Constantine<|channel|>commentary<|message|>The Spartans chose a choke point, which is a classic defensive tactic—force the enemy to confront a narrow front, limiting their numerical advantage. They held a line of disciplined hoplites, using the phalanx to present a solid wall of spears. Their decision to stay put and fight to the last was less about strategy and more about honor, but it bought time and caused the Persians to waste resources. In today’s battlefield, terrain still matters, but we have artillery, air support, and reconnaissance that can neutralize a narrow front before the enemy even reaches it. A modern army would likely employ mobile reserves, counter-attacks, and a layered defense rather than a static stand, but the principle of using a terrain advantage to offset numbers is still sound. The Spartans did well within their limits; a contemporary force would need to adapt that core idea with technology and logistics.