"Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World"

[hoplite14gr]

Agree with both Paul(s) comments. (Except Pausanias that needs thread of his own.)

In my opinion Leonidas decided to hold the main pass. He thought that Allies were enough to tackle Hydarnes. The Allies lost nerve and fled.
Hyradnes force is given a "immortals" but perhaps it contained lots of mountain people of the emepire. The Thespians too possibly attempted to hold Annopaia but at the point that meet the Thermopylae road it is terrain for light troops not phalanx and explains a lot in my opinion.
Leonidas died in hope that the he bought time for the others to clear Hydarnes. Perhaps his death was the most catlytic event that forced the Thebans surrender and Spartan,Thespian remnants to crowd on the "death hillock" and get killed.
The decision to hold Thermopylae was militarilly correct. And because of Marathon Greeks knew that they could overpower a "bottled" host.
And as I said the battle of Annopaia was never been examined carefully.
Kind regards