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The battle of Thermopylae was between the Spartans and the Persians of Xerxes. Xerxes army finally reached the plain in front of the mountain pass and encountered seven thousand Greek soldiers consisting mostly of Peloponnesians. Also during this time the Persian fleet was moving along the Greek coast with its auxiliaries. They were hit by a storm off Magnesia that destroyed over 800 of their 4000 ships. This cut in to the large naval force that had been amassed by the Persians. Also part of Xerxes plan called for the navy to branch off in to two separate fighting groups. A detachment of 200 ships was to move around the Greek fleet and box them in. At that exact moment Xerxes planned to break through at Thermopylae and advance to the mainland, and then the coast.

The Spartan contingent at Thermoplyae was able to hold off the Persians for three days. Fighting hand to hand with the Persians striking and retreating quickly, only to turn and fight again. Until, it was brought to Xerxes’ attention of another pass that could be used to outflank the Greeks.

During this time the navies engaged each other too. The Greek navy being smaller in numbers took up a defensive position, a circle. In doing so, the Persians were unable to over run them. Although there was not decisive victory by either side, the smaller Greek force was able to hold them off. When night fell a storm once again blew in. The Persian fleet of 200 ships that had broken from the main fleet earlier were caught in a savage storm, smashing them in to the rocks. The next day 53 reserve ships arrived. At night fall the Greeks attacked again sinking a number of Cilician vessels, Persian allies.

On the third day of fighting the Persians found the alternate pass and advanced towards the Spartans at Thermoplyae. The Phoenicians who were supposed to defend the pass retreated like cowards, giving way freely. When the Spartan general Leonidas heard of the advancing Persians he ordered everyone except the 300 Spartans retreat. The Spartans fought the Persians to the very last main, sacrificing their lives for the good of Sparta. On sea the fighting resumed as well. Since the Persians enjoyed their numbers they assumed a semicircle, hoping to envelop the Greek navy. The fighting was fierce and the Greeks lost half of their fleet. Under the cloud of night they retreated once again.

When Xerxes advanced once more over 20,000 of his best troops were dead and half of his fleet was sunk or unfit for battle. At the battle of Thermoplyae only 4,000 lay dead, most of them were helots.
 

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