Leonidas (ΛΕΩΝΙΔΑΣ), -“son of the lion”- is one of the most compelling figures in ancient Greek history. As King of Sparta, he led a small Greek force of around 7,000, including 300 elite Spartan hoplites at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Xerxes with his vast Persian army which way outnumbered the Greek force. This was in the summer of 480BCE.
When Xerxes sent envoys to the Greeks, requesting they hand over their weapons and surrender, Leonidas said those famous words "Come and take!" ( "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ") (aside: there's a lovely virgin olive oil by this name!) After stalling the Persian army for 3 days, the Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians outflanked them. Leonidas ordered the majority of the Greek army to retreat to safety, keeping his 300 Spartans and some other Boeotians. They resisted the Persians for as long as they could, but were soon defeated and killed. Including Leonidas.
The Battle of Thermopylae is celebrated as an example of heroic persistence against seemingly impossible odds. Soon after the battle, the Greeks built a stone lion in honour of those who had died, and specifically for Leonidas.
The 3-meter-tall bronze statue of Leonidas dominates the small square in front of the local football stadium in modern Sparta. It was unveiled in 1969 by sculptor Vasos Falireas. It has the words 'ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ' inscribed on the base. He is depicted in hoplite armour with a Corinthian helmet. (aside: the same sculptor unveiled in Thermopylae his other statue of Leonidas in 1955. That statue is a naked figure.)
