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Sunday 8 November 2020

1542) 2,500 Years since the Battle of Thermopylae: i) A combo of Coin and Stamps in a Special Cover issued by Hellenic Post ii) A set of Stamps issued by Hellenic Post: Date of Stamps issue: 22.09.2020:

1542) 2,500 Years since the Battle of Thermopylae: i) A combo of Coin and Stamps in a Special Cover issued by Hellenic Post ii) A set of Stamps issued by Hellenic Post: Date of Stamps issue: 22.09.2020:

The rapid expansion of the Persian Empire inevitably brought it into collision with the Greek world in the 5th Century BC. After subduing the Greek cities of Ionia and then crushing their uprising, the Persians set out to punish Athens for having assisted the Ionian cities.

In 490 BC, King Darius sent an expeditionary force under Datis and Artaphernes against Athens. The athenians, however, under the command of Miltiades emerged victorious from the Battle of Marathon.

Ten years later, King Xerxes, determined to conquer Greece, led by a far bigger army and navy against the Greeks.

The Battle of Thermopylae:

In the summer of 480 BC, some 7,000 Greek troops under Leonidas, King of Sparta, tried to halt the advance of the invading Persian army led by Xerxes.

Though vastly outnumbered, the Greeks decided to take up positions at the Straits of Thermopylae, which commanded the passage to Mainland Greece.

When the Persian King invited them to surrender their arms, Leonidas famously countered in Greek- "come and take them".

Using the narrow pass to their advantage, the Greeks managed to hold their ground for two days, until theywere betrayed by Ephialtes, who ahowed the Persians a mountain track used by shepherds, leading them behind the Greek lines, which ultimately led to the rear guard ofthe Greeks being decimated by the Persians. The Greeks made their stand against  the vast Persian horde for seven days, of which three were in battle with the Persians.

On the third day, Leonidas, realising that the battle was lost, dismissed the troops of other Greek cities, but chose to stay behind with his elite guard of 300 Spartans, the Helots and the remaining Lacedemonians. They were joined by 700 Thespians, who also opted to stay. They all fell on the battlefield.

With their courageous last stand, Leonidas and his comrades inspired the Greeks to continue  their fight against the Persians, setting an everlasting example of heroism and self-denial.

The Greeks self-sacrifice in the Battle of Thermolylae is a timeless inspiration for every nation fighting for freedom.

The Aftermath:

Although the Persians prevailed in the Battle of Thermopylae, they suffered a crushing defeat at Salamis, largely due to the brilliant command of Themistocles. Two further Greek victories in 479 BC, in the Battles of Plataea (on land) and Mykale (at sea), sealed the expulsion of the Persians from Greece. The defeat of the Persian invasion saved the Greek world from enslavement and enabled classical civilisation to flourish.

i) The Commemorative Coin and Stamps Combo Cover:

The Special Cover issued by Hellenic Post carries a Coin and Postage Stamp (Miniature Sheet) combo.

The special Handstamp/postmark bears the date of cancellation as - "22.09.2020".

For my post on the Silver & Cupro-nickel Coins issued, please visit the following link:


Two Miniature Sheets (MS) of two individual stamps each depicting scenes from the Battle of Thermopylae.

Two First Day Covers with two individual stamps each affixed with the Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark dated 22.09.2020.

Two First Day Covers (FDCs) with Miniature Sheets (MS) of two individual stamps each affixed thereon.

The four individual stamps issued in the set.

The Special Folder carries four First Day Covers, four Stamps and two Miniature Sheets.







Other interesting posts on Greek Coinage and Commemorative Coins:

 2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history 









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