Thermopylae The battle of the 300 Spartans & Delphi Day Tour

Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece

Thermopylae is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city states led by King Leonidas of Sparta and the Persian Empire of Xerxes.

The Gates of Fire: Deriving from the Hot sulphur Springs and in Greek mythology the cavernous entrances to Hades.

The monument of King Leonidas: Erected in 1955 and created by the sculptor Vasos Falireas. The brass sculpture of the Spartan King with his spear and shield is truly amazing.

Hotsprings: The baths of Thermopylae could be described as a paradise of healing spas. High end hydrotherapy facilities focusing on balneotherapy not only as a treatment for specific ailments, illnesses and injuries but also to promote general well-being. Of the 60 pending, 34 springs have officially been recognized so far.
Gazing out at the now serene valley of Thermopylae, the landscape of Central Greece spread

Thermopylae Museum, Thermopylae Greece

Thermopylae museum: The innovative museum is dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history and western civilization as we know it today.

Duration: 30 minutes

In antiquity, the pass at Thermopylae, between Mt Kallidromos and the Maliakos Gulf, was the only practical route for large armies to reach southern Greece and thus the site of many a skirmish. The most famous battle occurred in 480 BC, when 300 Spartans under King Leonidas, along with 700 Thespians, delayed the vast army of Xerxes in a legendary last stand, following the betrayal by Ephialtes, who showed the Persians how to outflank the Greek forces.

Delphi formerly also called Pytho is famous for the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The Greeks considered Delphi the navel or center of the world as represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi.

Delphi archaeological site: A Unesco World Heritage Center, Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The functions of the oracle grew over the centuries to include athletic games, cultural events, most importantly the Pythian games. The Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater, the Stadium, the Athenian Treasury, the Gymnasium, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia are truly captivating.

The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Ancient Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I of Sparta, and the Achaemenid Empire of Xerxes I. It was fought in 480 BC over the course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece.
The battle took place simultaneously with the naval battle at Artemisium. It occurred at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae ("The Hot Gates") in August or September 480 BC. The Persian invasion was a delayed response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece, which had been ended by the Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. By 480 BC, Xerxes had amassed a massive army and navy and set out to conquer all of Greece. The Athenian politician and general Themistocles had proposed that the allied Greeks block the advance of the Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae, while simultaneously blocking the Persian navy at the Straits of Artemisium.

The Temple of Apollo, god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles occupied the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The edifice with the partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC; it is the third temple built at the same place. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated inside the temple, the location chosen, according to one tradition, due to a sacred chasm beneath the site emitting vapors, which were inhaled by the Pythia. Some ancient writers state that the Pythia then entered a state of delirium and uttering inarticulate cries, which were then turned into equivocal oracles by the priests.

Leonidas was a king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, and the 17th of the Agiad line, a dynasty which claimed descent from the mythological demigod Heracles and Cadmus. Leonidas was son of King Anaxandridas II. He succeeded his half-brother King Cleomenes I to the throne in c. 489 BC.
Leonidas had a notable participation in the Second Persian War, where he led the allied Greek forces to a last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) while attempting to defend the pass from the invading Persian army; he died at the battle and entered myth as the leader of the 300 Spartans. While the Greeks lost this battle, they were able to expel the Persian invaders in the following year.

Relax in the hot springs of Thermopylae

According to mythology, Thermopylae’s hot springs were created by Hephestus at Athena’s request, as a gift for Hercules. The modern spa was built in 1935 and the village of Thermopyles (the name means Hot Gates) has developed into an important spa resort in Central Greece.

Thermopylae

Honour be to those who choose
to devote their lives to guarding Thermopylae; steadfast in their duty;
just and measured in word and deed,
but also merciful and kind;
generous in times of wealth, and in times of hardship,
come what may, giving of their best;
always truthful themselves,
yet without rancour for the deceitful.
And even greater honour be to those
who foresee (and many do)
that Ephialtes will inevitably emerge
and the Barbarians will in the end break through.

The famous Greek poet Constantine Cavafy wrote these words in honour of the heroes of Thermopylae

Parnasos mountain

Visit Arachova one of the most magnificent Village in the mainland enjoy Lunch and shopping

Many important ancient Greek artifacts from the excavations at Delphi are housed here.

Frieze of the Treasury of Sifnias

Naxian Sphinx: Dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head.

Metopes of the Athenian Treasury: Early 5th century BCE you will gaze upon Theseus and Antiope, Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus and Marathonian bull, Heracles and the cattle of Geryon, Heracles battling the three-bodied giant Geryon, Heracles subduing a Centaur, Heracles and Cycnus, Heracles and the Nemean lion, An Amazonomachy scene and many more.

Omphalos: Signifying the center of the earth and kept in Apollo's temple.

Kleobis and Biton: Two brothers from Argos. The statues are of the typical kouros type attributed to a Peloponnesian workshop and date to the end of the 7th century BC.

Statue of Antinoos: Portrays the celebrated for his beauty, youth and emperor Hadrian's favorite as a god.

The tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronoia (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόνοια, “Athena of forethought”) is a circular building that was constructed between 380 and 360 BC. It consisted of 20 Doric columns arranged with an exterior diameter of 14.76 meters, with 10 Corinthian columns in the interior.
The Tholos is located approximately a half a mile (800 meters) from the main ruins at Delphi. Three of the Doric columns have now been restored, making it the most popular site at Delphi for tourists to take photographs.

The gymnasium, which is half a mile away from the main sanctuary, was a series of buildings used by the youth of Delphi. The building consisted of two levels: a stoa on the upper level providing open space, and a palaestra, pool and baths on lower floor. These pools and baths were said to have magical powers, and imparted the ability to communicate to Apollo himself.

The ancient theatre at Delphi was built further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo, giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the valley below. It was originally built in the 4th century BC. The koilon (cavea) leans against the natural slope of the mountain whereas its eastern part overrides a little creek that led the water of the fountain Cassotis right underneath the temple of Apollo.

The orchestra was initially a full circle, with a diameter measuring 7 meters around (23 feet). The rectangular scene building ended up in two arched openings, of which the foundations are preserved today. The theater at Delphi could accommodate about 4,500 spectators.

its façade was decorated with scenes from Hercules’ life in relief. Further repairs and transformations took place in the 2nd century AD. Pausanias mentions that these were carried out under the auspices of Herod Atticus. In antiquity, the theater was used for the vocal and musical contests which formed part of the Pythia

The Temple of Apollo, god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles occupied the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The edifice with the partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC; it is the third temple built at the same place. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated inside the temple, the location chosen, according to one tradition, due to a sacred chasm beneath the site emitting vapors, which were inhaled by the Pythia. Some ancient writers state that the Pythia then entered a state of delirium and uttering inarticulate cries, which were then turned into equivocal oracles by the priests. This interpretation is controversial, and has been challenged by scholars such as Joseph Fontenrose and Lisa Maurizio, who argue that the ancient sources uniformly represent the Pythia speaking intelligibly, and giving prophecies in her own voice.

Enjoy a delicious lunch on the Caldera of Mt Parnasus at Delphi, overlooking the Corinthian sea, the fabulous ancient port of Itea, Amfissa and the picturesque town of Galaxidi.

Pickup from your Hotel, Airbnb or apartment in Athens. Drive to Thermopylae.