A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. It was themistocles who proposed that the greeks attempt to stop the persian advance by confronting them on land at the narrow strait at. The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king. Almost everyone knows about the heroic act of leonidas i. There are also some doubts in the story told by herodotus. I can only think of, were the guy runs back to sparta and tells the people about the battle. One passage in particular illuminated the vast difference between. I loved both movies, onbe reason is because i love greek history even though they exagerated, thats what made the movies good.
It occurred in 480 bc between the invading persian army, led by the selfproclaimed godking xerxes, and the greek citystates, led by king leonidas. In a oneonone slugging match between equal numbers on flat. As is evident by its title, capstone press 300 heroes concentrates on the spartan warriors who in one of greeces defining moments fought to the death during the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. The historical inaccuracies in 300 today i found out. Less well even heavy roman troops were medium by hellenic greek standards. The main source that described the battle of thermopylae is the book vii of herodotus.
Identifying some of these historical inaccuracies, starting. The battle of thermopylae, fought between the greeks and the persians in 480 bce, has gone down in history as one of the most significant last stands of all time, despite the fact the hero, the greeks, walked away from this battle defeated and on the brink of complete destruction. Real historical facts and narrative fact based stories star smith essay history miscellaneous publish your bachelors or masters thesis, dissertation, term paper or essay. There are numerous small similarities between the graphic novel and the film, as well as small alterations that were added.
The battle of thermopylae was one of the most significant battles in all off ancient history. Leonidas and his 300 spartans all lay dead, as did the 700 thespians who had stood by them. The differences in leonidas portrayal set the two apart. The other looming difference is that most modern scholars debate herodotus the only primary source for the the battle of thermopylae estimate of the persian forces, putting the number between 100,000 300,000. It gives many important details that have been left out of other tellings. Similarities and differences between herodotus the. The battle of thermopylae is a battle in september 480 bc during the greekpersian war 480 479 bc. Leonidas then turns to his own spartan soldiers and asks them, what is your. 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, phocians and. Similarities and differences between herodotus the histories.
Written by our expert authors, these books can change the way you think. The battle of thermopylae fought between a massive persian. 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. The battle of thermopylae is one of historys most celebrated last stands and. King leonidas vs themistokles, from 300 and 300 rise of an empire.
Battle of thermopylae spartans vs persians youtube. Identifying some of these historical inaccuracies, starting from spartas then. Mar 17, 2014 despite the awesomeness that is the 300 film and the sequel the epic battles, the amazing directing, the incredible cinematography by zack snyder, and all the impressive special effects our mission in this site is very specific, and thus, this article focuses on the historical inaccuracies of this movie. The real 300 spartans history behind the frank miller 300 graphic novel and the film. Following the retreat of allied forces from the mountain passes at olympus and servia, british commonwealth forces began to set up defensive positions at the coastal pass at thermopylae, famous for the battle of.
The spartan and thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie the 300 spartans starring richard egan, along with many other. Find out what really happened at the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. Aug 30, 2008 the battle of thermopylae and heroec resistance of our king leonidas and his men, the 300 spartans and the 700 thespians under the leadership of demophilos a. Analysis of the battle of thermopylae 1528 words bartleby. Excluding the huge problems with the equipment for example spartans fighting with no armour or t. Essay about differences between 300 and herodotus 390 words. Langel took place over three days during the second persian invasion of greece. The british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. The movie chronicles the naval battle of artemisium fought between an alliance of greek citystates and persia, which was led by xerxes rodrigo santoro and artemesia eva green, the unyielding female commander of the persian navy. This website is dedicated to king leonidas, the 300 spartans, 700 thespians and other greek warriors who fought to the death during the battle of thermopylae hot gates in august, 480 b.
How would 300 roman soldiers have fared in place of the. Its story is based on the famous battle of thermopylae, quote the battle of thermopylae r. In the biblical book of ezra, xerxes i is mentioned by. Athens conquered, the athenians and spartans were driven back to their last line of defense at the isthmus of corinth and in the saronic gulf. The battle of thermopylae and heroec resistance of our king leonidas and his men, the 300 spartans and the 700 thespians under the leadership of demophilos a. It took place in a narrow gorge, called thermopylae, where a group of 300 spartan hoplites died heroically, blocking a way to the persian army of the tsar xerxes i. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta. The battle of thermopylaes political origins can be traced back to xerxes predecessor, darius i the great, who sent heralds to greek cities in 491 bce in the hopes of persuading them to accept persian authority.
He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae, but also of the whole war in which it took place. Sources battle of thermopylae 480 bc stories preschool. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, in august or september 480 bc, at the pass of thermopylae the hot gates. They will read from herodotuss account of the battle at thermopylae, the narrow pass where 300 spartans and their greek allies made their lastditch stand against tens of thousands of xerxess invading army. A military historian, bradford makes sense of the complicated maneuvers and does a very thorough background on all components of the battle, from the three rows of trireme rowers to an analysis of the less than treachery of. What are the major differences between frank millers 300.
The battle was fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium. It has also been the site of several battles in antiquity besides this most famous one. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae, paperback by pressfield, steven, isbn 055338368x, isbn 9780553383683, brand new, free shipping in the us an ambitious, cinematic historical novel chronicles the battle of three hundred spartan warriors against a huge force of persian soldiers in 480. 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. The battle of thermopylae, on 2425 april 1941, was part of the german invasion of greece during world war ii. Analysis of the battle of thermopylae 1872 words 8 pages. Profusely illustrated with maps and images, this book offers an accurate portrayal of the greek warriors commanded by king leonidas of sparta. Leonidas took with him the 300 men of the royal bodyguard, the hippeis. In ancient greece, women had no place in politics or debate unlike the film 300, in which queen gorgo argues her husbands case to send more spartan troops to thermopylae while he is fighting. 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. Students will identify who leonidas and the 300 at thermopylae are. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free.
Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. The battle for the west is one of those greatly accessible, pleasantly reading, and yet academically meaty history books. One of the many differences between the novel and the film was the queen. Students will summarize the battle of thermopylae in 480 bce. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. Or a female one, that enjoys watching scantily clad warriors in battle for 2 hours. Persians under the rule of king xerxes have already taken over some of greeces citystates, and now threaten sparta and athens. He is most well known for bravely leading a small force of greeks, including the famous 300 spartans, along with a few hundred thespians and thebans against the much larger persian army of xerxes, at the pass of thermopylae in 480 b. Despite the awesomeness that is the 300 film and the sequel the epic battles, the amazing directing, the incredible cinematography by zack snyder, and all the impressive special effects our mission in this site is very specific, and thus, this article focuses on the historical inaccuracies of this movie.
Dec 22, 2018 the persian heralds in athens were thrown into a pit, and their spartan brethren followed suit by tossing theirs into a well. Feb 16, 2020 how would 300 roman soldiers have fared in place of the spartan warriors at the battle of thermopylae. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. After three days of holding their own against the persian king xerxes i and his vast southwardadvancing army, the greeks were betrayed. To those who dont know much about the actual battle. In 279 bc the greeks faced brennus and his gauls there. He well uses both modern and ancient sources to tell the story not just of the battle of thermopylae. Aug 29, 20 300 tells the story of the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the. A messenger sent by xerxes attempts to present king leonidas of sparta with two options. Fascinating history about the battle between the spartans and persians that changed the world 480 bc fascinating world history book 2 historyepisode 3. It was 300 spartans the kings royal gaurd 700 thespians and acouple thousand greeks and there full number equaled about 5 thoudsand. King leonidas of sparta and the battle at thermopylae.
But he also writes about the greatness of the persian empire. What are the major differences between frank millers 300 and the. Historic battles battle of thermopylae 480 bc the battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king leonidas of sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i over the course of three days, during the second persian invasion of greece. In herodotus the histories account of the battle of thermopylae their is no mention of the actions of queen gorgo, wife of king leonidas or the the events at sparta during the battle of thermopylae. For centuries, students, scholars, historians and military strategists have studied it, and they continue to do so. What are the major differences between frank millers 300 and. Mar 29, 2008 i know 300 is said to be really close to the truth and unholleywood but what are some key diffrences. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under the athenian themistocles, met them by sea, most importantly at artemisium.
In this lesson students learn about the historical background to the battle and are asked to ponder some of its legacy, including how history is reported and interpreted from different perspectives. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece. The greeks were defeated at thermopylae battle of thermopylae, although at a great cost to the persians, and a moral victory to the greeks. Although the spartans were defeated and annihilated at thermopylae. According to historians, leonidas is deliberated as one of the renowned potentates of sparta, who led.
At thermopylae in the late summer of 480 the spartan king leonidas held out for three days with a mere 300 hoplites against thousands upon thousands of the best of the great kings troops. After three days resisting the much larger persian army of xerxes i, greek forces were betrayed by ephialtes and sent into retreat by their leader, leonidas, who died during a final stand. Nov 30, 2017 the british title for this book, the year of thermopylae london, 1980, is much more descriptive since the book covers events leading up to and including thermopylae. Although its fiction, a reader said he thought it should appear here. This was a great telling of the battle of thermopylae.
The persian dead were said to number around 20,000, although xerxes tried to conceal this horrendous loss by having most of them secretly buried, leaving only about 1,000 persian bodies for his army to see as it. A similarity between the film 300 and herodotus the histories is the character of ephialtes. The battle of thermopylae is arguably the most famous battle before ce, certainly ranking up there with zama during the punic wars 2nd century bce and tours in 732 ce. Watch the movie trailer for the 2014 sequel to zack snyders 2007 film 300. I loved both movies, onbe reason is because i love greek history even though they exagerated, thats what made the. Leonidas and the battle of thermopylae a mythical treatment in his graphic novel 300. The battle of thermopylae is a complicated series of encounters between the. However, the film has more fantasy than history in it. I know 300 is said to be really close to the truth and unholleywood but what are some key diffrences. Similarities and differences between the film 300 essay.
How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from. Battle of thermopylae, 480 bce, battle in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae during the persian wars. Enraged, darius launched his invasion of mainland greece and met with. Ephialtes, the son of eurydemus, a man of malis, came to him and was admitted to a conference. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. 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, phocians and the opuntian locrians held off. According to ernle bradford in his bookthe battle for the west thermopylae, there was a herald that was sent to persia. Rise of an empire, the battle of artemisium a 480 bc naval engagement, took place concurrently with the battle of thermopylae that unfolds in the original movie, 300. The greek forces, mostly spartan, were led by leonidas.
How would 300 roman soldiers have fared in place of the spartan warriors at the battle of thermopylae. The persian heralds in athens were thrown into a pit, and their spartan brethren followed suit by tossing theirs into a well. It occurred in 480 bc between the invading persian army, led by the selfproclaimed godking xerxes. Students will list six 6 important events in the grecopersian wars through the use of sequential art. The battle of thermopylae is one of the most famous battles in history. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at.