THERMOPYLÆ, in Ancient Geography, a narrow pass or defile, between the wash of the Sinus Malacus on the east, and steep mountains, reaching to Oeta, made dreadful by unpassable woods, on the west; leading from Theffaly to Locris and Beotia. These mountains
tain divide Greece in the middle, in the same manner as the Apennine does Italy; forming one continued ridge from Leucate on the west to the sea on the east, with thickets and rocks interspersed; that persons even prepared for travelling, much less an army encumbered with baggage, cannot easily find a commodious passage. In the valley verging towards the Sinus Maliacus, the road is only sixty paces broad; the only military way for an army to pass, if not obstructed by an enemy; and therefore the place is called Pylæ, and by others, on account of its hot water, Thermopylæ. Ennobled by the brave stand made by Leonidas and 300 Spartans against the whole army of Persia; and by the bold resolution of blind Euthycus, choosing rather to fall there in fight, than return to Sparta, and escape the common danger. Famous also for the Amphictyones, the common council or states general of Greece, assembling there twice a year, spring and autumn. For an account of the battle of Thermopylæ at which Leonidas with a handful of men engaged the Persian army, see SPARTA.