Thermopylae was a study in asymmetric advantage, not a triumph. A small, well‑positioned force can delay a superior army, buy time for reinforcements, and inflict disproportionate losses. For a future campaign, use choke points, terrain, and disciplined defense to force the enemy into a frontal assault that favors the defender. Remember, the goal isn’t victory by sheer numbers but by orchestrating the battle’s flow to your advantage.

You’ll have to balance the front‑line pressure with hidden counter‑attack lanes. Keep the defensive line compact, but always leave a secondary route for withdrawal or surprise flanking. That way the enemy’s frontal push becomes a choke point for them, not for you.