What were the long term effects of the Battle of Thermopylae?

Answer 1

It was a ploy to force a sea battle in the adjacent strait. The Greeks lost the sea battle, and most of the Greek land forces withdrew. As a failed military venture, it had no long term effects whatsoever other than to provide a basis for modern romantic tales of the last stand of the 300 Spartans.

Answer 2

It's purpose was to precipitate a naval battle in the nearby strait to destroy the Persian fleet's ampbibious threat to the Greek city-states, which kept them from joining together to oppose the Persian army.

As the sea battle failed, the Thermopylae defence had no effect in the course of the war. It did however have a morale effect that the Persians were not invincible.

Answer 3

As their commitment and loss involved only one of their two kings and his personal bodyguard, its military effect was low.

From a morale point of view it gave succeeding generations an inspiring example.

It also enhanced the reputation of Sparta, as its small force selflessly remained behind holding the pass to the death to allow its allies to eacape the battlefield before the inevitable Persian breakthrough.

Answer 4

Thermopylae was a small delaying battle in the Persian invasion of mainland Greece. The Greeks lost, and the Persians advanced to capture Athens.