Molon labe

Geiger print of Leonidas sending a messenger to the Spartans

Molon labe (Ancient Greek: μολὼν λαβέ, romanizedmolṑn labé), meaning 'come and take [them]', is a classical expression of defiance. It is among the Laconic phrases reported by Plutarch,[1] attributed to King Leonidas I in reply to the demand by Xerxes I that the Spartans surrender their weapons. The exchange between Leonidas and Xerxes occurs in writing, on the eve of the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC).

  1. ^ Plutarch. Moralia 225D (in Greek) – via Perseus Project. saying 11 {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)