Xerxes:

Xerxes:

When scouts initially informed Xerxes of the size of the Greek force and of the Spartans who were performing preparations which included naked calisthenics and combing their hair, Xerxes found the reports laughable. He projected the compel to part at any moment and waited four days for the Greek force to retreat and this was due to the not understanding the ritual significance of the Spartan preparations as the actions of men with the resolution to fight to the end. On the fifth day he ordered his troop to get in to the pass. Finally the Greeks deployed themselves in a phalanx, a wall of overlapping shields and layered spear points, spanning the entire width of the pass.