1. The Real 300: The Battle of Thermopylae

2. Just Like This, Right?

3. FIGHTS IN LEATHER SPEEDO
2007 Film
DISCOVERS BRONZE
FIGHTS IN LEATHER SPEEDO

4. Outline
Spartans and Persians
Lead-up to the battle
The battle
Significance

5. The Spartans Fierce warriors known for legendary fighting ability
Saw death in battle as a great honor
Raised as warriors from a young age
Members of one of many city-states in Greece

6. Persians .

7. Persians Continued
Empire covered much of the current Middle East and was the largest at the time of the wars (400's BCE)
Contrary to the film 300's depiction, the Emperor Darius actually freed slaves where they ruled
Was said to have a 1,000,000 man army.
-Logistically impossible to have an army that big

8. Persian Empire ruling much of the developed world
Emperor Darius had actually freed slaves during his rule, but still conquered
Unsuccessful Ionian revolts from angered Darius
Ambassadors were sent to collect earth and water from Greeks
Executed in Athens and Sparta (actually thrown down a well)
Darius dies before action. Xerxes takes over

9. Transportation will be hard. Or will it?

10. Xerxes builds the first pontoon bridge ever
Macedonians are in shock and immediately surrender
Persians are now within striking distance of city states

11. Preparing for Battle
In 480 BCE a united Greek council meets to discuss the issues
The Athenians will lead up a sea battle
Spartans will lead a stand at the hot gates at Thermopylae, a bottle neck to slow the advance.

13. A Sad Prophecy
As before all major events, the Spartans consult the Oracle at Delphi
It is predicted that their loved ones will die, or the Spartans will mourn the loss of a king
Leonidas takes up the mission

14. Spartan Weaponry Large bronze shields Bronze chest plates
Helmets varied by rank
Spear “dory” was the main weapon and was nine feet long
Also used either a “kopis” or a “xiphos” short sword for stabbing

15. The Immortals Wicker shields were ineffective against Spartans
Scale armor under robes did not protect from Spartan weapons
Short daggers and spears were ineffective against hoplite tactics
Hood could be pulled over the face to add mysterious element
Bronze v Straw

16. Day 1 Easy work for the Spartans
Xerxes sends first wave only to get slaughtered. 2 or 3 Greek casualties
Later he sends the Immortals who fare no better

17. Day 2 Persians attack again thinking the Spartans are weak
Once again, the Persians are slaughtered
A Trachinian traitor named Ephialtes tells Xerxes he has an idea

18. Day 3 20,000 Persians march around the mountain pass
Leonidas hears of the move and chooses to stay and fight
The Spartans fight to their death and die valiantly

19. Significance Potentially 20,000 Persians killed by a small Greek force
Significance is greatly debated
Some argue that it was simply a Greek defeat
Others say it was an important delay for eventual victory
For certain, it was an act of courage at the very least.

20. Hanson, Victor Davis. The Western Way of War:
Hanson, Victor Davis. The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1989
Holland, Tom (2006). Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West. New York: Doubleday.
The Last Stand of the 300. The History Channel, DVD.