Why were the spartan soildiers willing to sacrifice themselves at thermopylae?

Answer 1

They held on until the end to allow their allied city contingents time to escape to the walls of friendly cities before the Persian cavalry broke through to ride then down in the open country of their escape route. The Thespian contingent also stayed to help, and they died as well.

Answer 2

They knew that they needed to hold the Persians for as long as possible, by fighting to the last man they could hold the persians for the maximum possible time. They were also surrounded and by staying gave their allies time to retreat safely. But most importantly Spartan society drilled into every man that there is no better thing than to die in battle against a superior enemy and that to leave a battlefield is the absolute worst thing they could ever do - Spartan women would tell their sons and husbands that they must come back with their shield or on it.

Answer 3

Leonidas gave his fellow Greeks the time to save themselves even though it cost him his life . The redoubtable Leonidas and his fellow Spartans , along with a numerically superior Theban force , fought a "Rear-Guard" action allowing other soldiers to safely evacuate the battlefield and return home to warn others to escape the Persians whom they know would defeat the Greek contingent and lay waste to their cities and crops .

Answer 4

the Spartans were stronger fighters than the Athens's. the Athens were artists. the Spartans were gladiator's.