Other than Stan Lee, there may not be a more respected and beloved comic book storyteller than Frank Miller. He has been responsible for some of the greatest plots even conceived, creating Batman: Year One, The Watchmen, and V for Vendetta – just to name a small, select few from his brilliant library of ideas. Miller is also responsible for bringing the legend of the 300 to comic book form in 1998, which was so remarkable and breathtaking that it was adapted to film in the popular 2007 action flick, 300 – starring Gerard Butler. And, after seven long years, the battle with King Xerxes continues in the epic war continuation, 300: Rise of an Empire.
Directed by Noam Murro and based on Frank Miller’s yet to be published story, Xerxes – 300: Rise of an Empire picks up right where its predecessor left off. The 300 Spartans have fallen at the hands of the King Xerxes’ mighty army, and with Leonidas now beheaded, the news of his defeat hits both Sparta and neighboring Athens – led by General Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton).
Several years prior, Themistocles helped lead his democratic nation to a successful defense against the aggressive Persians – even killing the Persian king, Darius (Yigal Naor) in the process. With his son, Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), devastated after witnessing the death of his father, he eventually becomes a cold, sadistic king – only surrounding himself with one trusted general, Artemisia (Eva Green).
When Themistocles approaches Leonidas’ widow,
Aeschylus’ The Persians is an Athenian tragedy with a moral purpose designed to reaffirm the power of the Greek gods. In the play, Xerxes’ invasion of Greece is presented as an example of hubris or excessive pride, which must be punished by the gods. Xerxes actions lead to the downfall of his empire and the demoralization of Xerxes. The Persians was written for a Greek audience so naturally it is biased and inconsistent.
After the death of Darius, his son Xerxes was persuaded by his overconfident advisor Mardonius to attack the Greeks, and in doing so, Mardonius exaggerated Greek weaknesses and character. Even when Damaratus repeatedly told Xerxes that the Spartans were the bravest and best fighters of Greece, Xerxes still mocked them for their appearance and actions. "For four whole days he suffered to go by, expecting that the Greeks would run away." (Herodotus)
In Zack Snyder’s 300, the battle of Thermopylae, the life of the Spartans and the glory of war comes to life on the big screen for all audiences worldwide. The movie, 300, released in 2006 is based on the graphic novel written by Frank Miller, 300. The movie focuses on the use of the Classical past to portray everything from the upbringing of a Spartan to the bravery of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans on the battle fields of Thermopylae against the mighty Persians. Unlike most Hollywood movies proliferated based on real events, the movie 300, keeps accurate to the novel and the events that occurred in history. Despite the minor alterations and exaggerations such abandoning body armor and over-glorifying the Spartans, the movie still remains faithful to both the novel and history by using the classical past to explore social norms, accurately depict the way of life, events that occurred such as the battle of Thermopylae and the nature of people during 500 BCE.
Themistocles was responsible for the Greek victory in the Persian wars to a considerable extent. The key to Athens' strength in the 5th Century BC was in this general and statesman and therefore, as Greek victory relied so heavily on Athens, Themistocles vitally contributed to the outcome of the Persian king’s invasion of 480-479 BC. His early life reflects the character and skills developed that were responsible for these contributions. Five pivotal roles he undertook were of varying degrees responsible for Greece’s success against Xerxes. Themistocles possessed an incredible foresight
Xerxes was a man of power. The Great King of Persia, his empire encompassed the majority of the known world. On his invasion of Greece in the spring of 480BCE, he reportedly commanded a horde of over two million men. Even the Greek oracle at Delphi encouraged prudence in face of such an overwhelming force (7.140). Thus the question arises of why such an army failed to compel Greece into submission. I will explore this with focus on the key battles and the important factors, most notably the timing of the attack, the quality of his expeditionary force and Xerxes’ personal faults.
In 486BC Xerxes has become the successor of Darius 1. It is stated from the inscription at Persepolis that Xerxes has treats his people based on their service and loyalty, rather than their religion and ethnicity. Xerxes have both negative and positive relationship between the non-Persians and Persians.
King Xerxes I was the son of King Darius the Great, arguably “the greatest monarch in all of the ancient world”1. Unlike his more successful father Darius, Xerxes’ actions did not strengthen the Persian Empire, but led
Yet your historian has just finished telling us that Xerxes was a rash boy when he succeeded Darius.” “A small detail,” Thucydides began. “But typical of a work that will give as much delight at Susa as that play of Aeschylus called The Persians, which I myself translated for the Great King, who found delightful the author’s Attic wit.” None of this was true, of course; Xerxes would have gone into a rage had he ever known to what extent he and his mother had been travestied for the amusement of the Athenian mob. I have made it a policy never to show distress when insulted by barbarians.
During the course of his life and reign, Alexander had fought and won many battles and wars, defeating many kings and warlords throughout the ancient world. Perhaps his most recognized conquest was of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia and its ‘King of Kings’ Darius III during the Battle of Issus 1. After defeating the Persians at the Battle
I wonder, are the days of King Leonidas gone forever? I can tell you that I can't wait to see the film "300" because the story has really moved me.
The film I have chosen to do my critique on is Zack Snyder’s 300. 300 is a film about King Leonidas, the King of Sparta, and his 300 Spartan warriors who all stood up against the God-king Xerxes and his massive Persian army from annihilation. After watching the film very closely for my critique I believe there is a serious underlying theme that everyone has the right to be free and sometimes you have to stand up and make sacrifices to keep your freedom. Standing up for freedom is never an easy task as shown in 300 but, everyone deserves to be free. In discussing the storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, style and directing, the impact of society on the
On the morning of September 17, 480 B.C, the day known throughout history and Hollywood as the last stand of the 300 Spartans. King Leonidas and the brave Spartans faced imminent death as they fought the overwhelming 200,000 Persian soldiers. History sees this event as the battle of Thermopalae, but to Hollywood and most viewers it is better known as the movie- 300 directed by Zack Snider. The movie is very unique as it brings to light the events leading up to the one of the greatest last stands in history displayed by the Greeks. But what makes the movie memorable is the Speech given by Dilios played by actor David Wenham in the final scene. Dilios 's speech captures the attention of many for expressing passion, logic, and credibility to call his Greek army to arms as they charge against the Persians facing imminent doom.
start he is a very strong man and he was quite emotional as well, but
An emotionally stirring movie taking place in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s, “The Help” stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer as three women who share a common motive. This racially tense setting creates the perfect foundation for a drama film such as this. The characters’ personalities in combination with the emotion of the plot develop a socially accurate depiction of the struggles faced by the people of the time. While the racial aspect of the movie is dominant, viewers may also find compassion and friendship within the conversations and encounters of its characters.
- The protagonist in the story, he was a general that led the Romans to victory against the Barbarians which made him earn the favor of Marcus Aurelius. Maximus is a brave man that seeks justice and vengeance for his murdered family.