Thermopylae was a failure. No really, it was an unmitigated disaster for the Greek defenders, with the only real questions being about what caused this (Leonidas’ generalship, failure of intelligence, sluggishness, indecisiveness, or infighting in the high command such that it existed). Just for a reference point, there were 300 full-blooded Spartans, 298 of whom [...]
Also tagged Leonidas, PersianWars, Salamis, SpartaOn the eve of the Persian Wars1 Sparta was undeniably the most powerful military force in Greece. The only true competitor during this period was Argos, but under Kleomenes, Sparta annihilated their army at Sepeia, supposedly killing half of that generation’s military capacity. Athens had a naval component of sorts, but it was not until [...]
Also tagged Argos, Athens, Boiotia, Kleomenes, Leonidas, Mardonios, Peloponnesian League, Persia, Persian Wars, Plataia, Sepeia, SpartaWaterloo, the final defeat of Napoleon by the joint Prussian and British forces was an incredibly well-orchestrated defense by the Duke of Wellington, who bore the brunt of the French assaults until the Prussian army arrived and finalized the defeat. But before the Prussians arrived Wellington drove off multiple charges of the French cavalry, defended [...]
Also tagged Britain, Clemobrotus, Davout, Epaminondas, France, Leuctra, Napoleon, Ney, Prussia, Pylos, Sparta, Thebes, Waterloo, Wellington