Go, Tell the Spartans, Passerby
That here, obedient to their laws, we lie.
History records a battle in August (or September) of 480BC. A force of 6,000 (or 7,000) Greeks formed around King Leonidas of Sparta and 300 of his men defended the pass of Thermopylae against an invading Persian Army (estimated between 200,000 and more than 2,000,000 strong). For three days the Greeks frustrated the Persian advance, until traitor revealed a path to the Persians leading to the rear of the Greek defenses.
Leonidas’ 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians held their positions and allowed the remainder of the Greek forces to withdraw. The rearguard was killed to a man, but inflicted losses of 20:1 upon their Persian foes.
The Myth, as retold in Frank Miller’s graphic novel and now retold on film, is by far the more colorful story.
“Lay down your arms” bids Xerxes envoy.
“Molon labe” (come and get them) replies Leonidas.
“Our arrows will blot out the sun” warns another envoy.
“So much the better, we will fight in the shade” replies a Spartan.
The Myth is that the free men (Spartans), betrayed by their priests (Ephors), betrayed by their politicians, went forth with a token force to buy time with their lives.
It makes for a powerful and gripping tale.
As befits a Myth, the resulting movie is larger than life. It is true to the spirit of the thing, while getting many of the details wrong. It is bloody, but in a stylized way as opposed to the more graphic horrors of war in ancient Greece.
It is inspiring.
The end of the film is not met with cheers or applause, but with a profound and inward looking quiet.
Leonidas and his 300 Spartans sacrificed themselves that others might give meaning to that sacrifice.
See it.
Then ask yourself: Shall the sacrifice be in vain?
History records a battle in August (or September) of 480BC. A force of 6,000 (or 7,000) Greeks formed around King Leonidas of Sparta and 300 of his men defended the pass of Thermopylae against an invading Persian Army (estimated between 200,000 and more than 2,000,000 strong). For three days the Greeks frustrated the Persian advance, until traitor revealed a path to the Persians leading to the rear of the Greek defenses.
Leonidas’ 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians held their positions and allowed the remainder of the Greek forces to withdraw. The rearguard was killed to a man, but inflicted losses of 20:1 upon their Persian foes.
The Myth, as retold in Frank Miller’s graphic novel and now retold on film, is by far the more colorful story.
“Lay down your arms” bids Xerxes envoy.
“Molon labe” (come and get them) replies Leonidas.
“Our arrows will blot out the sun” warns another envoy.
“So much the better, we will fight in the shade” replies a Spartan.
The Myth is that the free men (Spartans), betrayed by their priests (Ephors), betrayed by their politicians, went forth with a token force to buy time with their lives.
It makes for a powerful and gripping tale.
As befits a Myth, the resulting movie is larger than life. It is true to the spirit of the thing, while getting many of the details wrong. It is bloody, but in a stylized way as opposed to the more graphic horrors of war in ancient Greece.
It is inspiring.
The end of the film is not met with cheers or applause, but with a profound and inward looking quiet.
Leonidas and his 300 Spartans sacrificed themselves that others might give meaning to that sacrifice.
See it.
Then ask yourself: Shall the sacrifice be in vain?
Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
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