1. In Sparta, homosexuality was very common; in Zoroastrian Persia, it was considered a perversion. (See Homosexuality in the militaries of ancient Greece and Middle Eastern Literature: Persian.)
2. The Spartans did not fight alone; 700 Thespians also fought to the death beside them. (See Battle of Thermopylae.)
3. The decisive victory against Persia was fought at sea by the Athenians.
4. Xerxes, king of Persia, did not look like a homophobe’s nightmare.
5. Persian soldiers did not look like an islamophobe’s nightmare.
6. Spartan soldiers had long hair (to cushion their helmets), wore armor, and fought in formation. Though the movie correctly gives them beards, they shaved their moustaches. (Given their obsession with lions, this may have been to look like lions, but I haven’t found the reason why Spartans looked like butch gay Amish.)
For a bit more about what the movie got wrong, see this short newspaper article: Sparta? No. This is madness. The battle of Thermopylae was real, but how real is 300? Ephraim Lytle, assistant professor of hellenistic history at the University of Toronto, has seen the movie and offers his view.
P.S. No, I haven’t seen the movie yet. I’ve seen a trailer and read some reviews. I may rent the movie when it’s on DVD and add more things it gets wrong then. Frank Miller’s simplistic, fascistic fantasies have troubled me since his first Dark Knight graphic album; now that he’s added xenophobia, homophobia, and, apparently, racism (what’s going on with the white guy shoving the uppity nigger down the well in the trailer?) to his quirks, I’m really not interested in giving him money.
Actually, there’s some debate about point number three. Some historians believe that the Battle of Thermopylae broke the Persian Empire’s momentum as they invaded the rest of the civilized world and possibly stopped them from taking over quite a bit more territory. An exercise in breaking the will of an opponent, as it were.
Though, I haven’t seen the movie either, so I don’t know quite how it’s presented there. As for the rest, well… I rather like Wagner’s operas, even though he was a terrible rascist. I like Miller’s movies, despite his personal failings.
Sorry, I meant to add something to that first bit but got distracted by someone at work.
I meant to add that some consider the battle “decisive” because it broke the Persian’s will to victory and allowed the Athenians time to prepare and stop them completely.
Personally, I don’t care either way. I just like the story of a relatively few men meeting a far superior force, knowing they will be ultimately defeated, because it’s their duty as soldiers to do so. There’s something tragic and noble about it that appeals to me.
Oh, and, incidentally, I appreciate the clarity and even-handed evaluation you bring to such diverse subjects as you discuss on your blog. Not to mention being a fan of your fiction, as well.
Network, I’m always delighted when someone says something like “I appreciate the clarity and even-handed evaluation you bring to such diverse subjects,” because I worry that I’m delivering tirades. But I suppose I shouldn’t worry so long as I am worrying; it’s when you can comfortably say that you’re fair and balanced that people should know you’re a nutjob.
Point #3 is probably overstated.
I also like stories about people accepting the consequences of doing what they think is right. That’s prob’ly why I liked the recent Alamo more than most people. (Thornton’s Crockett was great.)
And I’m also able to appreciate interesting art with agendas that I don’t share. That’s why I’ll probably rent 300. But if I have the choice, I’ll watch the Spanish dub.
It is possibly worth pointing out that the Persians of the era were obsessive about physical modesty, and thought that the Greek habit of running around without clothes on was quite, quite shocking. This makes the film’s version of “Xerxes” even more offensive.
Beth, excellent addition!
Network,
does the “civilized world” come versus the uncivilized Persians, as the movie portrays?
Technically, you could argue that all the soldiers in the movie were Thespians.
Damon, sorry, I should have been more clear on that. The Spartans would have seen themselves as the seat of the “civilized world”, but I was rather including all of the Mediteranian and Europe. If I recall my history correctly, they all wanted, well, all of their known world.
I did actually see the movie yesterday. The cinematography was wonderful! The costumes were, well, about what you’d expect from a movie made from a comic book. I was pleased to see that they included the 700 Thespians who also fought with the Spartans. From the trailers, etc. it looked like that would get left out.
I was a bit surprised that they had as much heterosexual sex in it as they did. It seemed gratuitous and wholely unnecessary. I suppose it was to ensure their rating.
The only homophobic comment that stuck out for me, as an admittedly insensitive hetersexual man, was a comment made by Leonides regarding the Athenians being “boy-lovers”. The tone was such that it was obviously an insult, which would have been out of character for virtually any Greek at the time, as I understand it.
In all, it wasn’t a bad movie, in spite of being historically innacurate and a little over the top on the campiness. Xerxes was way over the top in his golden Speedo and his multiple piercings. A great visual for a comic book villian, but nothing close to accurate. I liked it, for the ultraviolence, but I wouldn’t see it again, nor do I feel compelled to own it on DVD.
I can only sum this film up as the Arian Lord of the rings. LOL
I suppose rascism in it’s direct form is prosecutable in the movies these days. I stagger to believe how this got through any respectable censor?
If ever a film was released to stir up hatred at a specific time then this is it.
WHAT A PILE OF MINCE AS WE SCOTS SAY!
What a chortle they portray a man with a scottish accent as the spartan king! probably authors butch fantasy.LOL
I think the writer has Arian issues, and issues regarding his sexuality. From boy lover comments to ‘taught’ and ‘ripped’ spartans!
I think the author of the comix needs to address which way his pedulums swinging. Right now he’s all over the place.