Thanks.
To all: the actual liberty-lovin’ volunteer force which made the difference fought at Salamis. They broke the Persian navy and made possible the land victory the following year. During the first invasion by the Persians, the Spartans did nothing, refusing to send a single soldier, and so Athens and others had to defend all of Greece, and won, at Marathon.
The real Spartans were nothing like the movie.
Once they did go they marched to Marathon in a record breaking march. They arrived after the battle and congratulated the Athenians on their victory.