Ancient History, Greece: Biographies

The Columbia Encyclopedia,... A Dictionary of World History The Oxford Dictionary of... Further reading

Leonidas

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Leonidas , d. 480 BC, king of Sparta. He succeeded (c.491 BC) his half brother, Cleomenes I. When the Persians invaded Greece under Xerxes (480 BC), Leonidas with 300 Spartans and 5,000 auxiliaries was given the pass at Thermopylae to hold. There was treachery. Most of the Greeks got away, but the Spartans and 700 Thespians refused to flee and were killed. Herodotus immortalized the incident. See Persian Wars .

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Leonidas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Leonidas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Leonidas.html

"Leonidas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Leonidas.html

Learn more about citation styles

Leonidas

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Leonidas (died 480 BC) King of Sparta. He won immortal fame when he commanded a Greek force against the invading Persian army at the pass of THERMOPYLAE. He held the pass long enough to make possible the naval operation at Artemisium (GREEK-PERSIAN WARS). When counter-attacked he remained behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, and died fighting – an action which allowed his allies to escape.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Leonidas." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Leonidas." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Leonidas.html

"Leonidas." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Leonidas.html

Learn more about citation styles

Leonidas

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Leonidas king of Sparta, commander of the Greeks at the battle of Thermopylae in 480 bc, where he and all his men were killed.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Leonidas." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Leonidas." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Leonidas.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Leonidas." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Leonidas.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Sean Maguire spoofs Leonidas in 'Meet The Spartans'.(Entertainment) Newspaper article from: Manila Bulletin; 3/10/2008
	gerard butler as leonidas leads his outnumbered spartans in a fierce battle... Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 3/9/2007
	Ducks find NCAA spots are worth waiting for.(Sports)(Leonidas Watson, Paul... Newspaper article from: The Register Guard (Eugene, OR); 5/29/2005