This is Sparta!

Released in the spring of 2007, the movie 300 tells the story of king Leonidas, who along with three hundred Spartan soldiers defends his city against the mighty Persian Army. The movie was a global hit and grossed over three hundred million pounds. Why was it so popular?

The film focuses on the Battle of Thermopylae that occurred in 480 BC. Why do moviegoers care about a battle that happened over two millennia ago? One reason is that the movie centres on the mysterious Spartans, who created one of the most unique societies in history.

While the Athenians were busy with their art, poetry and playwrighting, the Spartans had a single goal. It was the aim of every man or boy to become the best solider in the city. Their culture was a warrior culture where young boys were trained to fight soon after they learned to walk. They certainly had no need for an 0845 phone number. The reason Sparta became one of the most prominent military powers in ancient Greece had little to do with the warlike nature of its people. Rather, the Spartans became a military power because it was necessary to their survival. You see, they inhabited a region that suffered constant raids from more powerful armies.

And because they were a small city of only around ten thousand residents, all male citizens were required to undergo rigorous military training. In time, the Spartans became the most feared warriors in all of Greece. Their famous phalanx (a military technique) was considered all but unbeatable in battle.