02-12-2012, 01:25 AM
Yes, Herodotus was certainly exaggerating the Persian numbers (bit of an ancient spin doctor methinks :wink: ) Of course even 20,000 would have looked a massive amount to the relatively few holding the pass at Thermopylae. I have read at least a couple of opinions from military logistical experts who feel that the Persian forces would have numbered at the most 60,000-100,000 it is a debatable issue I suppose, but doubtful that we would all ever agree on a set number and even if we did, how could we prove it? :-)
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Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
Mark Hayes
"The men who once dwelled beneath the crags of Mt Helicon, the broad land of Thespiae now boasts of their courage"
Philiades
"So now I meet my doom. Let me at least sell my life dearly and have a not inglorius end, after some feat of arms that shall come to the ears of generations still unborn"
Hektor, the Iliad
