While it is commonly believed that only 300 Spartans held off the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae, there were actually over 6,400 Greek soldiers initially. After learning of a betrayal that allowed the Persians to flank them, all but 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians retreated to reorganize, leaving those soldiers behind to fight a desperate last stand over 4 days before being overwhelmed and killed.

1. SPARTA! A historical compilation of what REALLY happened. By: Sean Hubrig

3. There’s a lot of misrepresentation about what actually happened involving the Spartan last stand against the Persians at the famed battle of Thermopylae.

5. In actuality, it wasn’t only 300 Spartans that held off the Persians…

7. In the beginning, the combined Greek force reached to just about 6,400. When Sparta asked for aid, only 70 representatives out of the 700 city-states showed up.

9. It is believed that the Spartans and their allies were betrayed by a Greek named Ephialtes. He apparently showed the Persians a mountain pass that lead around the Greek army.

11. 1000 Phocian troops were left to guard this route. However, they were over run by the Persians and forced to retreat.

13. After learning this, King Leonidas ordered a war council.

15. After reaching an agreement, the remainder of the Greek forces, except for 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, retreated back to organize a better battle plan.

17. Fighting valiantly, for 4 grueling days of battle, the Spartans and their Thespian allies knew it would only be a matter of time before they would fall.

19. In a last, desperate stand, the Spartans and Thespians charged the oncoming Persian Army.

21. Ultimately, Sparta and the Thespians were crushed. Thus ending, the Battle of Thermopylae.