Leonidas I

The legendary Spartan king Leonidas I is known for his bravery during the Battle of Thermopylae. Every Spartan citizen at the period was prepared for combat, and martial practice practically consumed every waking moment from childhood. As a result, when the Persians pounded on the doors of ancient Greece, Leonidas was destined for greatness. One of King Anaxandridas II of Sparta's sons, Leonidas, was rumored to be Heracles (more often known as Hercules)' ancestor and to have inherited much of his strength and ability.

With his outstanding leadership at the Battle of Thermopylae against the power of the Persians, Leonidas made a lasting impression on the course of history. Down the writings of the eminent Greek historian Herodotus, the legend of his incredible final struggle against all odds has been passed down through the decades. He related the tale of how a two million-man Persian army was resisted for three days by 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians at Sparta. The number of Persians has now been revised to 250,000, although this does not lessen the valor displayed by Leonidas and his soldiers in defending the narrow pass of Thermopylae. His tale is still cited today to demonstrate how even the smallest troops can be made to perform to their fullest ability via experience, training, and the strategic use of terrain.