In 480 BCE, Persian King Xerxes led an immense army into Greece, seeking to conquer the rebellious city-states. At the narrow pass of Thermopylae, a small force of 300 Spartans, led by their king, Leonidas, stood as an unyielding barrier. Despite overwhelming odds, the Spartans fought valiantly for three days, holding back the Persian hordes. Leonidas and his men were ultimately defeated, but their sacrifice bought precious time for the Greeks to mobilize their forces. The Battle of Thermopylae became a legend, immortalizing the bravery and self-sacrifice of the 300 Spartans against the seemingly invincible Persian Empire.
