300 movie vs herodotus book

There was also the battle of thermopylae which is the basis of the extremely historically accurate 2006 movie 300. I wanted these guys to move and i wanted em to look good. Real historical facts and narrative fact based stories course honors history grade a author star smith author year 2011 pages catalog number v195455 isbn ebook 97836562158 isbn book 9783668147676 file size 388 kb language english tags. Herodotus histories full audiobook book 1 of 3 youtube. Identifying some of these historical inaccuracies, starting from spartas then. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors pylae. In fact, in herodotus it is stated that xerxes likely never sent any messengers to leonidas, as the spartan king was known for pulling that kind of thing in the past. 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. Mar 12, 2014 historian and translator of herodotus s histories tom holland, whose own book persian fire is a gripping account of the grecopersian wars, admired the first 300 film for its authentically spartan. This paper attempts to discuss the differences between the film 300 and herodotuss account of the last stand at thermopylae in terms of military tactics, naval engagements, and religion. Amongst all these immense numbers there was not a man who, for stature and noble bearing, was more worthy than xerxes to wield so vast a power.

The real 300 spartans history behind the frank miller 300 graphic novel and the film. Alex jovys epic movie about cyrus the great could have done wonders for the iranian image. Oct 31, 2012 similarities and differences between herodotus the histories and 300 unlike in zack snyders strangely bonified 300 a film in which a drastically underestimated 300 greek soldiers including leonidas defeat several hundreds of thousands of persian slaves and solders. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated. Despite the awesomeness that is the 300 film and the sequel the epic. Herodotus histories and its reliability the johns hopkins. Sep 21, 20 herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. The rise of the persian empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict. Our best source for the persian wars is herodotus the histories. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at. But like everything else in the movie the structure was greatly exaggerated for dramatic effect. Download file to see previous pages however, the movie committed major deviations from herodotuss historical accounts of the persian wars. This lesson assumes some background of and exposure to the greeks and persians and the persian wars. 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 film is based on the 1998 limited comic book series 300, which was written. According to the historian herodotus, mardonius convinced his cousin xerxes to invade greece. Rise of an empire and its ahistorical depiction of. In fact, herodotus account of the battle, in book vii of his histories, is such an. Perhaps the movie 300 was a necessary wakeup call for the iranianpersian community to support responsible filmmakers, who report history with honesty and integrity. Crowds flock to see the film 300 about the ancient spartans last stand at the pass at thermopylae against an invading persian army. Body armor was a valuable asset to the real spartan soldiers. These have appeared in a range of media from plain text to historical fantasy. Herodotus the histories book one book two book three book four book five book six book seven book eight book nine. According to herodotus our sole source, 300 spartan warriors alongside 700 thespian volunteers defended the pass of. Were seeing a visual representation of the survivors propaganda piece. Hilariously enough, the whole thing where leonidas tau. Jul, 2015 herodotus on the battle at thermopylae and the spartan 300. I bought the kindle edition of the book and using the kindle app on a full size tablet, such as the ipad, brings the graphics to life in full colour, where each panel can be expanded to see the gory detail.

At sunrise xerxes made libations, after which he waited until the time when the forum is wont to fill, and then began his advance. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta. This place is called thermopylae by most of the hellenes, but by the natives and. Yes, it was a true story, although the movie wasnt historically correct on some points, it was a more of a glorification of the actual event. Real historical facts and narrative fact based stories star smith essay history miscellaneous publish your bachelors or masters thesis, dissertation, term paper or essay. According to herodotus our sole source, 300 spartan warriors alongside 700 thespian volunteers defended the pass of thermopylae against the invaders, inflicting. The movie 300 has the spartan soldiers fighting nearly naked without any form of body armor protecting them. The movie 300 has the spartan soldiers fighting nearly naked without any form of. Historian calls 300 a racist and insulting film history. The tactics employed in the movie are entirely inaccurate, and the spartans wore a lot more armor, as well as far more frequently wore helmets, all of which were plumed.

Also remember that 300 does not claim to follow exactly ancient. If students have seen the movie 300, or read the graphic novel by frank miller, encourage them to compare that modern version of the story to the historical record, especially as it has come down to us from the greek historian herodotus, the father of history. There were several instances where the director should have stuck to the real historical accounts. Fact or fiction, true, 2,500 years ago, almost every society in the ancient mediterranean world had slaves. After youve finished reading our analysis of the 300. The movie focuses on the use of the classical past to portray everything from the upbringing of a spartan to the bravery of king leonidas and the 300 spartans on the battle fields of thermopylae against the mighty persians. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. In the movie, leonidas is depicted in a scene as murdering a messenger by kicking him into a pit, a. It was filmed mostly with a superimposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the. In herodotus the histories xerxes, god king of the persians makes daily libations from book seven of herodotus. The greeks who at thermopylae awaited the coming of xerxes were the following. In herodotus, ephialtes was a nondeformed nonspartan, who showed the persians a mountain trail around thermopylae, leading them to victory.

Below are a series of primary documents texts and pictures that relate to the subject material of the movie 300. What are the major differences between frank millers 300. After a short digression on thracian customs, herodotus tells us about megabazus conquest of thrace and the ensuing submission of eastern macedonia. The movie, 300, released in 2006 is based on the graphic novel written by frank miller, 300. Yet many critics panning the film have alleged it is. 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. Herodotus fanciful numbers are used to populate the persian army, and. The film is directed by zack snyder with frank miller attached as an executive producer and consultant, and was shot mostly with bluescreen to duplicate the imagery of the original. The force consisted mainly of persians, but also included medes and elamites.

But in fact there is an earlier version of the story, the 300 spartans 1962. The battle of thermopylae 480 bc was a three day battle between greek forces led by leonidas and his spartans and the persian empire at thermopylae the hot gates. The 2006 fantasy action film 300, directed by zack snyder and written by snyder. And all relegated women to a relatively inferior position. 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. Arabic speaking north africans instead of iranians in the role of the persians, whereas the 300 book and movie portrays iranians as africans. Rise of an empire doesnt know its artemisia from its. Its strong opening is a clear indicator of its success with the north american and by implication, european audiences. This paper attempts to discuss the differences between the film 300 and herodotus s account of the last stand at thermopylae in terms of military tactics, naval engagements, and religion. Mar 22, 2007 i wrote an introduction to a book about the making of 300 after being shown a rough cut of the movie in october. Herodotus s depiction of the battle of thermopylae 1278 words 6 pages. King xerxes lay encamped in trachis in malis and the hellenes in the pass. A comparative analysis of the movie 300 and herodotuss the.

Ramsey parra llrn 151 01 300 scholars, artists, authors, and filmmakers in recent years have been interested in herodotuss depiction of the battle of thermopylae, creating several different versions and interpretations of the story across multiple forms of media. Similarities and differences between herodotus the. 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. But alex jovys movie today sits idle due lack of money. However, the film has more fantasy than history in it. The 2007 film is based on a graphic novel by frank miller.

Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. Herodotus excerpts from book vii of the histories translated and edited by a. More than likely the persian messenger was dunked down somewhere like this. The battle of thermopylae 480 bc was a three day battle between greek forces led by leonidas and his spartans and. I wrote an introduction to a book about the making of 300 after being shown a rough cut of the movie in october. Real historical facts and narrative fact based stories course honors history grade a author star smith author year 2011 pages catalog number v195455 isbn ebook 97836562158 isbn book 9783668147676 file. The historical inaccuracies in 300 today i found out. Grossing over 70 million dollars in its first week of release, the movie 300 is set to crash into the list of highest grossing hollywood blockbusters. What are the major differences between frank millers 300 and. Mar 23, 2007 crowds flock to see the film 300 about the ancient spartans last stand at the pass at thermopylae against an invading persian army. The film was directed by zack snyder, while miller served as executive producer and consultant.

Zack snyders powerful movie, 300, faithfully follows this graphic treatment of the story. According to herodotus our sole source, 300 spartan warriors alongside 700 thespian volunteers defended the pass of thermopylae against the invaders, inflicting heavy losses on xerxes forces. 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. The events depicted in the film are based on the historical narratives of ancient greeks like herodotus, simonides, aeschylus, diodorus, and plutarch. The film is based on a comic book of the same name and is a live action, shotbyshot visualization of said comic. I have divided them into themes politics, concepts of freedom, sex, and soldiering that play a big role in the movie. Similarities and differences between herodotus the histories. Latinautor umpg, latinautor, bmi broadcast music inc. Watch 300 movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. The battle of thermopylae was fought between an alliance of greek citystates, led by king leonidas i of sparta, and the achaemenid empire of xerxes i over the course of three days, during the second persian invasion of greece. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at artemisium, in august or. Both are fictionalized retellings of the battle of thermopylae within the persian wars. Herodotus was able to write this account of the grecopersian wars by traveling throughout greece and asia minor. 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.