THESIS STATEMENTAt the time of the Persian Wars, King Leonidas saw the Battle of Thermopylae as a way for the Greeks to delay the Persian advance into Greece.PURPOSE STATEMENTThrough textual references based on the battle of Thermopylae, critical analysis and research, it is certain that the battle of Thermopylae was intended to block the Persian forces. INTRODUCTION Taking into account the lack of numbers in the Spartan army, they could not have chosen a better place to host this battle than at Thermopylae. The Spartans' battle tactics helped them maintain their position for the long period they fought. Despite the size of the vast Persian army, Leonidas fought to the last man. His aim was not to preserve his men but only to buy time for the rest of Greece. POSITION IS EVERYTHING The Battle of Thermopylae couldn't have worked out better for the Spartans. The mountainous hot springs of Thermopylae were the perfect place for the 300 deceased to lay down their lives. The landscape of Thermopylae was full of mountains surrounding the Spartans' left and right flank, and had an opening wide enough for the Spartans to fight while the Persians struggled to squeeze into close quarters with their huge numbers of men. The Asopos Gorge (see figure 1-1 and figure 1-2) also provided active defense during wars. Burn states that "it was guarded by a walled stronghold of the local Greeks atop the cliffs" (Burn 90). This gorge was a major obstacle for the Persians. This was the most heavily defended point leading into Greece and by far the most difficult to infiltrate. The Encyclopedia of World Biography states that "the Persian army would have to interrupt its formations to enter the mouth of the Pass and once inside it would... middle of paper... be ready to assume the role of a militaristic Spartan .The tactics used against the Persians were practiced and perfected over years of experience and training This helped them hold their ground for the long period of time they did so Thermopylae states that “the Spartan king Leonidas was general in charge of the Greek forces trying to hold back the vast Persian army, to delay it Leonidas may have hoped to block them long enough to force Xerxes to set sail for food and water.” This quote says that Leonidas did not hope to defeat the Persians but only to hold them off until reinforcements arrived to join the war. These courageous efforts were not entirely in vain. The 300 Spartans and Leonidas are dead. But they died knowing that one day their battles would help Greece defeat the Persians.