Historical accuracy of the movie 300
@keithstieneke (822)
Lincoln, Nebraska
March 25, 2007 8:55am CST
Of course there was myth added to this movie with the monsters and creatures, but how much of this movie was based on historical fact? A good friend claims, and I do remember this from history that the Spartans defeated the Persians.
Did 300 Spartans really go it alone at the beginning or is this just storytelling? Does anyone out there know or care to conjecture?
5 responses
@VotreAmie (3037)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Hi keith. I watch history channel but I have never seen or heard about this movie 300. I asked my husband he doesn't know either and he watches a lot of TV. So this movie is not so popular? Thanks. Now that the title is in my head, if I ever see it when channel changing I will try to watch it.
@keithstieneke (822)
• Lincoln, Nebraska
2 Jun 07
Actually the movie was very popular and may be showing at some second run theatres. I doubt it has even made its way to DVD or VHS as of yet. It definitely is not on TV and if it was would probably only be on HBO or Showtime as to much would have to be edited for other networks.
It only showed a couple of months ago. About everyone that I know has seen it.
@Metallideth (572)
• United States
26 Mar 07
I saw a history channel documentary about it, and not only did the 300 Spartans lose, Xerxes eventually took over Athens as well. One thing I thought was pretty cool was that the quote about the arrows and fighting in the shade was actually real. The Spartans pretty much did go it alone, but there was a naval battle taking place, and I'm not sure what the outcome of it was, but I think the outcome of that battle kept the Persians from sailing around and flanking the Spartans or something like that. I need to look this stuff up.
@keithstieneke (822)
• Lincoln, Nebraska
2 Jun 07
Sorry that I did not reply to this sooner. I appreciate your input about the history behind this movie.
@besthope44 (12141)
• India
29 Aug 10
Well its a excellent movie and i loved the graphics and story. Its beautifully done and extraordinary movie.
@historybuff (1)
• Indonesia
7 Apr 09
The portrayal of the Spartans and Achaemenids society is blatantly inaccurate. The Achaemenids army is portrayed as slave army, while the Spartans is portrayed as invincible and humane.
You should read the history.
At the era, Spartans is slave dependent society (in average 1 spartan has 7 slaves).
The slaves (Helots) were treated worse than animal. Every year some thousand of them is sacrificed as an exercise for young Spartan to get their first killing experiences.
While the Achaemenids at the time was very advanced society so much so that the slavery was banned by law.
And the Execes did not project himslef as God, since he is a Zoroastrian, which believe in one God.
It is a shame how Hollywood skew history again and again, simply to satisfy US political interest.
@painkiller77 (2074)
• India
4 Sep 08
to me 300 is an absolutely terrific movie. the attitude, the valour the spartans display send a chill down my spine. so much to keep their honour. they challenged and even demured a person who projected himself as god. i think they were bogged down by the wrong priests who just had no respect for these warriors. my personal favorite line in the movie when the king says : SPARTANS NEVER RETREAT!!!!!!!!!!. the greatest sequence when the king as a young lad fights the beast and also , when he kicks the intruder into the well..NOT MUCH SURE ABOUT THE HISTORICAL ACCURACY..
