I was just trying to get franks book made into a movie. Whats the best book youve read on the battle of thermopylae. It is the story of thermopylae, where king leonidas and the spartan 300 stood against. Mark 322010 analyzes the battle of thermopylae the battle that the film 300 is based on. The first point should come as little surprise for a movie about the grecopersian wars, specifically the battle of thermopylae in 480 bc. This was a great telling of the battle of thermopylae. 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. The comic is a fictional retelling of the battle of thermopylae and the events leading up to it from the perspective of leonidas of sparta. The battle is revisited in countless adages and works of popular culture, such as in films e. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven. Leonidas and 300 spartans cut their names into ancient.
Get a concise look at the history of the battle of thermopylae in just 60 minutes. It is based upon the number of spartan solders allowed to the spartan king as a personal bodyguard, exisiting well prior to leonidas and often holding a position in the middle of the spartan phalanx. The film was directed by zack snyder, while miller served as executive producer and consultant. They focus on king leonidas, the young foot soldier stelios, and the storyteller dilios to highlight the spartans aweinspiring toughness and valor. The engrossing history channel documentary last stand of the 300. This essay is based in part on a synopsis of ernle bradfords work, thermopylae.
This book would just be an amazingly entertaining read except for the fact it is based in truth. Analysis of the movie 300 the battle of thermopylae. Herodotusthucydides, written by robert maynard hutchins and. Battle of thermopylae date, location, and facts britannica. Even with understanding 300 was based on the comic, i cannot watch the movie. Set in 480 bc, frank millers 300 retells the battle of thermopylae. Thermopylae books about the battle of thermopylae thoughtco. Nov 11, 2012 first battle scene from the movie 300 2006.
The legendary battle at thermopylae offers an unofficial counterpoint to the hollywood blockbuster 300, starring gerard butler and lena headey. The battle of thermopylae was fought in central greece at the mountain pass of thermopylae in 480 bce during the persian wars. The battle of thermopylae, sparta and her ancient greek allies against xerxes and the persian empire. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae mass market paperback september 1, 1999. While it has been highly improbable in establishing the exact chronology of the battle of thermopylae since it occurred approximately 2,500 years ago, several authors have promulgated certain theories as to the date of the battle in 480 b.
Thermopylae in the classroom environment the 300 spartans. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at. Battle of thermopylae simple english wikipedia, the free. The persians didnt bring any charging elephants or rhinos to the battle of thermopylae.
If the story of thermopylae doesnt inspire you, theres a chance youre already dead. Excluding the huge problems with the equipment for example spartans fighting with no armour or t. 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 mediums consisting of. 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. Based on frank millers graphic novel, 300 is very loosely based the 480 b. 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 battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king. 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. A coalition based not on politics or political cooperation but of an alliance for mutual.
I know this book is fiction, but it is on the usmc commandants reading list, is taught to the corps of cadets at west point, annapo. 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. The name of it is gates of fire written by steven pressfield. 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. Both are fictionalized retellings of the battle of thermopylae within the persian wars. 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. The movie, 300, released in 2006 is based on the graphic novel written by frank miller, 300. It gives many important details that have been left out of other tellings. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. In 1955 a statue of leonidas was erected by king paul of greece in commemoration of his and his troops bravery. The battle of thermopylae also served as the inspiration for the film 300 2006. 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 fought for over three days, at the same time as the naval battle of artemisium.
It is based on material from the wikipedia article battle of. This was a liberty taken by 300 author frank miller and the filmmakers, in order to add to the movies elements of fantasy. If you saw or read frank millers 300 then you need to read this book. For the nonhistorians, check out pressfields gates of fire. The battle of thermopylae between greeks led by leonidas and persians led by xerxes. Gates of fire by steven pressfield this is a novel set around the events of the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, the same battle that inspired the wellknown 300 graphic novel and film. 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. Battle of thermopylae, where the king of sparta led his army against the advancing persians.
Although its fiction, a reader said he thought it should appear here. The greek loyalists battle for six days in a prelude to their ultimate victory. 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. The battle of thermopylae 300 spartans, what actually. The battle of thermopylae, 480 bc, was a battle in the second persian invasion of greece. Nic fields has reduced the thermopylae battle to the shortest, most wellwritten and concise version that exists today. Descriptive texts and many photos of the battlefield and the modern monuments. 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 and the heroic stand of the 300 spartans is one of the most wellknown battles of ancient times, mainly due to the 2006 film 300 and its 2014 sequel 300. It was filmed mostly with a superimposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the. The epic graphic novel by frank miller sin city assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of liveaction and cgi animation. But the greeksled by king leonidas and a small army of spartanstook the battle to the persians at thermopylae, and halted their advancealmost.
A coalition based not on politics or political cooperation but of an alliance for. Based on frank miller s graphic novel, 300 is very loosely based the 480 b. The battle of thermopylae parallels the main characters situation, in which they are outnumbered and realize that victory is unattainable but choose to fight for a purpose beyond the battle itself. According to history, king xerxes yep, the same guy who. Analysis of the movie 300 the battle of thermopylae 1560 words 7 pages. This limited graphic series is considered as one of the most acclaimed works of frank miller.
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. In addition, the battle has been taught in military academies as an example of how a small welltrained group of resolute warriors can defend their position against a numerically superior force. This book is about the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, where 300 spartans. 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.
It is my understanding that the 300 spartan hoplites mentioned in the article were not unique to leonidas or the battle of thermopylae. Were there really only 300 spartans at the battle of thermopylae. 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. A coalition based not on politics or political cooperation but of an. Students may be familiar with this famous battle from its depiction in zack snyders movie 300, based on frank millers graphic novel. The battle of thermopylae has been an integral part of the curriculum of many high schools, colleges and universities around the world. 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. However, the film has more fantasy than history in it. The work was adapted in 2006 to a film of the same name. In zack snyders 300, the battle of thermopylae, the life of the spartans and the glory of war comes to life on the big screen for all audiences worldwide.
This documentary, like the feature, explores the legendary events that transpired in the year 480 b. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under the athenian. His accounts were instrumental in this book and for the history of the spartan 300. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
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. The battle for the west is one of those greatly accessible, pleasantly reading, and yet academically meaty history books. Based on their hypotheses, the following authors have concluded that the battle commenced on the following day. In 480 bc, a huge persian army, led by the inimitable king xerxes, entered the mountain pass of thermopylae as it marched on greece, intending to conquer the land with little difficulty. After the 2007 movie, which introduced thermopylae to the us and uk public, i say introduced, as most people i spoke to, who saw the movie, were so uninformed that they were unaware it was based on a real event. It is true there were only 300 spartan soldiers at thermopylae but they were not alone. Dominic west based on the graphic novel 300 by frank miller and lynn varley. Soon after the battle, the greeks built a stone lion in honour of those who had died and specifically for the fallen king leonidas. In 480 the ephors sent leonidas with the 300 men of an allsire unit soldiers. 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. Battle of thermopylae ancient history encyclopedia. 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. 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. How did the historical battle of thermopylae differ from.
In the annals of heroism, the battle of thermopylae is an archetype, a classic. Find out what really happened at the battle of thermopylae in 480 b. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta. Battle of thermopylae in popular culture wikipedia. It was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by sparta, and the persian empire of xerxes i. Oct 22, 2019 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. Writerartist frank miller and colorist lynn varley retell the battle of thermopylae in the exciting and moving graphic novel 300. Based on all of these reason i would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys. Oct 20, 1998 gates of fire by steven pressfield this is a novel set around the events of the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, the same battle that inspired the wellknown 300 graphic novel and film. The battle that changed the world cartledge, paul on. 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.
In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an important source. The persians did use horses in battle, as their army was twenty percent cavalry. Retelling the ancient battle of thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which king leonidas gerard butler and 300 spartans fought to the death against xerxes rodrigo santoro and. Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. A tale that still captures the imagination of people thousands of years after the events took place.
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