How did Ephialtes betray Leonidas?

The historical Ephialtes of Trachis, whose name is synonymous in Greek with “nightmare,” was a Malian Greek who betrayed the Spartans for Persian gold, showing them a secret path in the mountains through which a contingent of archers were able to flank and ultimately destroy the Spartans.

What did Ephialtes do?

Ephialtes, (died 461 bc), leader of the radical democrats at Athens in the 460s, who by his reforms prepared the way for the final development of Athenian democracy.

How did Herodotus feel about the Spartans?

Herodotus pointed out, as the Athenians did not, that the Spartans would have fought bravely and died nobly. But they would have lost. It was not their own tactical errors that defeated the Persians, but the resolution of Athens.

Why does Ephialtes mean nightmare?

nightmare or demon that causes nightmares, c. 1600, from Greek Ephialtes, name of a demon supposed to cause nightmares; the ancient explanation is that it was from ephallesthai “to leap upon,” which suits the sense, but OED finds “considerable” phonological difficulties with this.

What did Ephialtes say to Xerxes?

Talking to Ephialtes, Xerxes says, “The Spartans were cruel to reject you – but I am kind.” Dazzled by the fleshly rewards Xerxes offers, Ephialtes eagerly betrays Sparta by informing Xerxes of a secret path by which the Persians may attack the Spartans.

Who was the Spartan that betrayed Leonidas?

traitor Ephialtes
role at Thermopylae pass by the Greek traitor Ephialtes, outflanked them. Sending the majority of his troops to safety, Leonidas remained to delay the Persians with 300 Spartans, their helots, and 1,100 Boeotians, all of whom died in battle.

Was Ephialtes murdered?

Ephialtes, however, would not live to participate in this new form of government for long. In 461 BC, he was assassinated, probably at the instigation of resentful oligarchs, and the political leadership of Athens passed to his deputy, Pericles.

How did Ephialtes affect the battle?

Ephialtes, a Greek citizen desiring reward, informed Xerxes of a path that went around Thermopylae, thus rendering the Greeks’ line useless in preventing forward advancement of the Persian army.

What did demaratus tell Xerxes about Sparta?

He accompanied Xerxes I on his invasion of Greece in 480 BC and is alleged to have warned Xerxes not to underestimate the Spartans before the Battle of Thermopylae: The same goes for the Spartans. One-against-one, they are as good as anyone in the world. But when they fight in a body, they are the best of all.

Did ephialtes really betray the Greeks forces?

In the 1962 film The 300 Spartans, Ephialtes was portrayed by Kieron Moore and is depicted as a loner who worked on a goat farm near Thermopylae. He betrays the Spartans to the Persians out of greed for riches, and, it is implied, unrequited love for a Spartan girl named Ellas.

What is a ephialtes?

ephialtes in British English (ˌɛfɪˈæltiːz) noun. a nightmare. the demon Incubus that supposedly causes a nightmare.