The Spartan 300: The Battle of Thermopylae (Greek History)
Angela Kennedy, B.A., M.A.
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(82)
In this class, we will discuss the details of the Battle of Thermopylae in which 300 Spartans (and a small contingent of other Greek soldiers) held off the much larger Persian army.
Class experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Three hundred Spartan hoplite soldiers stood their ground at the Battle of Thermopylae against the massive Persian army in 480 BCE. We will be using ancient historians, mainly Herodotus and Diodorus Sicuclus, to compare their versions of the battle. We will look at strategy, armor and weapons, and maps to bring this amazing piece of history to life. I will also talk about the general, Themistocles, and how he used the events at Thermopylae to prepare the Greek navy to ultimately push back the...
Students will learn about one of the most famous land battles in the ancient world: why that location? why just those city-states? What is its legacy to the modern world? They will also be shown how to use varying reports to determine which sources seem more credible. They will be asked their opinion on how they might have changed the outcome of the battle, if at all. They will understand why this battle set up the Greeks to defeat the massive Persian army in the subsequent naval battle.
I am a trained historian with a masters degree. I have taught this class online, and tutored students on this topic. I am also accustomed to teaching the topic in an appropriate manner based on the students' ages and sensibilities.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
There will be an informal assessment sent to the family after the class.Grades Offered
3 files available upon enrollmentA handout (PDF) will be supplied to each student on how to create their own hoplite shield. A second handout (PDF) will be supplied to each student from Herodus' and Diodorus Siculus’ accounts of the battle.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
This is a historical battle; therefore, there will discussions of fighting with swords and arrows, depictions of armor and weapons, as well as descriptions of death and treason. I will use a brief YouTube clip in a screen-share, so no outside accounts for learners are necessary.
We will refer to the writings of Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Plutarch, and Aeschylus. There will be a very brief mention of the 2006 movie (300) based on this event and how the film differs from and supports the historical account. I will use slides to show the armor and weapons used in this battle, and also a map and pictures of modern day Thermopylae to enhance the students' understanding of the battlefield.
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(82)
I teach world history/cultures and the languages associated with them. My teaching experience (2005 - present) is varied, as are the ages I have taught. I've taught pre-school children phonics and grammar. I've taught middle-schoolers history,...
Group Class
$20
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-15
1-10 learners per class
Financial Assistance
Get The App
Tutoring
More to Explore
Beginning Group GuitarScholasticMasterpiece Academy Paintings & Drawings Inspired By Famous ArtistsGed Prep Mastering MathPunjabi Conversation For Beginners ForAddition And Subtraction With RegroupingMultipleThe OutsidersMusic PracticePrivate TutorCreate Your Own Comic MangaAlgebra OnDungeons And Dragons AdventureMusical AuditionsBeginning Watercolor Chicadee