Leonidas I
King of Sparta
"Molon labe (Come and take them!)"โ Response to Xerxes' demand to lay down their weapons.
Biography
Leonidas I was a warrior-king of Sparta. Trained from childhood in the agoge (Spartan military education), he was known for his stoicism and martial prowess.
When the oracle prophesied that Sparta would either fall or mourn the death of a king, Leonidas chose the latter. He marched to Thermopylae with only 300 royal bodyguards and a few thousand allies to block the Persian advance.
For three days, they held off the massive Persian army. When surrounded, he dismissed his allies but stayed with his Spartans to fight to the death. His sacrifice rallied the Greeks and paved the way for ultimate victory.