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It cost thousands of Greek lives.

The pass at Thermopylai was held to force a naval battle in which the Greek cities hoped to destroy the Persian navy. The sea battle failed, and the force defending the pass, having no further task, withdrew.

The Spartan contingent of 2,400 and the Thespian contingent of 1,400 continued to hold the pass, allowing 5,000 soldiers from other cities of the coalition to escape back to their cities before the Persian cavalry could break through and ride them down in open country.

It was a noble sacrifice.

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Q: How did the battle of Thermopylae save thousands of Athens escape death?
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Related questions

How does the Battle of the Thermopylae represent the ideals of Spartan?

Their steadfastness in battle was complemented by their self-sacrifice at the end by remaining to hold the pass to allow their allies to escape destruction too.


What was the outcome of the battle of thermopylae 480bc?

The persion and some of the Greeks escape while groups among the Greeks continuing fighting and all of them died


Did the 300 Spartans in the Battle of Thermopylae really die?

Yes, the 300 Spartan hoplites with their 2,000 light infantry continued to hold the pass to let their 4,000 Greek allies escape and died to preserve them.


What would be the historical impact from the battle of Thermopylae?

It was a small sideshow which had no historical impace. It did however become a symbol of self sacrifice, as the Spartan and Thespian contingents remained behind holding the pass and died to let the other Greek contingents escape.


Why did the Spartans fight to the death during the battle thermopylae?

They selflessly stayed to hold the pass until their allies could escape the field and gain sanctuary within the walls of friendly cities.


Why couldn't the Greeks hold the pass at Thermopylae?

They did hold it for three days, to force a sea battle against the Persians. When the Persians won the sea battle, the Pass had no further use, and the Greek force was withdrawn. The Spartan and Thespian contingents stayed holding the pass to let the other city contingents escape.


What were the outcomes of king leonidas's actions in the battle of thermopylae?

The plan to hold the pass to provoke a sea battle in the nearby strait to destroy the Persian navy failed as the Greeks lost the sea battle. As this failed, the Greek holding force dispersed back to their cities. Leonidas and his Spartan 2,400 heavy and light infantry continued to hold the pass to let them escape. They were slaughtered.


In Ancient Spartan History how did the Persians defeat the Spartans at Thermopylae Pass?

The Spartans led a frce to hold the pass to force a sea battle in the nearby strait. When the Greeks lost the sea battle, the reason to hold the pass no longer existed. The Spartans selflessly kept holding the pass to let their allies escape, and were overwhelmed.


What is important to know about the battle of thermopylae?

It was a holding operation to stop the Persian land advance into southern Greece. The object was to force the Persians to break the impasse with a flanking movement by sea, and the Greek naval forces were waiting, hoping to win a decisive sea battle in the nearby strait of Artemesion. The Greeks lost the sea battle and the force at Thermopylai, having fulfilled its function, was withdrawn. The Spartan and Thespian contingents remained behind to cover this withdrawal, sacrificing themselves to let the others escape. The Greek fleet reassembled in the strait at Salamis near Athens and there won the naval victory they had been seeking.


What is the importance of the battle of thermopylae?

It was a holding operation to stop the Persian land advance into southern Greece. The object was to force the Persians to break the impasse with a flanking movement by sea, and the Greek naval forces were waiting, hoping to win a decisive sea battle in the nearby strait of Artemesion. The Greeks lost the sea battle and the force at Thermopylai, having fulfilled its function, was withdrawn. The Spartan and Thespian contingents remained behind to cover this withdrawal, sacrificing themselves to let the others escape. The Greek fleet reassembled in the strait at Salamis near Athens and there won the naval victory they had been seeking.


How did Athens win the battle of marathon?

The Greeks allowed the center to give way thus exposing the Persian flanks to a concerted Greek assault causing the collapse of Persian forces who then sought to escape by sea - the Greeks then slaughtered the Persian forces attempting to escape . Look to the related link below which has an excellent representation of what occurred at the seminal battle of Marathon .


What does Thermopylae symbolise?

A valiant stand by the central Greek cities, and the sacrifice of the Spartans who fought to the death in order to allow their allies escape the field.