The Hot Gates

"The Hot Gates" refers to the ancient Greek name for the Battle of Thermopylae, a crucial conflict in 480 BC where a small Greek force, led by Spartan King Leonidas, defended a narrow mountain pass against the vastly larger Persian army. The terrain made it difficult for the Persians to use their numbers effectively. Although the Greeks ultimately lost, their stand became a symbol of courage and sacrifice, delaying the Persians and allowing other Greek city-states to organize their defenses. The term highlights the strategic importance of the narrow pass as a defensive stronghold.