Mar 12, 2019 although the above scene from the 2006 movie 300 is fiction and likely exaggerated, the 300 spartans who fought the battle of thermopylae have gone down in history as one of the most fearsome and elite fighting forces to have ever existed. The first point should come as little surprise for a movie about the grecopersian wars, specifically the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. Soon after the battle, the greeks built a stone lion in honour of those who had died and specifically for the fallen king leonidas. Leonidas, the king of sparta, motivates his warriors to defend the hot gates, thus blocking the invading persian forces of xerxes into the narrow. The battle was waged by the legendary king leonidas i of sparta leading an allied greek force of 7,000 men, later minimized to his 300 spartans and 700 allied thespians to defend the narrow pass of thermopylae known as the hot gates against king xerxes commanding a massive persian army ranging between about 100,000 and 150,000 soldiers. Here is a look at the reallife history of the persian war battle of thermopylae, portrayed in the movie 300, in which the spartans fought to their. The battle which followed was forever immortalized in the movie 300. After the movie 300 came out in 2006, the story of the battle of thermopylae in 480 bce became globally recognized. Real life history behind the persian battle in the movie 300. Were there really only 300 spartans at the battle of thermopylae. Reallife history behind the persian battle in the movie 300. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. He betrays the spartans to the persians out of greed for riches, and, it is implied, unrequited love for a spartan girl named ellas.
The movie, 300, released in 2006 is based on the graphic novel written by frank miller, 300. The movie 300 is based on an actual battle, the battle of. Zac snyders movie, 300, came under fire for its fanciful retelling of the battle of thermopylae. Those of you who havent seen the movie should be informed that it is the imaginative recreation of the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. C when 300 spartans laid out their lives against the full. The movie 300 is based on an actual battle, the battle. Thermopylae is primarily known for the battle that took place there in 480 bc, in which an outnumbered greek force probably of seven thousand including the famous 300 spartans, 500 warriors from tegea, 500 from mantinea, 120 from arcadian orchomenos, from the rest of arcadia, 200 from phlius, 80 from mycenae, 400 corinthians, 400 thebans. Now, the history channel offers a definitive perspective on the epic conflict with this instructive and thrilling featurelength presentation. Persian battle at thermopylae in 300 movie info 2020. Aug 07, 2019 the 2006 film 300 told the fantastical story of the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc, when a handful of spartans fought the entirety of persias armies for three days. According to history, king xerxes yep, the same guy who. There may be some people who have never heard about it before, but it was the kind of battle that people made movies out of.
There is a little too much repetition of similar computer animations, though the graphics do help explain stages of the battle and campaign. This was the battle of thermopylae, a moment which came to define the struggles of the greek citystates in their wars against the vast persian empire. Lena headey in 300 2006 gerard butler and lena headey at an event for. However, the film has more fantasy than history in it. In 1955 a statue of leonidas was erected by king paul of greece in commemoration of his and his troops bravery.
Weve seen it recreated in a graphic novel by frank miller, which turned into the extremely popular movie 300 by zack snyder. The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king. Find out what really happened at the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. As a result, almost everyone knows about the 300 spartans who died trying to hold back the persian empires 300,000strong army on its way to conquer greece. Did any of the 300 spartans survive the battle of thermopylae. It is true there were only 300 spartan soldiers at the battle of thermopylae but they were not alone, as the spartans had formed an alliance with other greek states.
How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from its. The main source for the battle of 480 is herodotus, histories, 7. How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from. Based on the comic of the screenwriter and filmmaker frank miller who bore the same title, 300, he recounts the events that took place at the battle of thermopylae that confronted the persians, whose head included xerxes, and a group of greek cops, among they sparta commanded by leonidas.
These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages. The 2006 film 300 told the fantastical story of the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc, when a handful of spartans fought the entirety of persias. Battle of thermopylae scene from the movie 300 youtube. Persian battle at thermopylae in 300 movie thoughtco. When king leonidas and his 300 spartan warriors fell to the overwhelming persian army at the battle of thermopylae, the fearless actions of the noble fighters inspired all of greece to stand up. The movie focuses on the use of the classical past to portray everything from the upbringing of a spartan to the bravery of king leonidas and the 300 spartans on the battle fields of. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free.
Battle of thermopylae, 480 bce, battle in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae during the persian wars. The real 300 spartans history behind the frank miller 300 graphic novel and the film. The 300 movie it was a great success when it premiered in 2006 under the direction of zack snyder. When i was younger i remember hearing vague stories of the gideon 300, actually in a christian song, then when i was older id read stories of the spartans and their battle using 300 warriors. The battle of thermopylae also served as the inspiration for the film 300 2006. In short, the war started when xerxes i of persia modern day iran invaded greece with a force that modern scholars number anywhere from 150,000 to 300,000 men.
Both are fictionalized retellings of the battle of thermopylae within the persian wars. The greek forces, mostly spartan, were led by leonidas. What is most disturbing about this movie is not that it lacks historical accuracy. The story of leonidas and the legendary battle of the 300 at thermopylae. What parts of the narrative seem to reinforce the fact that herodotus was a greek and not a persian. Nov 16, 2019 zack snyders 2007 fantasy historical film, 300, has probably made the battle of thermopylae one of the most famous battles of the ancient world. Other than the points already made in the other answers, the battle in the film also did a very poor job in capturing how both sides actually fought.
The movie 300 and the real battle of thermopylae the battle of thermopylae. The battle of thermopylae is literally a textbook case, required reading even to this day at military colleges and officer training around the world. Were there really only 300 spartans at the battle of. Oct 22, 2019 one of the alltime great stories of ancient history involved the defense of thermopylae, when a narrow pass was held for three days against a vast persian army by just 300 spartans, 299 of whom perished. The battle of thermopylae has been the single most powerful wedge, which has divided east and west for over 2 millennia. The movie leaves out the decisive amphibious battle that took place in the straits adjacent to thermopylae, where allied greek fleets led by athens held off the. Both are fictionalized retellings of the battle of thermopylae within the. It is thought that the number of greeks was closer to 7,000. In a sacrificial effort, king leonidas i let most of his army retreat while he stayed at the thermopylae pass in order to buy his retreating army time to get away. Still a tiny figure compared to the forces against themthere is evidence that the vast persian army has been vastly exaggeratedbut more than the legend, which forgets some contributors.
In the battle of thermopylae of 480 bc an alliance of greek citystates fought the invading persian army in the mountain pass of thermopylae. Directed by zack snyder, whose first feature film was the 2004 makeover of the horror classic dawn of the dead, 300 digitally recreates the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. Persia had invaded greece in 492 bc, but was kicked out two years later at. Mar 09, 2007 the first point should come as little surprise for a movie about the grecopersian wars, specifically the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc. Bible story of the gideon 300 or the battle of thermopylae. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta. Leonidas, the king of sparta, motivates his warriors to defend the hot gates, thus blocking the. Yes, it was a true story, although the movie wasnt historically correct on some points, it was a more of a glorification of the actual event. Nov 11, 2012 first battle scene from the movie 300 2006. In a time when east and west should be reconciling their differences, along comes the movie 300 to drive that wedge even deeper. What parts of the narrative seem to reinforce the fact that herodotus was a.
If you have seen the movie 300 or read the graphic novel, compare the two versions of the story. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece. Nevertheless, he did stick to the gist of what actually happened pretty much. Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotuss depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. Battle of thermopylae scene from the movie 300 find more information about persian invasion of 480 bc on. In the 1962 film the 300 spartans, ephialtes was portrayed by kieron moore and is depicted as a loner who worked on a goat farm near thermopylae. Vastly outnumbered, the greeks held back the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. In spite of the heavy fantasy influence, the story is based on real eventsthe battle of thermopylae in 480 bc during the second grecopersian war, as described by the ancient greek historian herodotus. This is likely an exaggeration, but we should not be too quick to downplay the superior fighting skills of. Most people who have watched zack snyders famous 2007 fantasy historical film 300, might think they know the ancient greek story of leonidas and the battle of thermopylae, but the historic facts are quite different to what was portrayed in the fantasy film. The last stand of the 300 spartans top documentary films.
The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. Perhaps the biggest problem with the movie 300 is that the film leaves the audience believing that the spartans were the only greek force to lead an attack against the persians. In the battle of thermopylae of 480 bc an alliance of greek citystates fought the. There were several instances where the director should have stuck to the real historical accounts. A spoof of 300 2006 and many other movies, tv seriesshowscommercials, video games and celebrities. The story of leonidas and the legendary battle of the 300. Back then, persia was the superpower, while greece was a collection of citystates.
King leonidas of sparta and his army of 12 go to war. After three days of holding their own against the persian king xerxes i and his vast southwardadvancing army, the greeks were betrayed. The movie 300 was made in 2006 and is a retelling of this famous battle during the persian wars in 479 bc. Analysis of the movie 300 the battle of thermopylae. The film was directed by zack snyder, while miller served as executive producer and consultant. The movie 300 is based on an actual battle, the battle of thermopylae the battle of thermopylae, in 480 bc which took place during the second persian invasion of greece. The greeks spartans and allies knew they were outnumbered and hadnt a prayer, so it was. Its story is based on the famous battle of thermopylae, quote. But in truth, there were more than 300 men, and they werent all spartans. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at. Most popular battle of thermopylae movies and tv shows imdb.
Excluding the huge problems with the equipment for example spartans fighting with no armour or t. The movie focuses on the use of the classical past to portray everything from the upbringing of a spartan to the bravery of king leonidas and the 300 spartans on the battle fields of thermopylae against the mighty persians. The greeks spartans and allies knew they were outnumbered and hadnt a prayer, so it was no surprise that the persians won the battle of thermopylae. Its story is based on the famous battle of thermopylae, quote the battle of thermopylae r. Is the bible story of the gideon 300 copied from the battle of thermopylae or the other way around. Persian battle at thermopylae in 300 movie thermopylae lit. What have you learned from reading herodotus that might alter your understanding of the battle of thermopylae. The original against all odds battle 300 spartans at the. Although there were 300 spartans present at the defense of thermopylae, there were at least 4,000 allies involved on the first two days and 1,500 men involved in the fatal last stand. Last stand of the 300 provides a good condensed view of the battle at thermopylae, events prior and some consequences in the aftermath. Its a battle which has inspired western thought ever since it happened. The war dragged on for another year and a half after this battle, which the greeks eventually won. At the mtv movie awards 2007, 300 was nominated for best movie, best performance for gerard butler, best breakthrough.
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