"Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World"

[conon394]

Finally, for whatever reason the final day went as it did, the battle most assuredly did set the course of history, changing the world in the sense that it set a limit to the imperial ambitions of Persia.

I just cannot agree with that, no matter whether Leonidas was brilliant, lucky, incompetent or courageous and devout to his duty; Thermopylae did not change history.
Now I can see why the aristocratic literary class of ancient Greece might like to dwell of the exploits of the hoplites of one of their favorite oligargical states. I find it surprising however that today Thermopylae is still treated as an isolated battle rather than as the adjunct holding operation to the much more critical naval battle at Artemesium.

I see Leonidas in the same light. He knew the promised reinforcement wasn't coming, saw what an impossible situation he was in and made the best of it.

But it also seems reasonable to suggest Leonidas made a mistake by not sending more dependable troops to back up the Phocians.

I think Jona is being a bit harsh in suggesting incompetence, but I also don’t think Leonidas necessarily meant for his whole command to sacrificed. hoplite14gr is correct the withdrawal of his all heavy infantry rearguard would have been difficult, but not impossible. During the Lamian war the Macedonian heavy infantry was able to break off battle when its own cavalry was defeated by the superior Greek cavalry.