Leonidas and the 300 Spartans are revered in history for their heroic stand against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. King Leonidas I of Sparta led a small force of 300 elite Spartan warriors and 700 Thespians against the overwhelming Persian army, led by King Xerxes I. Despite being outnumbered, the Spartans held the narrow pass of Thermopylae for three days, inflicting heavy casualties on the Persians. Though ultimately defeated, their valiant sacrifice inspired the Greek city-states to unite and ultimately defeat the Persians, cementing Leonidas and his 300 Spartans as legendary symbols of courage, honor, and unwavering determination in the face of insurmountable odds.
