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Quizzes > History > Wars & Historic Events

Battle of Thermopylae Quiz: Test Your Spartan Knowledge

Think you know which statement best describes the Battle of Thermopylae? Dive into our Sparta and Thermopylae facts quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art Spartan warrior wearing helmet and shield with quiz title Thermopylae battle trivia challenge on teal background

Use this quiz to decide which statement best describes the Battle of Thermopylae and the stand led by Leonidas. Review key facts on the pass, tactics, allies, and outcome so you can spot gaps before a class or exam. Want more? Try our Greece quiz or explore Spartan life .

In which year did the Battle of Thermopylae take place?
480 BC
490 BC
481 BC
479 BC
The Battle of Thermopylae occurred in 480 BC during the second Persian invasion of Greece led by Xerxes I. Greek city-states including Sparta and Athens sent forces to guard the narrow pass at Thermopylae against the vast Persian army. This date is widely accepted by historians and is recorded by ancient sources such as Herodotus.
Which Persian king led the invasion at Thermopylae?
Artaxerxes I
Darius I
Cyrus the Great
Xerxes I
Xerxes I was the Persian emperor who personally led the second invasion of Greece in 480 BC, including the forces at Thermopylae. His father, Darius I, had attempted an earlier invasion but died before it could be renewed. Xerxes assembled one of history's largest armies to punish the Greek states.
Which Greek city-state provided the 300 Spartans at the battle?
Sparta
Corinth
Thebes
Athens
Sparta was known for its military society and contributed 300 of its elite hoplites under King Leonidas to defend Thermopylae. These Spartans became legendary for their disciplined phalanx formation and sacrifice. Other Greek states also provided troops but the 300 Spartans are most famous.
Thermopylae is best described as what kind of terrain?
Forested valley
Narrow coastal pass
Wide plain
Island fortress
Thermopylae is a narrow pass between the mountains and the sea, making it strategically significant for defense against a larger army. Its geography forced the larger Persian force into confined space, neutralizing numerical superiority. The name 'Thermopylae' means 'hot gates' due to nearby hot springs.
Which famous Greek historian first recorded the battle?
Xenophon
Herodotus
Thucydides
Plutarch
Herodotus, often called the 'Father of History', provided the earliest and most detailed account of Thermopylae in his work 'Histories'. He collected stories and testimonies from participants and eyewitnesses. Later historians have debated his accuracy but still rely on his narrative.
Approximately how many days did the Greeks hold the pass?
Three days
Ten days
One day
Seven days
According to Herodotus, the Greeks held Thermopylae for three days before being outflanked. Their disciplined defense inflicted significant delays on the Persians. This stand allowed other Greek city-states to prepare for subsequent battles.
Which Greek leader commanded the overall allied Greek forces?
Pausanias
Miltiades
Themistocles
Leonidas
King Leonidas of Sparta led the allied Greek forces at Thermopylae. His leadership and decision to defend the pass with a small force of hoplites are legendary. Themistocles commanded naval forces, while Miltiades fought at Marathon decades earlier.
The Spartans were eventually outflanked by Persians because of:
Siege engines
Naval attack
A mountain path revealed by a local
Starvation
A Greek traitor named Ephialtes revealed a hidden mountain path (Anopaia) to the Persians, enabling them to outflank the defenders. This maneuver rendered the narrow pass indefensible. Leonidas dismissed most troops but kept the Spartans and a few allies to cover the retreat.
The Persian force at Thermopylae was primarily part of:
Alexander's Persian campaign
Xerxes's invasion of Greece
Darius's Ionian revolt
Peloponnesian War
The battle was a key engagement in Xerxes I's 480 BC invasion of Greece. Earlier Persians under Darius I had attempted conquest but faced resistance at Marathon. Alexander's and Peloponnesian conflicts occurred centuries later.
One strategic reason for holding Thermopylae was to:
Delay Persian advance to allow Greek city-states to prepare
Negotiate peace
Capture Athens
Secure grain supplies
Defending the pass delayed the Persian army's march south, giving other Greek states time to organize defenses and mobilize fleets. This buying of time was crucial for victories at Salamis and Plataea. Thermopylae served as a symbol of resistance, boosting Greek morale.
How many total Greek hoplites defended the pass at its peak?
About 300
About 1,000
About 7,000
About 10,000
When the engagement began, roughly 7,000 Greek hoplites from various city-states assembled at Thermopylae. This force included 300 Spartans and contingents from Thespians, Thebans, and others. Leonidas later dismissed most but kept a small rear guard.
Which naval battle occurred simultaneously to support Thermopylae?
Battle of Marathon
Battle of Artemisium
Battle of Salamis
Battle of Mycale
The naval Battle of Artemisium took place concurrently with Thermopylae in the straits off Euboea. Greek and Persian fleets clashed over three days, with heavy losses on both sides. The Greeks withdrawn after learning of the land defeat.
Which Greek tactic made the narrow pass favorable?
Elephant corps
Guerrilla warfare
Cavalry charge
Phalanx formation
The hoplite phalanx maximized defensive strength by presenting a wall of overlapping shields and projecting spears. In a confined pass, the phalanx neutralized Persian numerical superiority and light-armed troops. Open ground would have favored Persians, but Thermopylae's terrain limited the engagement width.
Herodotus estimated the Persian army size at Thermopylae as:
100,000
Two million
300,000
50,000
Herodotus famously claimed that Xerxes's army numbered around two million men, though modern historians view this as an exaggeration. His intent was to illustrate the overwhelming scale of the Persian invasion. Archaeological and logistical studies suggest a far smaller force.
Which betrayal led to the Greek defeat?
Xerxes deserted
Athenians betrayed
Leonidas surrendered
Ephialtes guiding Persians
Ephialtes of Trachis revealed the Anopaia path to the Persians, enabling them to bypass the main Greek line. This betrayal made continued defense impossible, forcing Leonidas to dismiss most troops. Ephialtes was later declared a traitor and was killed.
Which event directly followed Thermopylae in the Persian Wars?
Ionian Revolt
Battle of Marathon
Battle of Salamis
Battle of Plataea
After Thermopylae, the Greek navy engaged the Persian fleet at Salamis in September 480 BC. This decisive naval defeat forced Xerxes to retreat and marked a turning point in the war. Plataea followed the next year, sealing Greek victory.
The term "Thermopylae" translates roughly to:
Mountain Road
Hot Gates
Narrow Gates
Cold Pass
'Thermopylae' derives from the Greek words for 'hot' (thermo) and 'gates' (pylae), referring to the hot springs near the pass. The term highlights the region's geothermal activity. Ancient travelers used these springs for bathing and healing.
Which group of Spartans accompanied the 300 at Thermopylae?
Theban cavalry
Corinthian archers
Helot attendants
Athenian allies
The Spartans were accompanied by Helot attendants who served as support and freedmen but did not fight in the front lines. Helots performed tasks like tending to the wounded and carrying supplies. Spartan society relied on the Helot class as serfs.
The strategic significance of Thermopylae was primarily:
Diplomatic border
Sea control
Resource depot
Control of central Greece's land route
Thermopylae guarded the main land route from northern toward central and southern Greece. Holding it prevented Persian forces from advancing unopposed toward key city-states such as Athens. Its narrowness amplified defensive power.
What was the main reason the Spartans stayed despite orders?
Fear
Financial reward
Lack of orders
Honor and duty
Spartan culture prized courage and self-sacrifice; Leonidas and his men chose to stay and fight to the death rather than retreat. They believed dying in battle was the highest honor. This decision inspired other Greeks to resist more vigorously.
Which Persian general commanded the land forces alongside Xerxes at Thermopylae?
Datis
Hydarnes
Artabazus
Mardonius
Mardonius was a senior Persian commander who led troops in Xerxes's 480 BC invasion of Greece. He played key roles at Thermopylae and later at Plataea. Herodotus names him as one of Xerxes's chief generals.
The "Anopaia Path" was:
A mountain path used to outflank Greeks
Defensive wall
Greek retreat path
Sea route
The Anopaia Path was a hidden mountain trail that Ephialtes revealed to the Persians. It allowed Xerxes's forces to bypass the main Greek defense line. The flanking maneuver was decisive for the Persian victory.
Which ancient source besides Herodotus describes Thermopylae?
Thucydides
Plato
Ctesias
Sophocles
Ctesias of Cnidus wrote a Persian-based account that mentions Thermopylae, though his histories survive only in fragments. Thucydides focused on the Peloponnesian War, and neither Plato nor Sophocles provided detailed battle narratives. Ctesias's perspective offers a counterpoint to Herodotus.
How did the Spartans receive orders to fight to the death?
Oracle at Delphi
Custom of standing firm under Spartan law
Written decree
King's letter
Spartan law and tradition dictated that retreat was dishonorable and standing firm to the last man was a civic duty. Leonidas and his men followed this unwritten code rather than waiting for formal orders. The concept stems from Sparta's militaristic culture.
Which month did the battle occur according to ancient sources?
December
October
August
June
Herodotus records that Thermopylae took place in August of 480 BC during the Persian invasion. Seasonal winds and weather patterns mentioned in his narrative align with the late summer. Modern chronology supports the timing.
What happened to King Leonidas's body after the battle?
Buried at Olympia
Burned by Spartans
Persians beheaded and displayed it
Remained on field
According to Herodotus, the Persians beheaded Leonidas and displayed his head on a spike as a warning. His body was later returned to the Spartans and buried with honor. This act demonstrated Persian contempt and inspired Greek resistance.
Which Persian strategy aimed to intimidate Greek defenders?
Siege towers
Flank cavalry
Naval bombardment
Psychological warfare with massed infantry displays
Xerxes's army advanced in massive columns to overwhelm and intimidate Greek defenders, showcasing sheer numbers. This psychological tactic was meant to break morale before combat began. It underscored the contrast between Persian multitudes and the Greek defenders.
Which geological feature contributed to Thermopylae's narrowness?
Sand dunes
Cliff falls
Volcanic activity
Erosion from hot springs
Thermopylae's narrow pass formed where the steep mountains and the Malian Gulf coastal plain converge, shaped over time by erosion from hot springs. These springs deposited minerals, reducing shoreline width. The terrain remained constricted in antiquity, ideal for defense.
How many Spartan kings fought at the pass?
None
Three
One
Two
Although Sparta traditionally had two hereditary kings, only Leonidas led the force at Thermopylae. His co-king was not present, making Leonidas the sole royal commander. This highlights Leonidas's personal sacrifice and leadership.
What was the role of the Phocians after Thermopylae?
They rebelled against Persia
They abandoned Persia
They joined Persian forces
They allied with Sparta
After the Greek defeat at Thermopylae, the Phocians submitted to Persian rule and provided troops and resources to Xerxes's army. This was a pragmatic choice to avoid destruction. Later they switched allegiance back to Greek resistance.
Modern scholars believe Herodotus overestimated Persian numbers because:
He was biased toward Persia
He lacked sources
He aimed to dramatize scale
He misread inscriptions
Historians argue that Herodotus inflated Persian army figures to highlight Greek heroism against overwhelming odds. Logistical and archaeological evidence suggest far smaller forces. His narrative style favored dramatic effect.
The making of the "300" legend became prominent in:
Byzantine era
Classical period
Bronze Age
19th-century Romantic nationalism
During the 19th century, European Romanticism and emerging nationalisms adopted Thermopylae as a symbol of patriotic sacrifice. Artists, poets, and historians popularized the '300' narrative. Earlier classical writers did not emphasize the exact number so prominently.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Historical Context -

    Explore the political and military background that led to the Battle of Thermopylae, including tensions between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire.

  2. Identify Geographic Significance -

    Recognize the importance of the narrow mountain pass at Thermopylae and how terrain influenced Spartan defensive tactics.

  3. Analyze Military Strategies -

    Examine the differing approaches of the Spartan hoplites' phalanx formation and the Persian forces' numerical advantage.

  4. Differentiate Accurate Statements -

    Evaluate multiple descriptions to determine which statement best describes the Battle of Thermopylae and its key events.

  5. Assess Historical Legacy -

    Evaluate the enduring impact of Thermopylae on Greek unity and its legendary status in Western military history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The "Hot Gates" Geography -

    Thermopylae means "Hot Gates," referring to the narrow coastal pass framed by mountains and the Malian Gulf. Its tight terrain funneled Xerxes's massive army into a choke point, giving the smaller Greek force a critical defensive advantage (Britannica, University of Chicago). Remember "Hot Gates" whenever you ask which statement best describes the Battle of Thermopylae - you're picturing a funnel, not an open field.

  2. Spartan Leadership under Leonidas -

    King Leonidas led roughly 300 elite Spartans alongside a few thousand allied hoplites, embodying disciplined command and selfless sacrifice (Herodotus, Military History Quarterly). Their resolve illustrates why many quizzes describe Thermopylae as a heroic last stand rather than a decisive victory. Mnemonic: "L" for Leonidas equals Leadership in the face of overwhelming odds.

  3. Persian Strategy and Force Size -

    Xerxes I marshaled a multi-ethnic invasion force - ancient sources vary from 100,000 to over a million, but modern estimates lean toward 70,000 - 150,000 (Oxford Classical Studies). His plan combined infantry, cavalry, and naval flotillas to outflank Greek defenders. In any Battle of Thermopylae quiz, recall that Persia relied on numbers and maneuver rather than fortress walls.

  4. Greek Phalanx Tactics -

    The hoplite phalanx, with overlapping shields and long spears, held the line in narrow terrain where Persia's cavalry couldn't deploy effectively (Stanford University Classics). This tight formation turned each Spartan hoplite into a mobile barrier. Tip: Visualize a "shield wall" squeezing through the pass to lock in your trivia answer.

  5. Enduring Legacy and "Molon Labe" -

    Thermopylae became a symbol of courage and resistance, immortalized by the Spartan cry "Molon Labe" ("Come and take them") - a phrase still used in political and military culture (American Historical Review). Its story filters through modern books, movies like 300, and battle-themed quizzes. Whenever a question asks "which statement best describes the Battle of Thermopylae," remember it's as much about inspiration as it is about tactics.

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