The truth about King Leonidas, the 300 Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae (Thermopylai) - Spartan warfare, hoplites and their armor and the evolution of the Greek warriors and their tactics 2.0
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AN OVERVIEW OF THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE - To view the teacher/student resources, please click this image - Copyrighted image courtesy of Nikos Panos
The Battle of Thermopylae has been an integral part of the curriculum of many high schools, colleges and universities around the world. In addition, the battle has been taught in military academies as an example of how a small well trained group of resolute warriors can defend their position against a numerically superior force. Therefore, when Warner Bros.' '300'premiered in 2007, it raised awareness of the heroic story of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartansto unprecedented heights.However, the movie which was adapted from the eponymously named Frank Miller comic book series, was criticized by scholars and many in the academic community due to its revisionism. Even more disconcerting was that its R-rated content became much more readily accessible to the under-17 audience due to its release on DVD and its recent airing on cable TV. This has undoubtedly had an impact on impressionable young students who can't ascertain the difference between '300's factual and fictional elements, of which there were many.
Consequently, the website's mission will be to provide a more realistic summation of the warriors and the events as they happened at Thermopylae ('Hot Gates') in August 480 BC....>>>MORE
Please click this image to be directed to Osprey Publishing's ancient warfare titles
(c) 20th Century Fox (1962) - 'THE 300 SPARTANS'
For
many, the movies have served as an introduction to an historical event
and the Battle of Thermopylae is no exception. The
Spartan and Thespian last stand, immortalized in the
works of Herodotus and glorified in the 1962 20th Century Fox movie 'The 300 Spartans', will be featured in these web pages, as will the aforementioned Warner Bros. movie'300', which captivated a new audience, many
of whom were previously unfamiliar with one of history's iconic battles. In addition, the
heroism displayed by the Greek defenders of this narrow pass
alternatively know as the 'Hot Gates', has inspired the creation of one
of its greatest literary works, Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire'. >>>MORE
(c) Warner Bros. (2007) - '300'
LIVING HISTORY FOR THE CLASSROOM - Living History Group 'The Hellenic Warriors' aka 'Warriors of Thermopylae' filmed by the media - To view several of our most recent engagements, please click the image.
Since
there are so very few artifacts in museums which have survived from the
Greco-Persian & Peloponnesian Wars era, the Living History Group 'The Hellenic Warriors'
has researched and constructed much of its own armor for classroom
display and appearances. In addition, we have commissioned armorers
from around the world to recreate the different types worn by the Greek
hoplite during the era known as 'Classical Greece' (or the 'Golden Age
of Greece'). Therefore, we are very honored to announce our
association with Daniyal Steel Crafts of India, whose artists have crafted many of the these items. A
multimedia presentation on the Battle of Thermopylae has been compiled
for the classroom which will refute much of what has been depicted in
'300'. We have recently augmented this presentation by adding several of the other
battles of the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian Wars.>>>MORE
A list of items, many of them rarities, has been compiled for the enthusiast of the Spartan military culture. For those who have a deep appreciation and admiration for the story of King Leonidas, his 300 Spartans and the defense of the Pass of Thermopylae, please note that a portion of the proceeds from the sales from this site and our Cafe Press affiliate will be forwarded towards the funding of the Leonidas Expeditions, whose objectives can be viewed here.
THE LEONIDAS EXPEDITIONS - Click this image to visit 'The Agora'
An international archaeological team has been assembled, whose purpose is to locate the Anopaia path which was used by Hydarnes' Immortals to encircle the Greek defenders of Thermopylae. Furthermore, the site of the Phokian skirmish is also one of the objectives of this scholarly group which is comprised of academics, archaeologists, authors and scholars. Please access the following link to read more about the Leonidas Expeditions.
All original texts and images are copyright (c) 2006-2009 by John Trikeriotis
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