The Three Hundred Spartans.
For the Persians to get to Athens they had to get through a fifteen metre pass defended by Three hundred spartans, commandered by KIng Leonidas. The persians sent a group of warriors to dispatch the spartans but these were defeated. The persians kept trying to eleminate this small group of spartans but were unable to break through the spartans solid Phalanx formation that stretched the hole opening. The persians were held off for eight days before a traitor lead them around the spartans on a small path. The spartans had lost their advantage and now the sheer numbers of persians began to overwhelm the valiant spartans. Supposedley the spartans were offered a chance to surrender, The conversation was said to be this.
'Spartans lay down your weapons and surrender'
Leonidas replied 'Come and take them'
The spartans fought to the last man. They had not sacrificed themselves in vain, Most of the crippled Persian fleet was then sunk by a voilent storm and most of the Athenian citizens had been evacuated, those who didn't were killed or sold to slavery.
'Spartans lay down your weapons and surrender'
Leonidas replied 'Come and take them'
The spartans fought to the last man. They had not sacrificed themselves in vain, Most of the crippled Persian fleet was then sunk by a voilent storm and most of the Athenian citizens had been evacuated, those who didn't were killed or sold to slavery.