by Svalbard

Created on: February 08, 2007   Last Updated: February 22, 2008

The forthcoming movie '300' is based on the historical battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartan warriors and their allies, 5,000 other Greeks fought the invading Persian army. The Persian army numbered if Herodotus is to be believed over one million men. The movie looks like a highly fictionalized view of the battle. But if the trailers are an indication of the scale of the film then it will be one hell of a movie.

The battle itself proved very important in that it delayed the Persian army long enough for the other Greek city-states to gather their strength. I believe that the defense of the pass of Thermopylae by the Spartans also played a part in the defeat of the Persians at Platea a year later. At Thermopylae the Persians faced but 300 Spartans. 10,000 Spartans fought at Platea and this must have sapped the morale of the Persian army as they remembered the prowess of the 300 who by all accounts slaughtered thousands of Persians at Thermopylae.

There is another movie in the pipeline about this battle and a more historical one at that. It is based on Steven Pressfield's epic novel The Gates of Fire which was a stunning a account of the battle. We look forward to it with baited breath.

Learn more about this author, Svalbard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.