A king of the Greek city-state of Sparta, who was the leader of the 300 Spartans. Since the fourth Century B.C., the Greco-Persian Wars have lasted for half a century, resulting in the creation of epics which has been celebrated for thousands of years. Leonidas I, the King of Sparta, was the symbol of courage of all epics. In 499 B.C., the Persian army swept over West Asia and North Africa, during when the king of the Persians had the most powerful alliance of hundreds of tribes in the world. At the beginning of the Battle of Thermopylae, the small force led by Leonidas blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass. But Persians were led by a Greek traitor behind the Greek lines. Leonidas, aware that his force was being outflanked, dismissed the bulk of the Greek army, and remained to guard their retreat with 300 Spartans and some allied soldiers. They finally guarded the land and glory of Greece with their lives. Greco-Persian Wars ended with the final victory of Greece, and Leonidas' brave and fearless fighting will shine forever in the epic!