Quote Originally Posted by Ludens
Although you aren't explicitly saying it, I get the impression that you think the Thebans did not deserve to be remembered.
I don't think that at all - I'm simply saying that it was the Spartans who were remembered because they were the SEALs, and the other guys were just Light Infantry.

Quote Originally Posted by Ludens
No, they were the hoplites of Thebes and a few other nearby cities, and they were there of their own free wil. Leonides had in fact dismissed all other hoplites, except for his guard.
What I mean is that even at the time, the Spartans were acknowledged to be the main and most important force out of that group. Even the fact that Leonidas could dismiss the others shows they were subordinate to him and followed his orders - not to mention the extra Hero Points he got for staying on and trying to defend the pass.