In this interactive map, you can explore the legacy of 10 key battles dating back to 480 BC through World War II. These are just a few of the great battles that have cast long shadows throughout history. Thermopylae, Waterloo, Gallipoli-their names exist as recognizable shorthand for all. Many of these battles have also experienced a significant cultural afterlife that has extended and expanded the meaning of the conflict across time and space. These battles are commemorated in paintings, verse, and music, marked by monumental memorials, and used as the way points for the periodisation of history. The victors have been celebrated as heroes for centuries, the vanquished serve as a cautionary tale for all, and nations use these triumphs to establish their founding myths. Certain battles acquire iconic status in history.
