Battle of Thermopylae, Mordad 1. This battle stands as a significant event in the history of ancient Iran and Greece, taking place in Shahanshahi year 80 between the Achaemenid forces led by Xerxes and a coalition of Greek states under Leonidas. The Achaemenid army, vastly outnumbering the Greek defenders, attacked the narrow pass at Thermopylae. Historical accounts estimate that the Persian army numbered over one hundred thousand, while the Greek forces were around seven thousand. During the battle, the Greeks, despite their small numbers, resisted the Achaemenid advance for three days. Eventually, the Persians outflanked the Greek positions, resulting in the deaths of most defenders and opening the way for the Achaemenid army to advance further into southern Greece. The battle is remembered for the determined resistance of the Greeks and its pivotal role in the Greco-Persian Wars. In the Shahanshahi calendar, the Battle of Thermopylae is commemorated as a symbolic event reflecting the encounter of civilizations and the influence of Iran in regional history. This observance was designated in Shahanshahi year 80 to highlight Iran's role in ancient developments and to examine the political and military consequences of the conflict.
