Accuracy of the Film 300

Essay by ddd123University, Bachelor'sA-, December 2007

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The Real Sparta and The Movie 300The idea of a Spartan warrior has been glorified many times throughout the ages. When one thinks of a Spartan, the image of a strong and fear inspiring warrior immediately come to mind. It is no wonder that Hollywood took that image, and made it into a movie. Beyond the epic battles sequences, and the memorable war cries of Leonidas, the movie does attempt to stay fairly true to Spartan life. Before the film sets into the main battle portion of the movie, it really takes its time to introduce the viewer into the different aspects of Spartan society; which is a culture that is very alien to most westerners. By today's standards, Spartan culture would seem very backwards, and almost barbaric; however, every Spartan institution, as radical as it may seem, had a reason behind it, and was geared towards the elevation of the Spartan state.

The movie 300 gives an excellent representation of the Spartan Ethos and way of life; With the exception of a few small inaccuracies.

One of the main Spartan institutions which the film makers displayed was the Spartan agoge, or military school. This was a cornerstone in Spartan society. The Spartans enslaved other Greek peoples to do their farming, and support the state of Sparta. This allowed for them to concentrate all their energy in training for war. In Sparta, military service was mandatory. Children started at the age of seven, and membership was for life. At the age of seven, these young boys would be pushed to become the strongest they could be. They were also taught that the state of Sparta should be valued above all else. While stealing and fighting was encouraged during training, the Spartan soldiers were ultimately taught unity, and to fight as...