The defenders' numbers were lessened by the lack of support from Thessaly and Thebes. The original plan was to launch a defen
The defenders' numbers were lessened by the lack of support from Thessaly and Thebes. The original plan was to launch a defense in the Tembi valley, but the invading army was warned of this trap by Alexander I of Macedon. While Ephialtes' betrayal caused the 900 defenders to ultimately lose the battle, it allowed Athens to be evacuated and a much larger Greek force to mobilize. FTP, name this 480 B.C. battle where a small army of Thespians and Spartans made a last stand against a much larger Persian force of Xerxes I.
The defenders' numbers were lessened by the lack of support from Thessaly and Thebes.