was blocking the Hot Gates?

Choices

  1. Happy and excited.
  2. Sad and worried.
  3. Impatient and surprised. ✓
  4. Calm and peaceful.

Answer: Impatient and surprised.

From page 3

What did Dienekes mean when he said, "Our spears will darken the sun! Then we shall fight in the shade!"?

Choices

  1. They wanted to rest in a cool place.
  2. So many Persian arrows would block the sun. ✓
  3. They were going to hide from the sun.
  4. They preferred to fight only at night.

Answer: So many Persian arrows would block the sun.

From page 4

How did Hydarnes feel when he reported to King Xerxes about the battle?

Choices

  1. Joyful because they were winning.
  2. Confident that they would break the line.
  3. Frustrated because the Greeks were unmoving. ✓
  4. Amused by the situation.

Answer: Frustrated because the Greeks were unmoving.

From page 5

What secret did Ephialtes tell King Xerxes' guards about?

Choices

  1. A hidden river with fresh water.
  2. A secret goat path that went behind the Greek lines. ✓
  3. A map to a hidden treasure.
  4. A new way to build strong walls.

Answer: A secret goat path that went behind the Greek lines.

From page 6

What did King Leonidas tell the allied Greek commanders to do after hearing about the secret path?

Choices

  1. Join the Spartans for a final attack.
  2. Go find more Spartan soldiers.
  3. Leave and save the main Greek army for another day. ✓
  4. Try to find another secret path to escape.

Answer: Leave and save the main Greek army for another day.

From page 7

What did the Immortals do when they used the Anopaea path?

Choices

  1. They stopped to rest by the mountain.
  2. They launched a sudden attack on the Phocian guards. ✓
  3. They went back to Xerxes' camp.
  4. They tried to build a new road.

Answer: They launched a sudden attack on the Phocian guards.

From page 8

What happened to King Leonidas on this page?

Choices

  1. He ran away to safety.
  2. He was captured by the Persians.
  3. He fell fighting under many Persian arrows. ✓
  4. He surrendered to the Persian army.

Answer: He fell fighting under many Persian arrows.

From page 9

What was one important result of the Spartans' sacrifice at Thermopylae?

Choices

  1. The Persians immediately went home.
  2. The Greeks gave up all hope of fighting.
  3. It gave the Greek fleet time to get ready and unite. ✓
  4. Everyone quickly forgot about the battle.

Answer: It gave the Greek fleet time to get ready and unite.

From page 10