Thermopylae: The Leonidas Monument

Summer of 480 B.C.
The decision of Leonidas to stay and defend the then narrow passage at Thermopylae was made on the basis of both strategic facts (give time to the rest of the Greek army to regroup) and of "The Delphi Prophecy" on the outcome of the Persian attack against Greece in general, Sparta in particular:

"O ye men who dwell in the streets of broad Lacedaemon!
Either your glorious town shall be sacked by the children of Perseus,
Or, in exchange, must all through the whole Laconian country
Mourn for the loss of a king, descendant of great Heracles.
He cannot be withstood by the courage of bulls nor of lions,
Strive as they may; he is mighty as Jove;
there is nought that shall stay him,
Till he have got for his prey your king, or your glorious city."

(Photos: Michael Tziotis)

Leonidas Monument He and his 300 fellow-fighters sacrificed themselves defending the European Civilization. It was only after the Greek victory against Asian Despotism that the way to what we today call "Western Civilization" was secured. This is in fact the reason for putting so much importance on this battle; heroic deeds are common in the whole length of the Greek History, as are battles. What makes the Persian Wars different is the huge impact of their outcome to the History of Humanity in general.	Leonidas Monument The statue of Leonidas is now facing the nearby hillock (named Kolonos) on which the last of his fellow warriors fell. It was August 24th in 480 B.C. Leonidas himself had fallen short before, on more open grounds, where he had come out to face death, having abandoned the doubtful protection of a provisionary defensive wall, hastily made by warriors from Fokis. Around his fallen body fierce fighting took place for his fellow-fighters to detach it from the hands of the enemy, which they eventually managed, after four tremendous attacks. Sculptures of Mt. Taygetos and River Evrotas complete the Monument to the 300.
Leonidas Monument Shot from behind to show deco on Leonidas' shield.	Leonidas Monument Evrotas River keeping eternal company to the Hero.
Leonidas Monument Taygetos Mountain, the second of the self-sacrificed hero's marble companions.