Leonidas I was a king of the Greek city-state Sparta. He led Spartan forces and other groups of Greek soldiers during the Second Persian War against King Xerxes's Persian forces. Most people know of him because of he and his Spartan's heroic acts at the Battle of Thermopylae. At a young age, Leonidas was not the heir to the throne. So he still had to go through the harsh training of Spartan youth. As things unfolded later in Leonidas's life, he became heir to the throne. He is one of the few Spartan kings to have undergone this training. During Leonidas's kingship, Persia began an invasion of Greece. Leonidas led around 300 Spartan troops and other troops from Greek city-states (around 14,000) to defend Greece against the Persian forces. He died a heroic death at the Battle of Thermopylae.
Quotes
"Come and take them." -Leonidas I
-King Leonidas said this after King Xerxes of the Persians told the Spartan warriors to give up their weapons.
"Have a good breakfast men, for tonight we dine in Hades!" -Leonidas I
-King Leonidas said this to his soldiers as they ate their breakfast because no one thought that they would survive the day; they didn't.
-King Leonidas said this after King Xerxes of the Persians told the Spartan warriors to give up their weapons.
"Have a good breakfast men, for tonight we dine in Hades!" -Leonidas I
-King Leonidas said this to his soldiers as they ate their breakfast because no one thought that they would survive the day; they didn't.