On the first day of the siege, when Xerxes demanded the Greeks surrender their arms, Leonidas is said to have replied Molon Labe ("Come and get them"). And on the third day, the king is reputed to have exhorted his men to eat a hearty breakfast, because that night they would dine in Hades.

It is said that on the eve of battle, he was told by a native of Trachis that the Persian archers were so numerous that, when they fired their volleys, the mass of arrows blocked out the sun. Dienekes, however, undaunted by this prospect, remarked with a laugh, "Good. Then we'll have our battle in the shade."

Eurytus were stricken with an eye infection and ordered to return home. Eurytus turned back and ordered his helot attendant to lead him back to the battle, and into combat.

The Thespians, led by Demophilus, volunteered to
stay in the suicidal effort to delay the Persian advance.
They fought along side the Spartans until they were all
overwhelmed and killed to the last man.

Suffering from an eye disease he was ordered to return to Sparta. Aristodemus was regarded as a coward and subjected to humiliation and disgrace at the hands of his compatriots. No Spartan would speak to him or give him a light to kindle his fire.

At the Battle of Plataea, Aristodemus fought with such fury that the Spartans regarded him as having redeemed himself. However, they would not award him any special prize for valor because he had fought with suicidal recklessness, and the Spartans regarded as more valorous those who fought while still wishing to live.