Leonidas of Sparta: Warrior king of the Greek city-state of Sparta 

Hello everyone. We've been experimenting with a bit of a podcast (a few people were asking for audio versions so they can get Biographics while doing other things)! Fair warning: none of these are new biographies, but rather me having a bit more of a free form chat around the script. I'd love to know what you think, if these are useful, wanted etc :). Thanks, Simon. Links: iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/biographics-history-one-life-at-a-time/id1450405839?mt=2 Sitcher: www.stitcher.com/podcast/biographics-history-one-life-at-a-time Website: biographics.blubrry.net/ RSS: biographics.blubrry.net/feed/podcast/ Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6N9PS4QXF1D0OWPk0Sxtb4 Trolled people: open.spotify.com/show/0JzjzwJcRqFZ3BcACtahh8?si=MG5HSm1oT0GTNm_r8_HQcg

Leonidas was a real badass. He lives 2000 years later. Legends never die

Hearing that Leonidas' troops jumped on his corpse and guarding him with their lives got me real emotional for some reason.

Fun fact. It's the 2500 anniversary year of this incredible battle. Those Spartans are the true immortals.

The fact that they guarded his body and took it back multiple times gives me goosebumps. These men were among the bravest to ever live.

When you are such a badass hero that they make a film about your heroics and everyone thinks it‘s fake because it is way too over-heroic lol

He died like a man and refused to live like a coward. His legacy will be remembered forever

Fun fact: King Leonidas was 60 years old at the time of the Battle Of Thermopylae, but he still fought alongside his men on the frontlines, and was still in great shape. That lifetime of Spartan training probably had something to do with that.

why do I feel patriotism to a city-state i was never been born to.

Hard to believe he was 60 years old in his last battle

Leonidas was the very definition of “Built different.”

He killed fully armoured enemies with his hands after his spear and sword shattered. No one will ever be that legendary again. That isn't even in video games!

If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. May your glory live forever, honorable Spartans.

King Leonidas Of Sparta. Pretty Much the most badass dude to ever live.....

So his actual death was more epic than the movie? Damn! What a sight it must have been.

This makes me want to visit Greece again. I visited many of the famous historic sites, it is a strange feeling to walk around places you first heard of as a child from a teacher reading out the classic tales. It is a beautiful country.

More than 2500 years later and we are still talking about it.... This is the true meaning of "Being Immortal" 💯

"They will remember a few stood against many" gives me chills because here we are still talking about it today. I may be crazy but to have the chance for a good death and go out on your own terms is one of the most beautiful things ever.

Leonidas was the true embodiment of the male leader. He thought of his people and wife and children defenseless back in the city, and he fought with hands and teeth when his sword broke.

This has to be the greatest display of bravery in all of history. I’ll never get tired of hearing the great story of Leonidas and the Spartans

Greetings from Greece..I love the Heroes and History of my Country

The group from Thesbes made the same decision to stay with the spartans knowing that this was certain death. You could tell each and every person had love for their respected state or their superiors who actually earned their roles through terrible hardships. Literally gives me chills just thinking about it

The Spartans were also the best in sarcasm and humor. The Athenians leader (cant remember the name) told them "if we win we will kill every man, women and child. We will spare no one." Spartans sent back one word "if".

Xerxes: "We outnumber you 20 to 1!" 300 Spartans: *JoJo pose* "then it will be a fair fight!"

"Surrender your weapons!" "You want them? COME AND GET THEM!"

Can you imagine being able to trace your bloodline to one of the 300 Spartans ? That would be hardcore

2 'Go tell the Spartans, traveller passing by, That here, obedient to their law, we lie' Memorial at Thermopylae.

As a Greek, i think our civilization had offer many thing to humanity. From philosophy(Socrates), maths(Pythagoras), pharmacology (Ippokratis) and so many more...

I spent tonight watching modern spec ops videos and this vid of a bunch of Spartans 1500 years ago is by far the most inspiring .

"From the first breath to the last, he stood for Sparta......"

why the roman soldiers though?

0:45 - Chapter 1 - Early years 5:50 - Chapter 2 - Becoming king 7:20 - Chapter 3 - The persian state 11:00 - Chapter 4 - Last stand at thermopylae 15:25 - Chapter 5 - Betrayal & death

Always loved Greek culture and may have some Greek ancestors in my blood line. My grandfather's family came from Sicily.

"For a Spartan man, the greatest honour he can achieve - is to give his life in battle"

THIS IS .... BIOGRAPHICS!!!

I can't remember the last time I heard something so powerful. Ive seen 300 many times but hearing it like this is...wow. To think it was all true and it happened on our not so big planet 2500 years ago.

Leonidas:"What is your profession?" "I am a barista/DJ/singer/songwriter and also have a vegan food blog." Leonidas:"We are doomed."

THIS IS A really informative video. Laconia is one my favorite city states in Ancient Greece purely because of their military sophistication. Great breakdown!

Why all the shots of Rome and Roman soldiers?

This is the greatest war story ever told. SPARTANS. now that was a true army

Leonidas & his troops definitely deserves the Medal of Honor for this battle!

This is without a doubt my favorite yet. You did a great warrior justice.

The most amazing fact of all, imho, and something virtually all accounts omit was the fact that Leonidas was 62 years old at this time,!!!!!!!!! THAT is what is most incredible about this battle for me... .On that final day Leonidas knowing the Immortals were now behind, them told the Spartans to follow him and in a wedge shaped formation with Leonidas himself at the spear tip. They then waded into the Persian host taking fearful toll. By that 3rd day most of their spears were shattered so most had drawn their famous swords, the dreaded Xiphos. We know from Persian scribes that Leonidas himself then wrecked havoc killing several Persian commanders in succession in hand to hand combat before succumbing finally to an arrow. Deinkes, whose famous rejoinder to a Persian warrior telling him the Persians had so many archer their arrows would blot out the sun"then we shall fight in the shade:" was one of the Spartans who succeeded in dragging Leonidas body away from the Persians after Leonidas fell. 4 times the Persians succeeded in dragging Leonidas body away and times the Greeks dragged it back It was written that he slew both Xerxes "brother" and brother in law during that 3rd and final day. Truly amazing is history and the courage of men when properly trained and motivated

My favorite quote describing the 300 Spartans is ," They were not defeated, they were only killed".

The Roman soldiers and colosseum got under my skin for some reason. I honestly would’ve preferred you put pictures of grape orchards

I walked into a truckstop in Sparta Wisconsin and screamed; SPARTANS,PREPARE FOR GLORY !! The diesel clerk was amuzed.

Nothing but praise to the the real man "Leonidas". One of the reasons why I love history. Trivia: Leonidas and Alexander The Great are related. (Even I was so amazed by the fact)

When your army is so good they have to nerf you and forced you to bring 300 soldiers only

i just want to say, "FOR SPARTAAAAA!!!"

This made me proud of being Greek and I’m Latino 😂

I've heard it said, A coward dies a thousand deaths the brave man only one ... We Salute You. those that are Fearless 🏅

I named my son Leonidas. I will teach him that he should be honoured to share a name with this man.

The Spartans were the greatest badasses in all of history.

Such a badass dude

I named my son Leonidas, the saviour of western civilization.

The Spartan Dienekes was told that the Persian archers were so numerous that when they shot their volleys, their arrows would blot out the sun. He responded, "So much the better, we'll fight in the shade"

This makes me want to watch "300" once again.

I must say, I've watched a lot of Biographics episodes but this got me in my feels.😭😭 I'm naming my son Leonidas💪😤💪

Excellent! So much love for this story and how well you brought it to your viewers!!!

I listen to you on my commute to and from work. You're doing a great job brother!

One day I'd like to have a time machine just to visit the past and witness to events for real and how accurate today's accounts are.

It never ceases to amaze me every time I think about it how a handful of city states stopped the onslaught of the largest empire at the time

and I thought 300 was dramatic and emotional lol this video got me right in the feels like I'm ready to fight or sumn

These men are true heros. Amazing.....I doubt humanity will ever experience such unimaginable bravery ever again. Wow....just wow

THIS IS ROME (apparently)

The battle of Thermopylae make me cry Every time man😭

The passage in Plutarch is unforgettable. Xerxes: 'Bow to me, and I will make you king of all Hellas.' Leonidas: 'If you knew what it meant to be truly noble, you would not covet what is not yours. It is nobler for me to die for my people, than to rule my race.' That's one of the golden moments in all the ancient records of rulers.

Imagine being one of the other Greeks. Not a Spartan, not from Lakonia, just another guy, from another place nowhere near as famous or well known. Leonidas, tell you to turn and head home quickly. That they will stay and fight to the last and delay the Persian horde. Your thoughts of home, the meals you'll miss, the time with children and wife, the summer mornings and the autumn evenings you will never see unless you flee right now, leaving these few.. to death. And you chose glory. You would not turn and run, but dig in and fight for all those things you love.. knowing you will.never see them again. But just maybe.. your sacrifice can make the difference. The your sword and Spear can keep the wolf back and win the day for those you love most. Honor isn't unique to soldiers, but it is a quality that makes a man, into a Warrior.

perhaps the best episode yet

*GREAT JOB ON THIS ONE SIMON AND COMPANY*

I got the same chills from your narration as I did from the film! That is an amazing story and Simon you are a fantastic story teller! I enjoy listening to you narrate stories that I wouldn't normally be interested in but you just have an incredible voice and I could listen to you speak about anything!! Thank you for all you do!

I've been hooked since I saw the first video. Good stuff all around. Thank you.

Tell them in Lacedaimon, passer-by That here, obedient to their word, we lie. Simonides of Ceos

One of my all time favorite stories! Great work!

Another amazing video!!

Is it just me or am my I the only one pulling my hair out and throwing things around my room when he says Leonidas!!

Fan fact: in Greek, Eplialtes, translates directly to the word nightmare.

"Persian Cowards" -King Leonidas One of the badass man in History of mankind .

im greek and that vid was really nice and very detailed good work man !

Great episode friend. Thanks!

Leonidas sounds like the biggest legend of a man ever.

Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight, we dine in hell!

This was a great presentation lots of details. Thank You

Great video!!! love them all. very entertaining and informative, if school lessons where presented like this I believe others and myself included would retain more of the information presented to us. anyway much appreciated thank you for your hard work.

One of your best yet!

Yes, I enjoyed this presentation very much and thank you.

I have to say it " This is Sparta"

The brotherhood that the Spartans showed, made them invincible, but the courage they displayed will live forever.

I love your videos, you can tell you put in hard work to make each video perfect!

Leonidas- Now that was a WARRIOR!!!! Thank-You Simon, you DID IT AGAIN!!!

I absolutely love this channel. Thank you for sharing these stories with me.

This video, is simply fantastic!

Thank you, good to know the history of these brave men, going to watch The 300 starring Gerard Butler again. THIS IS SPARTA !!!

Can’t wait for the “Ummm ACKTUALLY it’s LEO-NYE-DAS” comments

I've watch so many biographics And I can say whole heartedly this was the best ( it gave me goosebumps)

why the hell is there a random arsed photo of roman legionaries right in the middle of the video?! lol. wtf

There are way too many Roman images for a Spartan Biography. As a history teacher myself, the information and audio is good overall, but using the Roman soldier images kinda bothered me quite a bit. Still though, not bad as far as the video goes. I would give it a 7/10

25 years military service in Ancient Greece!! That’s a rough rough shift.

Awesome presentation Simon !

Imagine what we all could've become with that kind of dedication to a regiment from.birth