The term 'Winner at Thermopylae' refers to the Battle of Thermopylae, which took place in 480 BC. The battle was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes of PERSIA. The Greeks were ultimately defeated, but their heroic stand against the vastly superior Persian forces earned them a lasting place in history. Xerxes was the winner of the battle, and PERSIA was the victor.