Thermopylae

Thermopylae (/θərˈmɒpᵻliː/; Ancient and Katharevousa Greek: Θερμοπύλαι [tʰermopýlai], Demotic: Θερμοπύλες [θermoˈpiles]: "hot gates") is a place in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. The Hot Gates is "the place of hot springs" and in Greek mythology it is the cavernous entrances to Hades".

Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces including the Spartans and the Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,/That here obedient to their laws we lie." Thermopylae is the only land route large enough to bear any significant traffic between Lokris and Thessaly. This passage from north to south along the east coast of the Balkan peninsula requires use of the pass and for this reason Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.

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