King Leonidas and his 300 warriors

Many people have heard of king Leonidas and his 300 men. King Leonidas' name was latin for "Lions son", or "Lion like". He was also believed to be a descendant of Heracles like most heros are considered to be. On August 480 B.C Leonidas went to Thermopylae with 300 of his personal body guards and was joined by forces from some of the other Greek states. In total to form a army of 4,200 men strong. This army was formed in hope of holding off the Persians at the pass of Thermopylae. During the first couple of days the army lead under Leonidas killed about 20,000 Persians while losing few of their own. Sadly on the third day a traitor by the name of Ephialtes led the Persians though a mountain pass, the Persians then surrounded the Greeks. Before the Persians attacked Leonidas sent away all of the Greek troops except his 300 men, 900 Helots, and 700 Thespians. The Thespians refused to leave Leonidas saying that they wouldn't leave him. Sorrowfully Leonidas died that day, the Spartans protected his body until they were finally defeated.