Thermopylae, the Delphic Oracle, and Other Tidbits

[chronarchy]

Because of the popularity of the movie 300 and the fact that I've now seen it twice and been amused by how Frank Miller represented the history (and, admittedly, appreciated the revalorizing of the myth of Thermopylae), I figured that I would provide the three Delphic oracles that particularly focus on the situation at the Hot Gates. (I just happen

Comments

[smithing_chick]

I was amused at the bit in the credits where it made a point to say "This movie is not attempting to be historically accurate & neither was the book it was based on"

Movies are meant to entertain. And 300 certainly does that-- Wow! It struck me as being more about the mythology of Thermopylae than about the actual history- look at the creatures the Persians had. The whole thing's so much larger than life, which is part of why it's such a good movie.

Still, I love learning about the actual history of these things. Thanks for posting this!

[chronarchy]

I think that knowing the history deepened the experience for me, primarily because I could look at it and say, "Wow, it's really cool what they put in, and what they left out!"

Thermopylae is one of the many battles I know well enough to diagram the entire action by hand without looking anything up. That made things truly interesting.

Now, when I go to Greece, I'm looking forward to actually standing near the wall, and meditating for a bit on the hill where the last stand took place. I have realized that there are two pieces of writing that need to come out of this trip: my experience of hiking up Olympus, and my experience of being at Thermopylae and Marathon. I suddenly have the urge to go to Plataea and Salamis, now, too. But perhaps another trip: there's much to do on this one already :)

[spottedtoad]

Great! Now I have to go buy more books!

Yipee for me.

[chronarchy]

If you're really interested in Greek warfare, I highly, highly suggest the book "The Western Way of War" by Victor Davis Hanson. I occasionally just sit down and read random excerpts from that book. It's not all that long, but it's very good, information-wise.

I imagine it'd be a good book to put somewhere on the ADF Warriors' Guild SP.

[tlachtga]

I highly, highly suggest the book "The Western Way of War" by Victor Davis Hanson

Sure--let's balance out that tree-hugging hippy shit. :)

/joke

[chronarchy]

*grins* Yes, totally too much of that!

I never quite "got" the warrior thing. Seems rather. . . well, rather BC to me. But then, it would to a guy like me :)

[snakesinspace]

I want to go see that movie, but no babysitter mixed with the possibility that it may be in Thai prevents me. Curses!

When I see you in Greece we should do our own reenactments!

[chronarchy]

I'd look good in a black leather speedo, don't you think? Well, so long as my abs were digitally painted on.

[snakesinspace]

Re speedo: It depends. I have heard rumours.

I thought all abs were digitally painted on.

[raydon_12]

They had a pretty good, though short, discussion on Talk of the Nation on NPR about the history and variances represented by the movie, I can't wait to see it!!

Maybe this will inspire me to catch up on my classical history.

[chronarchy]

Hehe. If only movies would have that effect commonly.

[raydon_12]

That would be nice, but I'm definitely not going to hold my breath waiting. Even though the movie industry has turned out some good ones in recent years, in general, I still hold the whole industry and its associated culture in contempt.