History 115 Final Exam - Battle of Thermopylae

History 115 Final Exam

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Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae was a three day fight between The Persian Empire of Xerxes I and Greek city-states that had formed an alliance lead by King Leonidas of Sparta. It took place around the dates 8th to 10th September in 480BC. This was during the second invasion of Greece by Persia. The battle was fought at the Thermopylae narrow coastal pass. The name Thermopylae means The Hot Gates. This second invasion of Greek by Persia was a rather late response to the lost first Persian invasion of Greece. Xerxes had prepared a huge navy and army and had set out to conquer the entire territory of Greece.

Themistocles, the Athenian general proposed that they simultaneously block the Persian navy at the Artemisium Straits and the advancing Persian army at the Thermopylae pass. In mid 480BC a Greek force that had about 7,000 men proceeded north to put a barrier at the pass. In late August or early September, the Persian army arrived at the pass. Ancient sources allege that they were over a million but today it is considered to have ranged between 100,000 and 150,000 men. The allied Greeks who were vastly outnumbered, led by Leonidas, managed to hold off the Persians for a total of seven days. In two full days of fighting, the small Greek force blocked what was the only road through which the huge Persian army could through-pass. After the second day of battle, Ephialtes a local resident betrayed the Greeks. He revealed to the Persians a path that led them behind the Greek lines. Aware that they had been outflanked, Leonidas dismissed a majority of his army, remaining with 400 Thebans, 700 Thespians and only 300 Spartans to guard their retreat. Most were killed. The Battle of Thermopylae has been used by modern and earlier writers as an example depicting the power of an army patriotic to defend and fight for its soil. The defenders’ performance is also used as an example of importance of training, facilities and proper use of terrain as a force multiplier. Lastly, it has also been used to symbolize courage to overcome overwhelming odds.

Carolingian Renaissance

This was a period of cultural activity occurring towards the end of 8th century and 9th century in the Carolingian Empire. It was the first of the three medieval renaissances. The Carolingian Renaissance was inspired by 4th century Christian Roman Empire. During this time there was increased architecture, writing, arts, literature, scriptural studies, jurisprudence and liturgical reforms. This renaissance mostly occurred at the times of two Carolingian rulers; Louis the Pious and Charlemagne.