The Battle of Thermopylae
King Xerxes invades Greece with the largest army ever assembled. At the narrow pass of Thermopylae, King Leonidas of Sparta leads a small force to delay them. When Xerxes demands they surrender their weapons, the Spartans reply "Come and take them." For two days the Greeks hold the pass. Then a traitor shows the Persians a mountain path. Leonidas sends away most Greeks but stays with his 300 Spartans and some allies, knowing they will die. They fight until their weapons break, then with hands and teeth. All die. Their epitaph: "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie."
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Explains that Xerxes invaded with a massive army and the Greeks chose to defend at Thermopylae
Cause & Consequence
Explains the strategic purpose: buy time for Greek cities to prepare
Meaning
Takes a position on whether the sacrifice was worth it
Evidence
Cites a specific passage (epitaph, Spartan reply, final battle description)
Defense
Maintains or thoughtfully revises their position under challenge
How It Works
Your AI tutor will guide you through this text using the Socratic method. Instead of giving you answers, it asks questions that help you discover the meaning for yourself.
- 1.Read the text carefully
- 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
- 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
Free to try. No credit card required.