Ephialtes and the Death of Leonidas

While the Persians were hesitating thus, a Greek shepherd, Ephialtes, stole into their camp, and, vile traitor that he was, offered to show them another way to get into Greece, if they would pay him well. This man was led into the tent of a Persian general, where he explained that he could easily lead a troop of Persians over the mountains. ::More

Leonidas at Thermopylae

The Persian army had come to the Pass of Thermopylae; and Xerxes, seeing that it was guarded by only a few men, sent them a haughty message, bidding them surrender their arms. ::More

Greek Preparations for Defense against the Persians

The news of Xerxes’ crossing of the Hellespont, and of his approach to conquer Greece, soon reached Athens, where it filled all hearts with fear. The people then remembered Miltiades, and bitterly regretted his death, and their ingratitude, which had been its real cause. ::More