How long was the battle of Thermopylae?

Answer 1

The Battle of Thermopylae took place in late summer or early fall of 480 B.C.E. In response to the latest Persian invasion of the Greek homeland, a small group of Greek allies, led by a soon-to-be-famous contingent of Spartans, assembled at the choke-point of the pass of Thermopylae in the hope of defeating, or at least delaying, the Persian army approaching from the north.

Answer 2

Three days.

It was not a battle as such, but rather the defence of the pass which wound through the mountains at Thermopylai whch gave access to southern Greece. The Persians were heading south in a land-sea drive, and the Greek plan was to hold the pass and entice the Persians to engage in a sea battle to break through the blockage.

The Persian fleet was the key to the war - it threatened the southern Greek cities and they kept their armies at home to defend against Persian amphibious attacks, and it protected its sea supply line on which the Persian army depended - such a poor country as Greece couldnot sustain a large army and its camp followers. So the sea battle was the key to defeating the Persian invasion, and from the Persian point of view, destroying the Greek fleet and being able to dictate terms to the whole Greek world.

In three days of fighting the Greeks lost the sea battle at Artemesion and retired to Salamis to fight a successful second sea battle there. The Greek blocking force at Thermopylai, its mission gone, withdrew back to its respective city walls, and the Spartan contingent of 300 armoured warriors (the personl bodyguard of Spartan king Leonidas) plus the 700 Thespians and their 2800 light infantry stayed behind to hold the pass until the 4,000 other city contingents of the force could get safely behind their city walls and not be ridden down by the Persian cavalry when it broke through. A noble sacrifice.

Answer 3

Many wild figures are given of the Persian invasion force - in the area of 2 million by the primary historian Herodotos, but this was the figure of the levy of the entire Persian Empire, not the force deployed which was probably 180,000.

The engagement at Thermopylai was a blocking action by about 8,000 Greek city contingents, which was sufficient to hold the pass for three days. Obviously only a similar number of Persian soldiers could be engaged at any time in its narrow confines.

Answer 4

480 BC : The Battle of Thermopylae .

Answer 5

The exact date , for the Battle of Thermopylae , has not been determined but most historians agree that August 7 or September 8-10, 480 BC is probable - the year 480 BC is not in question .

Answer 6

480 BCE - nearly two and a half thousand years.

Answer 7

Battle of Thermopylae happened on 10-09-08.

Answer 8

In mid August of 480 BC

Answer 9

480BC