Hot Gates of Thermopylai
The Hot Gates of Thermopylai is a narrow passage upon a hill[1] which comprised a region in the 5th century BCE Malis, Greece. The region is named after the hot springs in the area, with the word Θερμοπῠ́λαι (Thermopúlai) being Greek for 'hot gates'.
History[edit | edit source]
In classical antiquity, the passageway served as the main route between Thessaly and Lokris, and thus it witnessed numerous battles, among them the infamous Battle of Thermopylae, in which King Leonidas I led 300 Spartans[2] and 1,100 frequently-overlooked Greek soldiers[3] in a fight against the forces of Xerxes I of Persia.[1]
Following the battle, King Leonidas was buried at Thermopylai, and a statue of a lion was erected there in his honor.[1] His remains were later moved to Sparta, and buried in a proper tomb.[4]
Decades later in 431 BCE, the Spartan misthios Kassandra visited the passageway at the request of the historian Herodotos. They met at the Lion of Leonidas, where Herodotos requested Kassandra to draw out her spear. As Herodotos touched the tip of the spear, they received a glimpse of Leonidas' final moments in the Battle of Thermopylae. This seemingly confirmed Herodotos' suspicions about Kassandra and her spear's connection to Leonidas.[5]
Locations[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Concept art of the pass
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories (mentioned only)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations: "Malis: Lion of Leonidas"
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: Thermopylai
- ↑ Echoes of History – Behind the Legends – Episode 1: Leonidas
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations: "Lakonia: Tomb of Leonidas"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Memories Awoken