The lyrical poet Simonides placed his famous epigram on Kolonos hill, where the last act of the battle took place in order for travellers passing through to never forget those moments of ultimate sacrifice. “O traveller, announce to the Lacedaemonians that we lie entombed here, obeying their commands”. Across from the afore-mentioned hill, stands a contemporary monument by the sculptor Falireas which depicts Leonidas fully armed, between the statues representing the river Eurotas and the mountain Taygetus, while in 1997 a monument was placed to honour the memory of the Thespians who fell in battle.