Battle of Thermopylae
480 BC
On the arrival of Xerxes at Thermopylae, he found that
the place was defended by a body of three hundred
Spartans and about seven thousand hoplites from other
states, commanded by the Spartan king Leonidas.
Xerxes learning about the small number of Greek forces
and that several Spartans outside the walls were
exercising and combing their hairs, in his perplexity,
immediately called Demaratos to explain him the meaning of
all these. Demaratos told him that the Spartans will defend
the place to the death and it was custom to wash and
dress their hairs with special care when they intended to
put their lives in great danger. Xerxes who did not believe
Demaratos, delayed his attack for four days, thinking that
the Greeks as soon as they would realize his great forces
will disperse.
He sent also heralds asking to deliver up their arms. The answer from
Leonidas was "Come and Take Them" (Molon Labe)
A Spartan, who was told about the great number of Persian soldiers, who
with their arrows will conceal the sun, he answered: "So much the better,
we will fight in the shade".
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