In August 480 BC, the Battle of Thermopylae, a small mountain pass in central Greece, was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states and the invading Persian Empire of Xerxes I. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held up the Persians advance for seven days in total (including three of battle), before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of historyÂ's most famous and noble last stands. Here, in a piece for young band, are the musical images of battles being waged and armies on the march.