After the Persians arrived at the pass, several days went by without battle beginning.  King Xerxes sent a scout to find out what the Greek position was.  The scout returned to the king, who was amazed by what he heard.  In front of a wall that blocked the pass, 300 Spartans were combing their hair and exercising.  Xerxes was surprised should behave so calmly before the battle. However, the king was warned not to misread this information.  The Spartans were preparing to fight to the death and were soldiers of great bravery.