Did the Spartans really beat 1 million Persian soldiers with 300 troops?

Elana

The movie takes extreme liberties with what
has been proven.

Most of the stories depicting that era come from
Homer who also talked about giant hydra,
vendictive sea Gods, etc.

We do occasionally get real evidence, like digging
up a town, etc, but its sketchy at best.

For instance, its only within the last 20 years that
they had any idea where Troy was.

But it makes for a great story!

Shant J

It was actually more like half a million persians, and it wasn't only the Spartans. There were other Greek troops. About 2,000 in all. Oh, and they lost.

Stone K

No actually the movie does not claim 300 beat a million, in fact the Spartans get crushed.

That's not a spoiler by the way.

but their actions fire up the Greeks and the other Spartans and the end result was the Greeks defeated the Persians in a later battle.

the Battle was about sacrificing ones self for an idea, for freedom and to hold back oppression.

The old story claims a million, but modern historians place the number between 75,000 to 200,000 total including support personal.

but the story is more dramatic with a much larger Persian Army.

Tropango

I'm not sure. I think I read about it somewhere. The Spartans were there to buy time for the Athenian fleet or something. They were there to hold off Persians for as long as possible. They were crushed yes, but they inflicted heavy casualties on the other side. Eventually, the Persians lost to the reinforcements. I think... Don't report abuse me please.

robot_hooker

The story isn't about winning. It's about standing firm in the face of overwhelming odds and facing death with honor and dignity. It's a classic tale and one that is well worth remembering today when many of our political leaders find it fashionable in polite societies to denegrate our troops.

I've already read several reviews mocking "300" for showing warriors who lived and died with honor, the concept of "honor" itself being held in derision by our media and intelligensia.

AintSkeered

Estimates vary on the strength of the Persian force, from 200,000 to 2,000,000. The 300 Spartans under Leonidas and 700 Thespians stayed behind and held a mountain pass against the Persians, giving the rest of the Greek forces time to withdraw and defend Athens. All 1,000 Greeks who stayed behind died, but killed MANY more Persians. The Persians finally killed all the last remaining Spartans with spears and arrows, because they were taking such huge losses fighting them in close combat.

blackberry_2x2

no its a big lie . they dident defeat persian army but they killed many of persian soldires and they made some time for greeks army to prepare for the war.

Pooky Bear the Sensitive

What can you add after Orion's history lesson? Read the book "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield. One of the best books ever written about Hellenic Greece.

If you want an even better story read "Tides of War" also by Pressfield.

Learn about Xenophon and the 10,000.

All true stories and all amazing.

hockyguy667

the movie 300 is based on a book. but i dont think it was 1 million. more like 250000-500000 becuase they wouldnt be able to carry food and supplys for more than that.

jeeper_peeper321

No, the Spartans lost, in the movie and in real life.

While there were 300 Spartans, there were also 8,000 other southern greeks at Thermopylae, not counting the slaves that each Greek had to serve him, straighten out his bronze swords and resharpen them, prepare food, etc.

No one knows for sure just how many Persians there were, best estimates are around 300,000, but it could have been alot higher.

Also not mentioned in the movie, were the naval battles going on at the same time.

The Persians were trying to land a force by sea that numbered in the 10's of thosands at the same time, the Athenian Navy defeated the Persian Navy.

The Persians bought supplies with them and also thousands of slaves, besides living off the land and being supplied by the northern Greeks.

You should read up about the battle of Thermopylae.

revtobadblack

It,s a cool story check it out at www.300spartanwarriors.com

Gerard Butler's Lover

okay for the actual facts not only 300 spartans were fighting against the persian empire with other races maybe people like greeks but the spartans alone would have not been able to defeat them themselves which just a couple of men against a million.

Rob D

um no do u realy think 300 soliders can defeat 1 mill troops with out a nuke lol

Tammi D

A sacrificial expeditionary force was sent to delay the Persians so the Greeks could build up their navy in hopes of achieving ultimate victory.

Surely there are a number of websites out there with details. Try searching for "Battle of Thermopylae"

scarlettt_ohara

Was that the original million man march?????

persian man

that film is big lie plz read the history of Iran

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