Thermopylae - Fact and Fiction - Assignment Example

Section/# Thermopylae: Fact and Fiction Although Thermopylae represents a decisive battle that helps to constrain Persian influence to Asia Minor and Eurasia, it also represents an important juncture with regards to the development of Western civilization and the means through which subsequent powers would integrate with an understanding of self determinism, freedom, and sacrifice on the part of a semi-Democratic society. As a function of all of this, it can readily be understood that the battle of Thermopolis represents a great deal more than the sacrifice of several thousand young Greeks at the hands of an overwhelming Persian army. In seeking to understand, the following analysis will be concentric upon discussing the key differences and similarities that are extant between the true Battle of Thermopylae and Frank Miller’s recent film 300. The first aspect which should be understood is with regards to the sociopolitical realities of the era. Preceding the time that the battle of Thermopylae took place, the Greek city states had begun to develop and represent an early vestige of Democratic choice. Although these city states were far from exhibiting democracy to its rightful and determinate end, the representation of current democracy within the world most certainly traces its origins and roots back to the early Greeks and the manner through which administration, decisions, and affairs of state were conducted through a semblance of early Democratic choice. Although all of this took place decades and centuries before the rights of man and a firm delineation of the relationship between the citizen and the state was understood, it nonetheless engendered a type of shared sacrifice and a consent of the governed. This choice was rather accurately displayed by Frank Miller’s film in that it underscored the esteemed role that women played within the society and the means by which early democracy and elected members of society could have with respect to the way in which decisions were made. Further, the film also accurately represents the near totalitarian nature that the Persians exhibited with respect to administration and obedience to command. By means of comparison, the Persian Empire was administered by a total and complete monarch/dictator (Rashba 77). It should not be understood that even though this level of autocracy within Persia was clearly demonstrated that Xerxes or any of his predecessors were invariably predisposed to acts of savagery or cruelty. Although it is obviously the case that different leaders react in different ways to the absolute power that is granted them, historians mostly agree upon the fact that Xerxes was, at least by the standards of the times, fair and reasonable to the subjects that he Incorporated into the Persian Empire. The true history of the events asserts that the power of a consolidated Persia under the leadership of an autocrat such as Xerses meant that the power that this entity could wield over others was profound. By means of comparison, the loose level of cooperation that existed between the Greek city states meant that cooperation in and of itself was at a premium and was not exhibited often on matters of policy, defense, or economics. Instead, these city states were oftentimes in direct competition with one another and functioned more like fiefdoms than an integrated part of a larger Greece. Accordingly, the battle of Thermopylae help to underscore the need for a further level of integration and cooperation among these semi-Democratic city states (Frye 39). Yet, as compared to the Persians, the Greeks that were represented in the battle were only loosely confederated. This is an element of fact that the film completely overlooks. Seeking to focus on the exploits of the “300” Greeks at the “hot gates”, Miller’s film does not consider the fact that a confederation of Greek city/states provided soldiers and logistical support to the effort to stall or thwart the invasion that Xerxes threatened. The truth of the matter, according to most historians, is that nearly 3000 Greeks stood at the Battle of Thermopylae; along with them, the famed 300 from Sparta. In addition to this, Athens and other city states lent their naval support to engage the Persian fleet nearly at the same time as the Battle of Thermopylae was taking place. Realizing the existential threat to existence that was presented as a function of Persia is imminent invasion of Greece, emissaries were dispatched to seek to rally compliment parts of the Greek city states as a means of presenting a combined Greek force that would help to defeat the massive armada of Persian forces that had begun landing on Greek soil. The loose level of Confederation that existed between the Greek city states meant that no level of shared military response or shared sacrifice could immediately be assembled to face the Persian threat (Morris 211). Realizing that a decision had to be made immediately or the entirety of Greece could be at the hands of a foreign aggressor within a matter of months; Sparta set forward to lead the defense of the Greek peninsula. What ultimately transpired at the “hot gates”, the name of Thermopylae translated into English, was a situation in which a vastly outnumbered force of Greeks, composed of Spartans, Thebians, and Thespians, were able to stymie Xerxes army for two full days; providing the time and emotional encouragement that the remainder of the Greek city states seemingly required in order to be drawn in to the fray. Although the battle has itself become the thing of legend and has encouraged numerous duplications in the film and print, the fact of the matter was that there were a great many more than merely 300 Spartan hoplites defending against 1 million Persians. The truth of the matter was that there could have been as many as several thousand Greeks defending the hot gates against a force of Persia that numbered anywhere from 100,000 to 250,000 (Anderson 93). Due to a catastrophic loss at C and subsequent naval battles that were engaged by the Greeks prior to landing the main invasion force, it is estimated that at least 50% of the invasion force was lost prior to ever setting foot on Greek soil. These figures notwithstanding, it must be realized that the battle itself was still one of an overwhelming odds. Military historians and strategists alike continue to point to the fact that not only were the Greeks better trained, has the advantage of defending their own homeland, and better equipped for fighting the type of battle that they chose, they had the distinct advantage of utilizing regional typography to their advantage. Strategists and military planners around the entire globe continue to recognize this fact and encourage their own troops to benefit from the lessons that the Greeks demonstrated at Thermopylae. By utilizing the treacherous terrain and impossibility of utilizing another approach, the Greeks were able to funnel the bulk of the Persian army into a point; thereby not allowing them the advantage of utilizing the force and numbers that they ultimately represented. This approach works initially; as the Greeks were able to slaughter untold tens of thousands of Persian infantry that press themselves together in the hopes of dislodging the determined Greek warriors. However, as with so many battles, persistence paid off and the Persians were able to whittle the Greek forces down – eventually finding an alternative passage and circumventing the difficult frontal approach that they had experienced for two full days. Accordingly, this realization by the Persians is also utilized by military historians and strategists alike to point to the fact that effective flanking techniques can neutralize even the most top of graphically advantageous position. Another element that the film so flagrantly embellishes is with regard to the way in which the Greeks actually fought. It is patently untrue that the Greeks broke rank and fought melee style with any of the advancing columns of Persian troops. Ultimately, the strength of the phalanx was in its formation. Fighting in a tight formation with heavy body armor, also not represented in the film, the Spartans and others were able to dispatch numerically superior forces as a function of their long spears and short thrusting techniques that kept would be assailants at a distance and unable to break into this impenetrable wall. Ultimately, the information that is thus far been presented not only helps the detailed military exploits helped define the battle of Thermopylae, it also helps to detail the means through which a sociological and philosophical understanding of the importance of this battle continues to be felt throughout world history. Because Greece was able to deflect the Persian invasion, modern thought and the philosophy of developing democracy was allowed to flourish. As it has been previously noted, it was not incumbent upon the Greeks to invent democracy or to take it to its determinant in. However, their development of this concept and willingness to champion it, all the while defending it, allowed for it to be represented within Rome and subsequently throughout a broad majority of states within the global system. Furthermore, military strategy and the means of organizing resistance in a patriotic manner, leveraging topography to one’s advantage, and sacrificing troops in order to achieve strategic goals were all underscored by the events that took place during the three-day battle at Thermopylae. Accordingly, in order to understand and appreciate this moment in history to a greater and more complete degree, it is necessary for the reader to engage with an understanding of the fact that the battle of Thermopylae was far more than a solitary battle in ancient Greek history against an invading force. Rather, it encompassed elements of philosophical differences, extreme sacrifice, the need for integration of society, and the power that rabid patriotism could have upon defeating an overwhelming invasion force; all of these are of course lessons which continue to be relevant within the current era. Works Cited Anderson, Evan M. "After Thermopylae: The Oath Of Plataea And The End Of The Graeco-Persian Wars." Library Journal 138.7 (2013): 93. Business Source Complete. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. Frye, David. "Spartan Stand At Thermopylae." Military History 22.10 (2006): 38-44. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. Morris, Ian Macgregor. "To Make A New Thermopylae: Hellenism, Greek Liberation, And The Battle Of Thermopylae." Greece & Rome 47.2 (2000): 211. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. Rashba, Gary L. "Thermopylae, Greece." Military History 24.8 (2007): 76-77. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. Read More