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Leonidas

Leonidas

8 9.5
King of Sparta who led Greek soldiers at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC
  • proper noun
  • /liˈɒnɪdəs/
: Leonidas
  • King Leonidas bravely led his troops at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.

People don't love Gerard Butler, people love King Leonidas.

Examples

  • The story of King Leonidas and his last stand has inspired many generations.

  • At great cost to the Persians, the Spartans and their king Leonidas were killed.

  • Give thanks, men... ...to Leonidas and the brave 300.

  • As the Spartans kicked major ass... even Leonidas believed... victory was theirs.

  • Leonidas's stand at the "hot gates" of Thermopylae serves today as a symbol of heroic resistance against insurmountable odds.

    Academic text (2002)
  • In 480 BCE, Leonidas, King of Sparta, defended the pass at Thermopylae against the Persian army of King Xerxes.

    Academic text (1995)
  • In Herodotus's account of the battle, combatants fight for the body of Leonidas just as the Greeks and Trojans fight for the bodies of their fallen comrades in the Iliad.

    Academic text (2002)
  • At the Battle of Thermopylae, the legendary King Leonidas and his soldiers faced overwhelming odds against the Persian army.

Synonyms

Leonidas I
vsLeonidas
1 8.8

King of Sparta who died in 480 BC and led the Greek army at Thermopylae against the Persians

is the same historical king but shown with a variant formal name

Surface Forms

Leonidas main

Etymology

Leonidas comes from old Greek parts: leon- 'lion' and -idas 'son of'. So Leonidas can be read as 'son of a lion' or 'lion-like', which fits his fame as a brave leader.