How well do you really know the Battle of Thermopylae?
This 20-question military history quiz goes beyond Leonidas and the 300, testing your knowledge of the Greek and Persian forces, commanders, terrain and the events of the three-day battle. Score 60% to pass — but expect a challenge.
Need to brush up first?
Explore: [Battle of Thermopylae study] · [Quiz]
Explore the Ancient World: [Weapons & Equipment] · [Recommended Reading]
Results
Well done Spartan — you know your Thermopylae!
A score of 60% or better on this quiz requires considerably more than knowing the story of Leonidas and the 300 Spartans.
Want to explore the battle in greater depth? Walk the ground at Thermopylae and examine the terrain, armies and three-day battle in the complete BattlefieldTravels study.
Read the Battle of Thermopylae, 480 BC
Rating: Mede
Thermopylae is harder than it looks!
The popular story of Leonidas and the 300 is only a small part of what happened at Thermopylae. The terrain, Greek coalition, Persian command structure and Anopaea path all shaped the battle.
Brush up on the battle with the complete BattlefieldTravels study, then come back and try again.
HD Quiz powered by harmonic design
#1. What was the principal strategic purpose of the Greek defence at Thermopylae?
#2. Which contingent chose voluntarily to remain with the Spartans during the final stand?
#3. Approximately how wide was the pass at its narrowest point in 480 BC?
#4. What distinguished the 300 Spartans Leonidas took to Thermopylae?
#5. In the article’s terrain analysis, what ultimately defeated Leonidas’ attempt to use the pass to offset Persian numerical superiority?
#6. Approximately how many men comprised the Persian Immortals?
#7. What geographical feature made Thermopylae particularly suitable for a numerically inferior defending force?
#8. Which troops did Xerxes initially send against the Greek position on the first day?
#9. Why was Persian cavalry of little value at Thermopylae?
#10. Who revealed the route of the Anopaea path to Xerxes?
#11. Where did the surviving Greek defenders make their final stand?
#12. Why did the Phocians fail to prevent the Persian flanking force from passing them?
#13. Which Persian commander led the force along the Anopaea path?
#14. What has most dramatically changed the physical appearance of the Thermopylae battlefield since 480 BC?
#15. Which religious festival restricted Spartan military operations when Xerxes invaded?
#16. Which Greek contingent was assigned to guard the Anopaea mountain path?
#17. What existing defensive structure strengthened Leonidas’ position in the pass?
#18. Roughly how large was the entire Greek force at Thermopylae at the beginning of the battle?
#19. Who is our main source for what happened at the Battle of Thermopylae?
#20. Which characteristic of Greek equipment provided an important advantage in close combat?
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📚 Further Reading: Ancient Greek Warfare
This battle study nests within the broader analytical framework explored in the Research Hub, where operational methods, operating environments, armies, commanders, and weapons are examined across conflicts and eras. The links below connect related studies across the wider body of battlefield analysis on the BattlefieldTravels site.
⚔️ Explore all battle studies from the Ancient Greek World
🏛️Explore the museum of Ancient and Medieval historic artefacts
The book list for this conflict includes the finest campaign studies, memoirs, and operational analyses available on ancient warfare, selected specifically to complement this battlefield study.
📚Ancient Warfare – Recommended Reading
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