In 480 BC, Xerxes I of Persia invaded Greece with an enormous army that had to pass through a narrow stretch of road at Thermopylae. Led by Leonidas of Sparta, a tiny battalion of Greeks set up a barricade and defied all attempts to disarm them. However, a traitor sold Xerxes news of a path around them.

On hearing he was surrounded, Leonidas gave his men permission to leave, but a thousand chose to stay. When the Persians attacked next morning, they killed every one of the Greeks but their own losses were grievously heavy, and the delay to their progress gave the Greek commanders in Athens time to make plans that ultimately cost Xerxes his campaign.

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