I am no supporter of the guys in the so called Iran Politics Club, but they bring up some very good points in there article so I am posting the whole article here. I do not share the extremist views on this article and definitely do not agree with glorifying the Persian empire the way that members of this club are known for, but the material they present there are good value for anyone who wants to compare the fact with the destructive fiction created by the Hollywood.
UPDATE March 21st
My apology to everyone who were offended by the content of this text. The information on this entry is not mine and I just put it here to support the historical view of this.
I have also added several other similar options to my blog with similar information. they are much less offending and more accurate:
- The 300 Movie: Separating Fact from Fiction
- Greek critics lash Hollywood’s ancient epic ‘300′
- XERXES
- A few words on the unethical movie 300 produced by Warner Brothers Company of USA
- 300themovie.info
- The Persian Empire Strikes Back
Unfortunately, I do not have much to write my own thoughts about the issue and I believe the text on “The 300 Movie: Separating Fact from Fiction” dsicueses the issue from a good historical perspective. But still, whenever I have some time, I will write my ideas about the movies and the historical aspects of it and why I am mad at it the way I am.
You can find the original at their web site : Iran Politics Club
300 Spartans, The Real Story!
A Historically Accurate Review on 300, The Movie (2007)
Ahreeman X
March 9, 2007
I was sitting in my office and pondering what should I write specifically for the Persian Cultural Month?
I came to the conclusion that the best piece that I can write to educate the public about the Persian Culture and expose the Hollywood spoofs at the same time, would be a piece about 300, The Movie! That is why I am going to tell you the true history of the 300 Spartans.
The movie comes out on March 9, 2007 (today) and I have not seen it yet (through special previews); however, I have seen the making of the movie, a program about the movie on the History channel, clips and trailers of the movie on the net and online writings about the movie. I have a strong feeling that this will be yet another Hollywood Bull Shiite Spoof!
Another Anti Persian, Hollywood spoof based on mythical Greek garbage tales of ancient Greek historians when 300 Spartans fought an army of 300,000 Persians and slaughtered a bunch of them (80,000 Persians) before they died in battle as Greek heroes with honor, Greek Style!
As a historian, this movie seems cartoonish and humorous to me!
300, The Hollywood Spoof
This new Hollywood spoof mixes up the new computer effects and animations to even make the spoof more appetizing for the children who love play video games and watch computer animations!
Hell, this new version is more like a Fantasy! It has Warriors riding on giant Rhinoceroses, mythical creatures, handsome brave Greek Warriors, handsome brave Greek King Leonidas and beautiful Queen Gorgo, Ugly Savage Persians, deranged Persian Immortals with scary masks and of course Xerxes portrayed as the usual Persian Barbarian Tyrant! Each Greek Warrior kills tens and hundreds of Persians before he dies bravely in the battle!
L. Hydarnes the Immortal Persian Commander
R. King Leonidas the Greek King of Sparta
300 Spartans (1962 version)
King Leonidas in battle - 300, The Movie (2007 version)
Greek well equipped and organized Hoplites similar to a sea of armors
King Leonidas and his Hoplites, very fierce Greek Warriors
Now look at the brave Greek Hoplite fighting 4 Rag Head Persian soldiers (2007 version)! Would someone please tell me why Persian troops look like Evil Ninjas with Rags on their heads?
The Uber Immortal
Brand new addition of Hollywood Historians
Uber Immortal is some kind of abomination or genetically engineered human-beast. Uber Immortal is very tall, gigantic, muscular, strong, beast-like, and in addition he has fangs! Persian Immortal Commanders often keep him in chains and well tamed, unless in battles, when they release him to mass slaughter the Greek Hoplites! Over here the Uber Immortal leashed and bonded before release! Now would someone please tell me exactly at what point in history, The Persian Empire experimented with Genetic Engineering to create an Aryan Master Race of Uber Immortals? Persians are simply portrayed as Nazis!
Wonderful and brave Greek Hoplites portrayed by Hollywood Historians!
Persian Immortal Commander
Check out the Evil mask helmet. Check out the Ninja uniform. Check out the black rag on his head. This guy looks more like a Japanese Ninja rather than a Persian Immortal Commander!
Uber Immortal is unleashed, unchained, ungagged and unbonded to swallow the Greek Hoplites alive! Dear Lordy Lordy Lord! I don’t know which are more asinine, Greek Historians or Hollywood Historians? Both groups are famous for creating amazing fantasies out of their rectums! This reminds me of American Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis and Aryan Brotherhood who claim they are White Aryans! These illiterate morons do not have a shred of racial and anthropological knowledge! American White Supremacists are of the White “Anglo-Saxon” race and by no means they are Aryan! On the other hand mostly Northern Iranians are of the White “Aryan” Race. So these bozos call themselves Aryans, which are not, yet they call us Rag Heads whom we are the true white Aryans! These idiots still assume that we are Arabs! Typical Redneck illiterate Americans! What do you expect?
Now here are a group of Real Immortals. As you can see, they do not wear Ninja uniforms, Scary Japanese masks, white or black rags on their heads and they do not have fangs! They wear purple uniforms (official immortal color) and gold head coverings to protect them from desert sandstorms.
Persian Immortal Elites
Immortals were the elite units of the Imperial Persian Forces.
As I viewed the links below, I was truly surprised that unlike the 1962 version, this time Hollywood did not trash Artemisia (Commander of the Persian Navy) and portray her as a slut! The reason is that Artemisia was not even involved in this one! So Zack Snyder (God knows who the hell he is) directed this spoof. Gerald Butler plays Leonidas, Lena Heady plays Gorgo and Rodrigo Santoro plays Xerxes.
300 Spartans, the 1962 version poster
Originally Greek Historians used to create mythical lies about Greco-Persian Wars but now Hollywood does this task!
I have to admit the special effects and computer animation is great; however, this movie will not be remembered for its great acting performances and neither for any shred of historical value or reality. This movie is from a long line of fabricated garbage such as Alexander, 300 Spartans (1962 version) and other spoofs which came out of Hollywood.
Basically this is a computer animation, special effect, cockamamie warrior tale for children and other mindless morons to occupy a few hours of their time by watching this movie rather than playing video games, reading comic books or watching Scooby Dooby Doo! Of course you can also watch it only to have fun and pass time.
But I will not be surprised if some bozos would actually quote this movie as a historical document!
Please enjoy the latest Hollywood Spoof to glorify Greeks as fathers of the Western Civilization and trash Persians as Savage dogs! Another Hollywood garbage to undermine 8000 years of Iranian history, the mother civilization of the world! Please review and educate yourselves to 8000 years of Iranian History.
With the present US-Iran situation, this will be a great propaganda to warn the world about the threat of the New Persian Shiite Empire (IRI), same as the Old Persian Empire (Achaemenid)!
Personally I will not spend a dime on garbage like this. I will not go see the movie and I will not even buy or rent it when it comes out on DVD. I just wait till it comes on Cable Movie channels (Encore and such ….), thus this film same as Alexander and other Hollywood spoofs of the past has zero historical credibility and it is an insult to the Superior and dominating Persian Culture (in comparison to Greeks) and surely an insult to Iran and Iranians.
Frank Miller
This whole spoof started by Frank Miller in San Diego! He was a fan of the movie 300 Spartans (1962 version), so he grew up to write the new version. He wrote the graphic novel and comic books on Sin City, 300 and more. He made the adaptation of the comic books to the movies. As you can see, the technique, special effects, computer animation, scenery and imagery, and the filming style of Sin City and 300 are the same. It is a new style of graphics and filming. Actually I find it pretty cool and artistic. It is over dramatization of the story by use of the new technology.
300 is basically a comic book by Dark Horse Comics written by Frank Miller about the Battle of Thermopylae as his childhood favorite. So Frank Miller went on to create the new version of the movie and this guy Zack Snyder directed the spoof. Now the point is that neither Frank Miller nor Zack Snyder are historians and non of them worked with anyone worthy who can be considered as a historian. Together, they created a Hollywood spoof with a lot of cool special effects for kids and the brain drained to sell a lot of comic books, graphic novels, DVDs, video games, lunch boxes, action figures and other toys! However the historical value of this spoof is zilch! But what about the true history of Thermopylae? Let us review some real history.
Now this is the most hilarious episode in the new version of the 300.
L. King Leonidas of Sparta
R. Persian Messenger of Xerxes
Peter Mensah as the Persian Messenger! According to Hollywood Historians, the messenger was black! It is true that Persian Empire and Today’s Iran consists of many races. Iran is a large country and we have White Aryans in north, Oriental Turkmen in northeast, Indians in southeast, Arab Hemites in southwest, Jewish Semites all around, mixed and dark races in south and central, and even Blacks in south; however, this does not change the historical fact that Xerxes’ messenger to Leonidas was a white Aryan Persian! Over here the messenger becomes Black and Leonidas calls him “Persian”!
L. Black Persian Messenger
C. King Leonidas of Sparta
R. Queen Gorgo of Sparta
Leonidas kicks the Persian Messenger mercilessly in to the deep well and in to his demise.
Persian Messenger: In no place in the world is tradition to kill the messenger!
Leonidas: This is not the world, This is Sparta.
Persian soldiers standing on both sides of the messenger are held still by the Greek swords to not make a move while Leonidas kills the messenger. Check out the Square-looking Rags on Persian soldiers’ heads (Hollywood style)!
Peter Mensah as the Persian Messenger falling in the well. Yes he is Black! Do you recall in Alexander Movie, Oliver Stone transformed the Persian Princess Roxanna to a black girl? Oliver Stone made Rosario Dawson (a Black Actress) to play Roxanna (a White Aryan Persian)! Now Zack Snyder and Frank Miller get Peter Mensah (a Black Actor) to play the Messenger (a White Aryan Persian)! Don’t you just love history according to Hollyweird?
For more information check:
Famous Historical Perian women
The Real 300 - The True History
Thermopylae (480 BC) was only one battle amongst the many battles fought during the Greco-Persian Wars. Persian Empire was the sole super power in the world. 2/3 of Greek Peninsula were either Khashtaras (States), protectorates or Allies of the Persian Empire. Also Western Anatolia (today’s west Turkey) which back then were consisting of Greek City States were all under the reign of Persian Empire. These Greek City States were also Khashtaras (states) of Iran. Note that Khashtaras is the English plural for Khashtara meaning state in ancient Persian.
Greeks of the Central and South Grecian Peninsula were agitating, sabotaging and interfering with the affairs of the Greek States under the reign of the Persian Empire. In other words, they were sabotaging the internal affairs of the Persian Empire; therefore, the Empire had to deal with them and use extreme force to teach these agitators a lesson. So we had Internal Greeks which were citizens of the Persian Empire and living in Greek States of the Persian Empire and then we had External Greeks which were independent but scattered City States outside the boundaries of the Persian Empire, yet always tried to cause rebellions and riots leading to separatism amongst the Greek States of the Persian Empire. So these agitators wanted to separate our Greek States from the main body of Iran.
External Greeks of the 5th Century BC were the same as today’s External Azeris of External Azerbaijan, Kurds of External Kurdistan, Turkmen of External Turkmenistan, Arabs outside Khuzestan, and Baluchis outside Baluchistan whom are actively trying to separate our above states from the main body of Iran. These people had to be dealt with severely.
So basically Thermopylae (480 BC) was only one battle amongst the many battles fought during the Greco-Persian Wars. An alliance of Greek City States fought the Persian Imperial Army at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Greeks were low in numbers and put up a good fight but by no means they were mythical as the Greek Historians expanded these myths!
Leonidas and Spartans blocked the Thermopylae Pass so the Imperial Persian Army could not pass. On the thrid day Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks revealing a mountain path which led behind the Greek lines. This act caused the elimination of the Greek army; however, King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers stayed behind to protect the pass. They knew it was a suicide mission but they held their position and secured the retreat of the remaining Greek force retreating the battlegrounds. Both Persians and Greeks had losses. Persians succeeded in taking the pass. The fierce resistance of Leonidas and Spartans bought Athens and other Greek States time to prepare for a naval battle, which would change the outcome of the war. Later on the Greek victory in the Battle of Salamis in addition with Sea Storm had caused the loss of many Persian navy vessels. Weather was surely against the Persian Fleet.
Kheshayar Shah (Xerxes) decided to go back to Asia, so he left Commander Marduniyeh (Mardonius) in charge of the European Army. Mardonius faced Greeks (Spartans and other City States) in battle for one last time. The Spartans and other Greeks assembled at full strength and defeated the Persians in the Battle of Plataea. So overall Persians had won some and lost some battles but they taught the Greek agitators a lesson to stay off of Persian Territory and stop agitating the Greek States of Iran. Persian Empire maintained keeping all her states and caused damage to External Greek Agitators.
Xerxes played by David Farrar in 1962 version of 300 Spartans directed by Rudolph Mate. At least in the 1962 version, Xerxes looked realistic and his clothes also looked realistic.
L. Artemisia
R. Xerxes
Emperor Xerxes (David Farrar) and Grand Admiral Artemisia (Anne Wakefield) during celebration, chats and flirtations in 300 Spartans (1962 version). Even though Commander in Chief of the Persian Navy (back then at Battle of Salamis, only a Navy Commander), the mighty Artemisia was portrayed as a slut, yet at least both Artemisia and Xerxes looked human and their costumes were pretty much accurate.
Now take a look at the 2007 version of Xerxes! Get a load o this!
Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) fully naked only wearing a speedo thong, boots and a cape! Xerxes has chains hanging all over his head, chest and body (representing his tyrannical and sadistic nature). Xerxes also has multiple piercing, needles, clips, ear rings, nose rings and chains hanging all over his face! By the way, when did Xerxes go bald?
Xerxes talking to Leonidas
Xerxes looks like a Gothic Hun from Attila’s Hordes of Cannibals! They even gave Xerxes long and sharp black nails to make him look more like a beast. From where on earth did they dragged out this costume? Out of their rectums?
Xerxes and Leonidas
Doesn’t Xerxes looks like a Barbarian Gypsy in S&M costume? Tell me what’s most “Out There”? Wild Tales by Greek Historians or Off Shoot Tales by Hollywood Historians? These Persian costumes are so historically inaccurate and strange enough to make spinach grows on your privates!
L. Real Carving of Xerxes
R. Real Portrait of Xerxes
Xerxes on horse top
Now this is the true Xerxes. Do you see any ear rings, nose rings, tit rings, genital rings, piercing, needles, chains, leash, and leather speedo thong?!
Persians had heavy casualties but so did Greeks, and by no means the Greco-Persian Wars were such great victory for Greeks. Greeks managed to remain independent of Persian Empire, yet still as a number of separated and scattered city-states irrelevant in global politics of the time.
Herodot, Greek Historians and now Hollywood portrays these wars as Great Victories for Greek Brave Warriors and great defeats for Evil Ugly Persian Tyrants!
Greeks become Fathers of Democracy and Western Civilization but Persians become Evil Eastern Barbarian Tyrants!
The reality was that Persian Empire was the first “Federal Empire” in the world. Federalism Achaemenid Style was very primitive, yet the very first Federal Government in the globe. Internal affairs of the Persian Empire were conducted democratically and we had a federal system of government with all due respect to all Khashtaras (states) to control their own internal affairs. Persian States had absolute internal autonomy during the Achaemenid Empire. We invented the meaning of civilization and presented it to the world. 8000 years of Iranian civilization is the mother civilization of the globe.
Who were the Barbarians and who were the Civilized?
Persian Empire was ran so prosperously, which 2/3 of the Greek city-states in Anatolia (present Turkey) and Grecian Peninsula preferred to join the Empire as either states or protectorates. Economically, socially, politically and militaristically it was only logical and for their benefit to join the powerful Persian Empire rather than remain as a few scattered Greek city-states fighting amongst themselves. That was what the Greeks done for centuries: fighting amongst themselves and remaining as weak city-states! So 2/3 of the Greek city-states decided to change their fate. I do not call this action treason but I call it visionary and logical. Unlike Herodot, I do not call the people of these city-states “Puppets” but I call them valuable and equal citizens of the Persian Empire. Aristotle used to call Persians “Barbarians“, but the reality was that the remainder 1/3 of the Independent Greeks were small and inferior elements in comparison to the sophisticated and superior Persians and Persian Empire which ruled the world.
Now, Hollywood portrays Xerxes as an egotistic tyrant, Persians as beasts and savage dogs! So in a way Hollywood and the West, demonizes the Persians and the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the same way that they are demonizing today’s Persians and Iran.
Civilized Greeks - Hollywood Style
Theron and the civilized Greek councilmen
Half Beast Savage Xerxes - Hollywood Style
Barbaric animal-like Xerxes is screaming like a wounded wolf!
As I have mentioned, this is all fine and dandy, until some illiterate bozos actually quote spoofs like this as the Real History!
Greek Historians’ Lies and Hollywood Lies
Originally and in ancient times, Greek Historians used to create mythical lies about Greco-Persian Wars but now Hollywood has taken over this task! Hollywood even does a better job falsifying the history, thanks to the new technology!
Portrait of Leonidas at Thermopylae, by Jacques-Louis David (1814)
King Leonidas (Richard Eagan) 1962
King Leonidas (Gerald Butler) 2007
Greek Historians’ Exaggerated Lies
Herodot claimed that basically in the complete Greco-Persian Wars:
Greek Military Numbers were about
Spartans 300
Thespians 700
Mantineans 500
Tegeans 500
Corinthians 400
Thebans 400
Phlians 200
Mycenaeans 80
Opuntians 13
Phocians 1,000
Arcadians 1,120
Etc.
Total of over 27,000
And of course,
Persian Military Numbers were about
Imperial Infantry 1,700,000
Imperial Cavalry 80,000
Imperial Navy 517,610
Arabs, Africans, Indians and Pakis 20,000
Greek “Puppets” 324,000
Etc.
Total of over 2,700,000
Notice how over 25 thousand brave Greeks fought over 2.5 million ugly Persians plus their puppet Greek traitor allies plus their African and Asian Allies! Poor Greeks took over the World, many died as heroes but they managed to save Democracy, Civilization, Humanity and Greece!
Notice how Herodot calls 2/3 of Greeks participated with Persians, as “Puppets” and some places “Traitors“; however, the reality was that 2/3 of Greeks were either officially citizens of Persian States and Persian Empire, Persian Protectorates or Persian Allies! In fact those 1/3 Greeks were the agitators to cause separatism and interfere with the internal affairs of the Persian Empire!
Greco-Roman and particularly Greek Historians such as Herodot (Herodotus), Thucydides, Ctesias, Plutarch, Ephorus, and Diodorus claim many lies. Greatest Master Liar of them all was Herodot.
Please study these maps:
Iran Historical Maps: Persian Achaemenid Empire - Part 3
Thermopylae Battle Map
Salamis Battle Map
Artemisia’s Trireme Navy Vessel
Final Stages of Thermopylae
Greek Historians claim that at the “final stages” of Thermopylae (480 BC), 300 Spartans battled 30, 000 Persians which were a part of the larger force of 300,000 total Persians. In total and during all stages of the battle, these 300 Spartans along with rest of the Greek forces (700 Thespians + 1,000 Others = Total of 1,700) battled 300,000 Persians and killed 20,000 Persians (A third of the original Persian fighting force unit) before all 300 Spartans died gloriously as brave Greek Warriors! So it was 300 Spartans versus 300,000 Persians!
Thermopylae
Greek Historians claim that at Thermopylae “in total” there were between 200,000 to 300,000 Persians who fought about 5,000 Greeks. Persian casualties were 80,000 while Greek casualties were 2,400 total!
Marathon
Greek Historians claim that at Marathon (Darius’ Era) on 490 BC, over 6,400 Persians died for the loss of approximately 192 Greeks-Athenians!
Salamis
Greek Historians claim that at Salamis over 1,210 Persian ships faced about 368 Greek ships. Persians lost 200 ships while Greeks lost only 40 ships! Persian casualties were 50,000 while Greeks had 500 Dead and 5,000 wounded!
Plataea
Greek Historians claim that at Plataea over 100,000 Persians died while there were only between 159 (Herodotus) to 10,000 (Diodorus) Greek casualties!
Greco-Persian Wars
In total Greek Historians claim that in Greco-Persian Wars, over 27,000 Greeks faced over 2,700,000 Persians and managed to mass slaughter over 230,000 Persians while suffering just about 13,000 casualties!
Question for the Thinking Minds?
Would you please tell me if all the above are Greek Fantasies and Greek Mythology or are they Ancient History? Does the above makes sense to you?
L. Queen La-reine Gorgo (Anna Synodinou)
R. King Leonidas (Richard Egan)
in 1962 version of 300 Spartans
L. Commander Artemisia (Anne Wakefield)
R. Emperor Xerxes (David Farrar)
in 1962 version of 300 Spartans
Artemisia and Xerxes during celebration, chats and flirtations in 300 Spartans (1962 version). Of course back then (Battle of Salamis) Artemisia was only a navy commander. Later on she became Grand Admiral and Commander in Chief of the Persian Navy. No matter how biased and Anti Persian, Hollywood falsified the history on the 1962 version, but at least the costumes were pretty much realistic; however, the 2007 version is simply “Out There”! It is an over exaggeration of the whole history, Hollyweird style!
Queen Gorgo (Lena Heady) looks very sexy and appetizing!
Conclusion
Ancient Greeks were very good with sitting around the Grecian Peninsula, at the daytime philosophizing, creating “Out There” amazing heroic stories, Greek Mythology, war fantasies, and at the nighttime having Anal Sex! But when the Greeks were philosophizing, creating “out there” tales out of their rectums and butt banging each other, us “The Persians” were busy attending to “Reality” and creating the “Global Civilization“! And that my friends is the difference between Greek Philosophy and Persian Philosophy!
This is Real History:
This is Garbage:
Observe the Crap ala Carte:
300 Spartans (Original Movie) 1962 version - IMDB
300 Movie - 2006 version - IMDB
300 - Official Site by Warner Brothers
L. Grand Admiral Artemisia The First of Halicarnassius
R. Shahanshah Xerxes The First of Achaemenid
Realistic and historically accurate portrait. The original design (not this version) was primarily put on Internet by myself.
And don’t hold your breath and count seconds for the movie to come out cause it will be another disappointment and Anti Iranian bias Hollywood spoof. At last allow me to find proper words describing this movie in one sentence:
“300, The Movie is the greatest cockamamie, Bull Shiite, Hero Worship, Falsification of History Hollywood Spoof made so far in the 21st Century!”
May the True History be prevailed
Dr. X
83 users commented in " 300 Spartans, The Real Story! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackYou are a piece of shit. Xerxes was black. You have been brain watched with many fallacies.
Accept the truth. Most history you have learned in school is fabricated lie with a specifif agenda.
Dont waste our time with this B.S.
I think that 300 was just a “movie”, and anyone with a brain would know this. You dont need to freak out about how wrong misleading it is. You can just appreciate someone elses work of art which was based off of another comic book series… go get laid dood. and your grammer suckz. you dont need “be” infront of “prevailed”. you dont need the “ed” at the end either. You were probably thinking , revealed. or , may true history prevail…
Are you are the same as all the other rude Immigrants from Iran? Maybe you should just pack your bags and go home. You and so many other Persians follow the same selfish path. The path to take, takes, take and give nothing back to community or this country. The path that says don’t judge me, but I’ll judge the hell out of you.
This movie is Heighten reality at best, but I would think anyone with common sense would know this. You’re just mad because this film shows the internal ugliness of some of your people. Maybe more people should ask why are the Persians in this movie depicted as Monsters. Maybe you should look at the way your culture disrespects this country. The country that gives you everything your beloved homeland can’t.
So, ask yourself are you a Monster?
Thank you for a very interesting article!
But for me - you are missing one little point…
To judge the movie and to say “May the True History be prevailed” - you first should get yourself a copy of a “source” for this movie: http://www.amazon.com/300-Frank-Miller/dp/1569714029
Don’t forget that the movie was made from a _COMIC BOOK_ - which is in no way trying to be a historical documentary. And unfortunately only some stupid folks will get it as “oh that’s how everything was”. But with this style of thinking we shouldn’t be afraid for this people’s misperception of history…they will not be able to “rule the world” believing what TV told them.
I realy 100% agree with all your information and i myself know that the Persians were way more cultural….let’s even say totaly not as they are pictured in this movie. So normal people if they wish to know the real facts - the’ll take some books and make some researches through out ancient history to know “how it realy was” - and a movie will remain like a fantasy entertainment and nothing more.
Yuraa
Hey GB buddy,
>Are you are the same as all the other rude Immigrants from Iran?
Oh well, what the hell would make you think I am living in your freaking country?
This shows the level of your arrogance my dear GB friend (I am amazed you call your country GB, what a joke)
>You’re just mad because this film shows the internal ugliness
>of some of your people.
No my friend, I am mad because this movie makes a false image of the history, sure there were many leaders in the history of Persia that were monsters, but the way this movie pictures Persians, is the way the Germans used to picture the Jews and the Stalinists used to picture their enemies.
That is the problem I have with this movie.
>Maybe you should look at the way your culture disrespects this country.
>The country that gives you everything your beloved homeland can’t.
Oh well, again into your arrogance my dear, I don’t give a rats ass about your country, specially with a poodle as your leader and his head is so far up in the ass of GwB that it is hard to know where it ends.
You see, you should learn that on internet, there are people from all around the world presented, and your country is not the center of the universe.
>So, ask yourself are you a Monster?
Oh man, a monster with a capital M! That is a big word, yes, I am the one who goes to other countries and kills innocent people, has a 500 years of modern history of rape, torture and destruction. Yes, I am representing a nation who has been kicked out of almost ever country they brutally ruled, but still call it Great Britain! (I assume that, due to your name, your IP address and your way of writing).
Michael,
>You are a piece of shit.
Thanks, coming it from you, I see it as a compliment.
>Xerxes was black. You have been brain watched with many fallacies.
So, basically you are telling me that Xerxes (or as we call him Khashayar shah), son of Daryush who was born in the central Iran, was black?
I think you have to inform the historians and all those who study the people of the world that you found out that the people of central Iran, were black and they magically changed color to what they are now.
I believe they will give you a prize for your discovery.
>Accept the truth. Most history you have learned in school is
>fabricated lie with a specifif agenda.
Accept the truth, those are big words. I remember the first time I heard it it was from my religious teacher who was pissed at me for questioning the stories he was telling me about the Arab invasion of Iran. I really would like to know what your idea of those “specifif” agendas are?
>Dont waste our time with this B.S.
Hey buddy, this is my blog, if you are dumb enough to come here and waste your time reading it, don’t blame me. Go and read someone else’s B.S., those you agree with and enjoy reading.
this movie was amazing, why waste all your time creating this website just because your some pissed off persian?
lol did the movie ever claim to be historically correct? no, you just made yourself look like a complete
idiot with nothing better to do with your time. loser.
PERSIANS SUCK ASSSSSSSSSSSS
the movie 300 was awsume, and entertaining i thought. In the movie, persians get owned..and in history ..persians get owned
it doesnt matter wht they looked like lol although that persian ‘god’ looked hilarious in that golden chain outfit
that made him look like he belonged in a gay club!..but yeah bottom line, persians lose becuase they suck ass
stupid sand n*ggers
canadian_thoughts_23
movie_madness,
haha_shelly_haha,
Why do you use different names to send comments? What are you afraid off?
>why waste all your time creating this website just because your some pissed off persian?
Oh dear, another one of those intelligent ones, I made “this web site” for just this, that is a classic!
>idiot with nothing better to do with your time.
Yeah, I would say the same about you my friend.
>stupid sand n*ggers
Oh dear,
Thanks for nice words my friend, you showed your real intellect.
Why such hate for the Greeks? All you’re doing is putting them down because of the jealousy that eats you up inside… this is a Hollywood made
movie.. stop crying.. they fuck up every base on a true story movie.. You’re such a hater!!! would u like it if people started posting words up like
dirty sand nigger? prob not, so stop trying to put us Greeks down!… Drink some Haterade my friend!!
Hi Jimmy,
I don’t know what you are referring to here? Why on earth would anyone need to be jealous about the greeks? This is a BS from Hollywood, even if it is kind of positive against the greeks, it is nothing more than a cheap propaganda hidden behind special effects to prepare the heart and mind of the people for the incoming attack against Iranians.
>stop crying.. they fuck up every base on a true story movie..
Oh well, I don’t know again where you got the crying part, but I agree with your second piece here.
>You’re such a hater!!! would u like it if people started
> posting words up like dirty sand nigger?
Oh man, I don’t know what or who you are referring to here, but sure I get a lot of love responds from Brits and Americans here.
Bearing in mind that was just a movie with some kool special effects, that being said however I came online specifically to research the actual history of the event covered in this fictional account. I found what I was looking for thanks for the info!
Hey, I really liked the information you had about the real story.
I don’t want to be rude or anything of that nature, but it IS true that Hollyweird fucks up every historically based movie they’ve ever made. Just like any myth - the real thing isn’t quite entertaining enough for the masses, so they spice it up. Frank Miller likes writing stories, he’ s a mythologist (I’m not sure if that’s a word) and he wrote a story based on an idea he had. The Lord of the Rings books were written by a man in World War 2 if I’m correct and it was to represent what he was seeing, just with a very magical and VERY false twist.
And I don’t mean to sound rude - but sure, Aryan doesn’t mean white at all, and the ‘persian messenger’ and Xerxes looked NOTHING like that, they weren’t black, Xerxes WASN’T bald, he wasn’t a 7 foot tall beastie with long black nails that did crazy-ass genetic experiments, making monsters and ninja guys (who had piggy faces underneath those ninja masks) and great big fat executioners with blades instead of arms. None of that ever happened, and the stories about it are exaggerated just as much as the move retelling and the comic book by FM.
And another thing to remember is that just because ‘real’ history says something different, doesn’t mean THAT’S true either. I’m sure you can understand as well as I that those with the power write the history books. Xerxes in the movie said he was going to ‘erase the memory of Sparta from the histories’ because he was the one in power and could simply KILL all those who even spoke of the place. Those in power write history according to themselves. (If you remember Black Slavery in America….all they had was music and oral tradition - most didn’t know how to read and write and so much of their history during that time and even before has truly been lost. We only have stories and songs to relate what may or may not have happened.)
Anyway, my main point is - 300 WAS made for profit, but it was also made to entertain, and I think that it does…I enjoyed it. And as someone who is desirous to go into graphic design and whatnot - I love watching new techniques and how well they work on the screen. The real story is still there, and those that really want to know will find it. Like myself - I was perusing the google search listings for the real story and I’ve found a few interesting sites. Those that don’t really care to know simply…won’t. But they aren’t going to start a religion preaching the truth of the movie 300. Most can tell between fantasy and reality, and those that aren’t are usually locked up before too long…mental hospitals in America are all filling up, I guess.
Well, I’ve been talking for quite a long time and I’d better wrap this up. Anyway, thanks for the informative stuff, sorry you’re offended by Hollywood, and hopefully the world will come back into balance before too long.
-B
haha…
The Jewish people got mad at the passion of the christ for it portraying them in a bad way for killing Jesus. NEWSFLASH, they did kill Jesus. The Persians are mad that they were being portrayed as savages and tyrannical. Well thats exactly what they were. You shouldnt get mad at what happened in the past. Just like all the other empires in history…roman empire, mongolian empire, ottoman empire, and the list goes on.
anyways, its hollywood.
and i happen to enjoy/support/agree with the bias.
haha.
deal with it.
if Im not mistaken,,, Farhad..
Thank you for the historical info that you shared with us here.
Although I must say that you shouldve stayed neutral and unbias rather than repeatedly cryin over spilt milk,,.. I think you caused the negative comments that you are now gettin. But mine in particular is not. I enjoyed the persian point of view of the subject. You didnt exactly debunked the whole greek againsts great odds idea though.. so persian aryan iran fella, you gotta admit the significance of the matter that the underdogs stood on top. Right??? and for everything else…… the worst thing that anyone could get out of a Good Movie (irregardless) is to repeat the same ignorance that is portrayed in battles in our worlds history. its 2007 for fuck sakes…. extremist and radicals and supremists ….
were do you fit in? All should move forward and pay homage of the past, not relive the hate or frustration . History is the blueprint for the vision… Peace to all the crooks,, one love . …….
Light up a phatt won.
i dont really give a f#&k.
fiasco
To shelly and Canadian. If persians are so stupid then why has the city of Beverly Hills put Farsi (that is our language for those stupid american hick-fucks)on the voting ballot. There are so many rich persians in Beverly hills, we clown your dumb asses. We are all Doctors, Lawyers , dentists, etc…. What are you? losers. Funny how our sand nigger parents came here 30 years ago and surpassed your Jerry Springer family asses in one generation so quickly. We are so rich and educated you are low-life scum to us. Go pay child support to your illegitimate children or visit the father(s) of your bastard children. Hahaha. That’s why with all of your technology you and israel are losing the war on terror to “real” warriors who aren’t afraid to die in the face of all of your technology. YOU LOSE AGAIN BITCHES!!!!!!!!
LOOOOL
1. I agree; the Persians were Aryan.
2. The Atlantians, Celts, Indians, Persians, and Egyptians were not of a Negro origin; I find “Afro-Centrist views” to be rather disgusting. Also, I find “black” to be an inaccurate term.
3. The Etruscans were not Semites, but were of Celtic origin.
4. “Europe is the birthplace of communism, liberalism, and democracy, which later spawned the civil rights movements and the global economy. One could continue in this vein for a great deal longer and indeed, it says plenty about Europe’s racial quality. Iran, being of pure and untainted racial character, has not throughout her entire history, suffered from these Western afflictions” — http://www.geocities.com/aryannews/aryantruth.htm
In Latin malus … could indicate the common man as the dark one, especially as the black-haired one, as the pre-Aryan dweller of the Italian soil which distinguished itself most clearly through his colour from blonds who became their masters, namely the Aryan conquering race. … Who can say whether modern democracy, even more modern anarchism and especially that inclination for the “commune”, for the most primitive form of society, which is now shared by all the socialists of Europe, does not signify in the main a tremendous counterattack —and that the conqueror and master race, the Aryan, is not succumbing physiologically, too?” –Friedrich Nietzsche The Genealogy of Morals.
5. I sincerely believe that the world would be a better place without the people-groups which occupy the regions beneath the equator.
I feel really sorry for BILL…..he unfortunately did not receive the true story…..I have scrolled through this page and this is not near the closest we’ve come to the truth of what happened. I don’t appreciate the bias of being “for” one of the sides and claiming THIS is what happened. You are as fucking ignorant as the so called “greek historian” your just supporting the other side. This was a movie. The guy who worked on this also worked on Sin City, what do you expect a fucking Saving Private Ryan!! Last I checked you were not on the battlefield that day…noone for hundred and hundred of years has known what TRULY happened. Its dumb fucks like you sitting in your basement/room claiming to have all these maps and diagrams and numbers elaborating on knowing exactly what happened. Also, those “greek historians” that your describing…..here’s a little secret…….THEY GET PAID TO RESEARCH THIS IN A PROFESSIONAL NON BIAS WAY!! you unfortunately are biased…..CLEARLY! and throwing people off like BILL up there^^^^^^ from a genuine educated GUESS of the historical events. Notice how everyone here is bitching and crying regarding your attitude and depiction of all this. I don’t know why I’m contributing to your page rank right now, it was pisses me off that you would try and ruin the learning experience of all those that saw this movie. Movies play a huge role in our lives and the reason people is going down to your level like “sand nigger” is because you sound ignorant in your writing so they lower to that. If you are going to learn history learn both sides and strive to give a true depiction from both sides. Dont pick pieces from your favorite side and make a collage because this is what you get………a load of people that will not be visiting your site for a second time. I would suggest you see the movie, buy some popcorn, hell even buy some twizzlers and ENJOY what Frank Miller has made. Enjoy his ART!!!!! not his historical documentary. If you want to build a reputable name for yourself, I think you should sever the tie between art and history and change your site a bit.
Fiasco,
I know that this is a movie. But When movies reflect a historical moment, it is important to remember the truth.
This movie, like many similar ones in the 80s have not only the entertainment value, but a hidden message, they are made to make you believe (even in the back of your head) that Persians are monsters.
Adding that, to the stupidity of the IRI, as well as the constant propaganda of the western media about the dictatorship in Iran without comparing it with other countries in the region (like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and many others) you will realize that these “good will” acts, as well as propaganda movies like this one have the same type of message as the Rambo movies in the 80s. It is to prepare for the ultimate conflict and make sure that the young generation of today, will accept the atrocities of the US/UK government in the future conflict.
That is the main issue for me, not the stupid movie itself.
Best regards,
/Farhad
Dear Farhad and other Interested parties,
I would first like to say that I am sorry that so many people have replied to your crticism of the movie with racial slurs, rude comments and otherwise ignorant statements (not all posters fall into this category, but I think they know who they are). I agree with some of the posters that this is just a movie and therefore not historically accurate. I have little doubts that the legend of the 300 spartans has grown less accurate with age. But the story of the 300 spartans is a story about hope and bravery, and thus is going to be a popular story for many ages to come. I am glad you have written a piece about the lack of honesty in the movie, one of the cornerstones of american government is the freedom of speech, and I believe that criticism is a healthy form of expression.
I was actually dissapointed by the portrayal of the persians in the movie for a couple of reasons, 1) the heroic battle and decision to stay and die, would be much less difficult for me if i knew I was fighting against a kingdom of mutants that tortured thier own soldiers and 2) part of what made the story so special for me (the first time I heard it) was that the persians were supposed to be worthy adversaries (the movie touches on this a bit when one of the spartan soldiers tells one of the non-spartan soldiers that he hopes one of the persians will be up to the task of helping him die a beautiful death) Neither of these sentiments were well portrayed in the film, and the end result is a story that not only makes persians look like mutants, but also detracts from the story of the spartans. Knowing that the movie was based on comic books explains alot of the craziness, you know how simple audiences like simple movie tactics like the bad guys always wearing black etc. But in my opinion it was over the top, and unnecessary.
Perhaps the movie has done some good, if it has motivated a few people like me to investigate the true history and to discuss some of this with people like you.
do all of you haters actually think that people walk from this movie with the impression that the persians were actually the way they were portraied in this film? NO! anyone with half a brain would realize that this was a movie and persians were not a bunch of fucking mutants. thats like saying people came out of the lord of the rings thinking there were fucking walking trees and hobbits throwing rings in volcanos. change your underwear and chill out, it was a fucking movie.
Sean,
>NO! anyone with half a brain would realize that this was a movie
>and persians were not a bunch of fucking mutants.
Sadly to say, I believe that a large population of the US are exactly what you are saying my friend.
>do all of you haters
Hating what? The Nazi kind of propaganda of the modification of history into a cartoon show?
This is something that most of you Americans do not understand, it is about national pride, iranians, as well as Greeks, hate this movie, because it is a destruction of history and a cheap hidden propaganda ploy.
I had no problem with movies like Conan and Lord Of the Ring, they were fiction, nothing special about them. But this movie is like the Rambo or Rockey movies, but much more sophisticated than those cheap shit stories we saw in the 80s about the heroic Americans winning over Russians. This one, is a psychological propaganda to make Persians look like Al-Qaida warriors, mutants, sick blood thirsty bastards wearing speedos.
Yes, it was a fucking movie, but it was just like those made by the German Nazi’s in the 30s, if you are dumb enough not to see it, it is your poble my dear.
You got problems dude…! I never thought someone would get so mad over a movie…or maybe it isn’t the the movie that got you mad, but just the main FACT that your people got their ASS handed to them and everybody from now,& all the way back to when that battle took place feels and says the same way. So I really dont care to much for your culture either so I wont sit here & try to find a millon reasons why I dont like you. I already have 1. This article. See it doesnt matter if a persian is black,white or any other color. Cause the main point the movie is trying to make, is that you,your culture,your people who ever or whatever it is that you want to call them..GOT THEIR ASS KICKED BY ONLY 300 SPARTANS AND A BUNCH OF OTHER LAMES. So get over it and stop acting like a female. Cause when you write stupid sh**t like you do ….all your doing is proving what the movie says about your people. That your weak-minded and STUPID!
I thought the movie was fun to watch…I enjoyed your article on the
But I agree that you
history of the event as you know it. I have also enjoyed reading other
articles on the subject. Don’t let fiction upset you. There are very
few movies out there that stick to reality.
should be as proud of your heritage as I am mine.
“Every man’s life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with,
and the future is uncertain.”
— Marcus Aelius Aurelius
Caesar. You are a funny guy. This story is a mythological one. Anyone with 3 brain cells knows that. The only reason people like you enjoy this movie so much is because you are getting your asses kicked in the middle east right now! What is not myth that we can see today is the wealth and education of persians in America. Americans are beaten by Indians (from India), Asians and middle easterners in every way. “White” males are border-line retards now. Even in the middle east, the weak-minded are not us, it is the USA and Israeli invaders that have been stopped in their tracks since 1948 no matter what the odds. Unless you are a hee-haw hick, you should finally admit that you have lost in the middle east. Lost. Over. Bye, Bye!! My point in all this in relation to this movie is that it is a myth made by jews who want to start a war with Iran. Your troops are getting owned by Iraqi’s every day. Totally Owned and humiliated. That is not mythology that cnnot be proven either way. That is going on today so we know it’s true.
Umm….First of all, this is a movie, and you complain about bias…you are the most biased person I have heard of in a long time. Secondly, you talk so much about how the persians were great, blah blah blah…strong and mightly. Even if you forget about the greeks portrayed in the movie 300 owning the persians, do you forget about Alexander DESTROYING the persians less than 200 years later…or, am I just spitting propganda as you seem to be doing? Uneducated, biased excuse for a proud persian that you are…
People people people, you are letting a graphic novel based movie create all of this hatred? Please use reason, its things like this that divide us. This movie was great, as a means of entertainment, and that was it, the dialog was funny and I use some of the quotes. My friends, let us not fall to the hate machine and begin to build walls between, haven’t we had enough walls? Think as independent people, and not a part of a regime out to get people. In history all cultures waged wars, some had victory and some didn’t but thats the past. We a a new generation shouldn’t dwell on the past and look forward to creating a better future for our kids, Hate doesn’t dissolve on its own, we the people have to dilute it. So please lets not point fingers, remeber when you point your finger, there is three pointing back at you! One Love
Thank you!!!! Enough said
The individuals that use such ignorant words show their true intellect. One day when they are on welfare or in their broke down homes, they will come and ask us for loans or help their sick children. We will help them and they will remember that they called not only Persians sand n*ggas but they are saying that to everyone that embrase people of different races. Stupidity stunts ones growth to become a succesful human being…….oh well, you stupid hicks aren’t even paying any attention probbably having sex with your disease infested sibiling….LOL. Hey I’m not persian or greek but stupid people should be shot in the head and thrown to sea. Then maybe the space on this page wouldn’t be wasted on name calling. Thank you for reading
Alex Cross
Remember the name
Voltron. I don’t have anything against you, but rather against the arrogant western world who think they are so great and with the help of Jews, spread lies. The problem that exists is the double standard. For example, if in the movie, Greeks are portrayed as valient by going to war “agaisnt the odds” and whether they win or lose, they are seen as brave wonderful people, how come the same logic cannot be afforded to others in the world. The US and Israel overpower all others yet the defenders of their land fight and die just as the “sparetans” did, with no fear or apprehension for dying (is that propaganda?) , but they are still seen as stupid and weak. You simply are arrogant and that is why your people are getting beaten, that is why Isreal still hasn’t gotten either of the solders back and this is why 3,000 hezbollah solders withstood 30 days of superior technology and an israeli army of over 100,000. The result OBJECTIVE FAILURE! By the way, today, Iran is just as well off as Greese if not better. After all Iran is almost nuclear.
Greece rather.
Farhad,
I was very disappointed after watching the movie 300. Like you I am proud in my heritage and culture: I am an Arcadian. I agree that the Persians were more sophisticated than portrayed in the movie and that they were not “monsters” as they seemed in the film. The Spartan king even indirectly pokes fun at the people representing my ancestors even though they showed up to the pass to fight and were Greek. My point is yes the movie was made to entertain and nothing else. Please don’t disrespect the Greeks and say we are liars and uncivilized. It is impossible to deny the honor and bravery exhibited by the Greek forces that defended the pass of Thermopylae and ultimately it is impossible to say the Greeks did not eventually defeat Persia in the ancient era. Also, the Spartans were a warrior race and were extremely strong and efficient in the phalanx formation. The strength of the phalanx(tactically) and the pass being narrow both influenced the Greeks’ ability to adequately defend the pass. So basically what I’m trying to say is Both cultures influenced and molded the world, in some ways, into what it is today and that is where this argument should end. People should not have insulted you the way they did and I would appreciate it if you and others would not insult my ancestors. The Greeks are not the enemies of the modern Persian people and don’t make us out to be that way. Your information, when not filled with insults towards the Greeks, was very accurate.
Vasilios Theodosopoulos
i wanna say this for the persians- IT’S JUST BASED ON A COMIC BOOK SO FORGET ABOUT THE MOVIE.. THEY HAD TO PUT SOME EXTRA SCENES IN THE MOVIE IN ORDER TO SELL IT..
this is for the americans- STOP PROVOKING THE PERSIANS CUZ I KNOW YOU WOULD HAVE DEFENDED YOURSELF IT THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO YOU..
PEACE GUYS.. TAKE CARE
Hey Vasilios, Finally someone else who doesn’t want to just hate an someone else. Thanks for a great post from another perspective. I have always been inspired by the story for the 300 Spartans. I thought the movie didn’t really live up to the legend
I watched the history channel special of the spartans it was awesome 
Will
hey you dumb fucks who bash movies….this is a …hold on…..MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not a fucking history lesson get a life and stop crying about how you think the whole world is against you because you aren’t white….
Hi,
After reading all the above posts and the facts of the owner of this BS. I would like to give
suggestion to him. That, there is already so much of hatred prevailing in this world, please do not use this movie to spread more. Hatred begets only hatred. This movie was the depiction of the virtues of the man, which is still endorsed by every person they are honour, self esteem..
This movie truly depicts them. whether you agree or not these spartans were great warriors…, and the movie depicted that only…
I think the persians were now where portrayed as monsters. The unusual beasts are just meant for adding the spices.
As far as the asian culter is concerned it is not weak, and neither monsters, they also cherished the ideals of humanity in much better way then the western counterparts..
If there is any historical proof or any exacavation… ,
please do write about it…
Dustin,
Why is that almost all comments from New Jersey to this blog are like the one of yours?
>hey you dumb fucks who bash movies….this is a …hold on…..MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>not a fucking history lesson get a life and stop crying about how you
>think the whole world is against you because you aren’t white….
Oh man, do you even know where Iran is or where the Persian empire was? God. You remind me of a woman I met in Florida some times ago who wanted to know in which state Sweden was, after I told her I was living in Sweden!
Vasilios,
I apologize if you found the text offending. As I said, I do not share the extremist views of the people of the site I grabbed the text from, but put the text for it’s historical value only.
It’s fucking cunts like you that ruin everything. IT’S A GOD DAMN FUCKING MOVIE!!!! IS YOUR FUCKING TURBAN ON TOO TIGHT? God damn it, and tell this to your other Iran buddies, TAKE A GOD DAMN BATH. Don’t be mad because 300 Spartans Kicked your fucking army’s slave ass. FUCK YOU FARHAD.
JIHAD!
Hi
did you know that 300 is based off of a graphic novel called… “300″
and did you know that it is fiction based on history
do you know what fiction is?
if not, you should look it up.
bye
Hi Nick,
Here comes another intellectual from the land of the free!
>It’s fucking cunts like you that ruin everything.
Really? Are you going to blame the mess in Iraq on me too?
>FUCK YOU FARHAD.
>JIHAD!
Oh dear, is it the world of an American Taliban?
You are very welcome, my dear. I hope you enjoyed spending your time here!
/Farhad
Jason6,
Again, this is not about the historical accuracy of this fiction. But this is about portraying folk as monsters and creating a false image of Persians and Iranians in a way that the Nazis did with the Jews.
If you know any German who lived in that time, you can ask them and they will tell you that they all loved the Jewish cartoons, the jokes, the tales and roumers. It was in everyones mind that the Jews were evil and they “historically” used chiristian childrens’s blood for their ceremonies etc.
If you read the article of Dr. Kaveh Farrokh you understand the reason most of us are angry at this movie:
> Grossing over 70 million dollars in its first week of release, the
>movie “300″ is set to crash into the list of highest grossing
> Hollywood blockbusters. Its strong opening is a clear indicator of its
>success with the North American and by implication, European
>audiences. Although this picture is based on a graphic novel it is
>already> being portrayed as a “historical” movie, and will be
>perceived as such by many (less discerning) viewers. More significant
>however, are the conclusions that are being derived from this picture.
Best regards,
/Farhad
From Nik,
I am a Spartan.
Could it not be said metaphorically speaking that the Persian (military super power) of our time is today the American? And that today it is the Iraqi,Iranian etc. that fights to defend his people from that super power?
Yet insted of appreciating the Greeks for the way they stood against the overwhelming enemy of their time (as you try to do now against the american),you disrespect the Greeks.
This movie is not about history (although it uses it to get it’s point across) that no military power no matter how great can conquere the spirit of man who fights to defend his mother, father,sister,brother,his son,daughter his people and his country against tyrany and oppression.The Greeks are not your enemy and you would do well to remember this Farhad.Learn what it means to be magnanimous.
Being an amateur student of history, I understand your irritation with this movie. It is indeed utter crap. But, what else can you expect from Hollywood? Myself, I’ll not spend the $3 to rent it.
As for the Greek historians claiming a Persian army of a million or more, that was simply impossible in those days. The logistics of supporting such a force were beyond the abilities of those times.
I can also understand why you think this is a very anti-Iranian movie, for IMO it is, intentionally or not.
As for the depiction of Xerxes in “300″, that looks to me like some homosexual Hollywood fantasy, and I can’t for the life of me understand why he was so depicted. It’s irrational. Unreal. Totally false.
That said, the fact remains the Greeks did in fact beat off a Persian army of about 200,000, or perhaps 250,000. And 1,700 or so Greeks did die heroically at Thermopylae, thus giving time for the rest of Greece to organize. As for Platea, the Greeks won that battle almost by accident, as it were. But Salamis was, IMO, a prime example of military genius. Truly impressive.
One of the major reasons the Spartans et. al. were able to hold out so long at Thermopylae was that they were heavy infantry, hoplites, who were much better armored than the Persians. Thus, they could take blows undamaged, blows which killed the Persian infantry. Just better equipment, that’s all.
All in all, I consider “300″ to be completely Hollywood garbage, and not to be taken seriously. Alas, all too many will accept this as a depiction of reality. How sad.
As for me, I have nothing at all against the Iranian and Persian folk. But, as you have problems with my government, I too have difficulties with yours - especially Ahmadenijad, whom I consider a lunatic.
Really, in the last analysis, I both respect the Iranian people, their history of civilization, and their struggle to survive in a part of this planet which has always been quite dangerous.
Hopefully, both our governments will attain some semblance of sanity and at the least not attack one another. But I won’t hold my breath. Seems to me this entire planet has gone crazy.
Anyway, good luck; you’ll need it. But, at least the Mongols are not coming again! What a disaster for civilization they were!
Take the chip of your shoulder.
Why do people like you wait to be offended.
Its paranoid ramblings like this that make the rest of CIVILSED world dislike you!
You are jealous of the Western World.
I saw the movie tonight, thought it was awesome. Although I really liked this movie, I can easily understand that it in no way dipicted the true facts of what was believed to have happened.
I came to this blog to read Farhad’s opinion of the film and his comparison of what he believes to have happened. What I do not understand is why people feel the need to attack Farhad with their racial intolerence because of his opinions. The Greeks were fighting for their freedom, iraq is fighting for its freedom, we Brits in WWII fought for our eventual freedom and for the freedom of the rest of Europe. I think that there has been enough bloodshed in the name of freedom to give Farhed enough of this freedom to air his opinion.
Even if we gather information from many different sources we will still never be totaly clear about what happened. We could argue about these things until we are blue in the faces, but thats no good for anybody. What we do have to do though is embrace peoples different points of view and opinons and try to learn from those to help us build a bigger picture. Without knowing what happened, none of us can be right and none of us can be wrong. We are all on an equal plaine on this subject, as we are in anyhing regardless of colour or religion.
Please everybody forgive me for my poor spelling and grammer.
lighten up. Anybody who is pissed of by an overexaggerated fire side story book (Herodotus, the Histories, is not and will never be considered accurate history) written two and a half thousand years ago about an event that took place two and a half thousand years ago, and that then had an intentionally overexaggerated comic strip written based on that story two and a half tousand years later, that then had a film based on that comic strip made is a bit of a penus in my book. Hopefully the above paragraph will help you realise that. After all I overexaggerate everytime i’ve played a good rugby match/caught a big fish e.t.c and i’m sure you all do the same in your own hobbies.
Its a story and a legend, and a damn good one at that, but that’s all it is, we all know that. The film is good fun, and that’s all it’s intended to be. I’m english for gods sake, I know a thing or two about being the bad guy in american films! But you don’t see me pissed off all over the internet every time I watch Braveheart or the last of the Mohicans e.t.c.
YOUR BEING PATHETIC….GET A LIFE.
battle of thermopylae and not “hot gates” is a real battle.leonidas was the leader of all greek troops.a lot of greek-cities choose to withdraw cause of the troops disadvantage.greeks had almost 6000 men against nearly 100000 persians.300 spartans and 700 thespien fight bravely to the death…also 1000 slaves from spartan.of course persian had a great culture and they were not monsters as the film shows….it was a high educated empire.spartans were war maschines!!!!from the age of 7 to 20 they learnt how to fight and survive.it is true that they were fearless.this is the reason xerxes didnt want to fight but compromise with them.i suggested all the film fans to buy a book about thermopylae battle…sorry for my terrible english
thanks for posting this up. the movie sucked anyway.
Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern
300 presents a dual clash of civilizations. An action adventure that pits thousands of Persians against 300 brave Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae, it also pits millions of fans of brainless violence against a gallant band, or so I choose to think of us, who still expect movies to contain detectable traces of humanity.
Here’s a great resource to separate the 300 fact from the fiction, plus more photos:
http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/300spartans.php
thanks for the info farhad.
thanks for the info
you riped on the movies real hard
peace of freindly advice
dont rip on them so hard it makes people mad
but i liked thr info
thanks
As for the movie portraying the Persians as the evil bad guy, welcome to history. History is always portrayed in polarized views, and usually those vies are contradictory based on which country/cultural group you learned from. History is written by the winners, in general, and they always portray their opponent as the big bad ugly. It makes everything more palatable that way. I am sure your own history is just as biased as Greek, American, British, German, Cuban and every other national/ethnic history on the planet. Get used to it.
The movie was just that, a movie. It was a stylized representation of a very amazing battle in history. It was never advertized as ‘historical’, ‘factual’, or ‘educational’ in any way. It was advertized as a movie based on a graphic novel that fantasized/dramatized that time in history. For you to get so bent out of shape about an artistic endeavor is petulant, childish, and down right silly. It would be like saying Batman is an affront to American culture because it is a polarized fantasy view of good vs. evil.
It’s artistic, it’s entertaining, it’s gods, guts, glory and lots of fun. The cinematography and integration of computer generated/animated art with film was wonderfully done. I personally don’t give a damn about the skin color of any particular individual in history. For all I care Xerxes could’ve been hot pink with purple polka dots and the Greeks could’ve been neon orange. It’s still an amazing battle that is extremely easy and fun to dramatize and make mythical and epic.
Greeks don’t fight like heroes. Heroes fight like Greeks.
Winston Churchill said that. You’re just a hater, upset at the way Persians were depicted in this film .. who gives a shit? It’s a film. Nobody is being brainwashed, they’re just enjoying a film.
Mythical Greek garbage? Haha. No one has history like the Greeks. No one has culture like the Greeks. You are an ignorant man.
Nico,
I really wonder why all the trash comments come from Holland or New Jersey in the US?
/Farhad
i like lamp
… and 300!
nuff with the racial b.s guys like fuckdamn, good action scenes, stupid looking monsters (fucking crab man?? wtf)
and no secret messages dude, get over it, except maybe go buy the comic.
Peace all, and dont come to Canada some of u hick-fucks, we enjoy multiculturalism.
Frank Miller’s tale is a comick book adaption! Comick books need beast, monsters, heroes and villians! Everyone loves rooting for the underdog, so of course in his COMIC retelling of the story the larger force of Persians would be the evil-doers with a horde of creatures and evil masks! I can empathise with your frustration on the subject but you need to lighten up, the last comic book i read with my people in it (IRISH) had celtic warriors transforming into giants and eating their enemies ! hahaha…come on man, its a bit of fun!
the way you’re so pissed off only tells us one thing which is
persians are stupid shit ass sucker, and spartans are the true warriors
maybe you need to get a life dude, writing this whole thing just because you want to tell the truth? does the movie even show the sentence “based on the true story” ?
you need to get a life just like your people, or..
just go back to your mom and fuck her, last time i did her she’s doing just fine…just fine…
Whoa,
what is wrong with you people? Why do you get so offended if someone does not share the same bizarre view of the world and has a brain and can think?
What is this sick behavior? Man, you are the great examples of the western civilizations superiority. Your words shows (the same way the action of your heroes in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Guantanamo does), how wonderful you are.
I don’t think we need to make us stories about our current time for future generations, the way you guys are, the sad state of this world and the way you talk, shows it perfectly.
farhad you are such a duetche bag! every one already knows 300 is not historically acurate. if we
had to make every movie about history accurate down to the last detail they would be so boring no
one would watch.
Oh my dear,
Another US military personnel hiding behind an Arab name.
Mr. aka Muhammad Al Salim,
Why do you have to hide your name behind an arab name if you do not have have anything to hide?
Don’t you know that people on internet can see you are accessing this site from “CDR U.S. ARMY Garrison, Bldg. 1150, Vail Hall, Ave of Memories, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey“?
I am sure you and your supervisors are very happy to see the history being changed the way it is beneficial for your future military plans. But for us, who are on the “receiving” side of your propaganda and our relatives will be the victims of your future wars, these propagandas are nothing but clearing the way to de-humanize the Iranians and preparing for an attack to destroy the country in the name of removing the treat of crazy monkey Ahmadinejad and his stupid followers.
So, please keep your crap for your buddies and don’t waste your time hiding behind the arab name.
/Farhad
People are so angry because you trash their hollywood action movie that glorifies the western nations and makes eastern nations look like bastards. Good job!
Im sick and tired of this kind of historical raping that happens all the time in hollywood. How can I watch any historical anymore without questioning it’s accuracy (also WW2, vietnam etc. movies)?
If people cannot enjoy or understand a movie without the black/white character settings (ultimate good versus ultimate bad) then let them enjoy it. But let us history lovers not eat this bullshit anymore.
Thanks
Farhad -
awesome of you to post a pile of good info, along with some excellent insights. I’m sorry to see that you have a strong personal bias, but that’s under the bridge. above poster: why would one even read history, science, literature, the news, or anything without considering the bias? the fact that the movie is fiction is irrelevant, because facts only count if they are used. miguel above makes an excellent point. farhad, you obviously know your history, and i think if we as americans were to see a movie where George Washington had nose rings and a speedo we’d be a touch pissed, which is why i completely forgive your bias. I’m sorry that America has taken on the appearance of a jumble of sex/violence crazed idiots, and you’re not the only one that thinks so. Of course, just as iranis are not extremists, americans are not idiots. Both assessments may/may not be true, but we both need to take a close look at who it is telling us.
I can’t consider the movie propaganda per se, since it is independently made, but it certainly serves the purpose. your reference to rocky and rambo is on the money. It is also useful to note, for everyone, not just to prove a point to you, that there is similar activity in any culture. middle eastern cinema and music often have parallel effects. A top song i read about on al jazeera a couple years back was called “I hate america.” Again, my apologies, I’m not trying to lump iranis and arabs.
In this country, given our history and founding documents, it should be tantamount to sin to let something like 300 be released without those in an educated position decrying it for what it is, whether it pretends to be real or not.
I have to take offense with you that you responded to an inciteful film with inciteful language. Every “rectum,” “redneck,” and “illiterate” in your comments is a step further between us, whether we have earned the slights or not. to the posters on this wall, some folks don’t learn English first, adjust. some folks aren’t american, whatever. who’s the more foolish, the fool who writes the history or the fool who believes it?
dude, i totally missed the disclaimer at the top of the page. It seems you did not write all this business. Now then: thanks for posting! good info, thick bias, as you said. Do i read into your last wall post that you are unsatisfied with the current ruling party in iran? if so, that is the kind of thing we in america need to hear, in addition to debunks of crappy (though entertaining) hollywood histories. We have this image over here that iranis are all very staunch supporters of Ahmedinejad, and that’s pretty scary. Some of us can see that just as not everyone here thinks GWB is the best thing since sliced bread, not everyone in iran is a huge ahmedinejad fan. seeing that lack of following, that common ability to dissagree and dissent and have your own opinion could do volumes for our two peoples, in both directions. again, thanks for posting. too bad it’s such a firebreathing source.
Farhad,
I agree with the article that you copied here (I feel the same way about Braveheart sometimes, but I love that movie because I’m mostly Scottish), except for the utter biasness of it. But I believe that everyone has a right to their opinion, and as someone who will be going into the American armed forces in a few years, I would gladly defend that right.
I’m disappointed that you have a large misconception of Americans and American soldiers.
Two simple facts:
1)It is a known fact that America has some of the best Universities in the world.
Surely not all Iranians are doctors and lawyers, are they? But I am sure that Iranians do posess a good education.
2)It is a known fact that America provides people with freedoms and opportunities that are unavailable in most parts of the world.
Why is it that many Iranians are afraid to speak out against their government except when they’re in a country like America?
I won’t continue the comparisons because I don’t believe that it’s nessesary
It saddens me that you believe all Americans are against Iran and that we’re “out to get you.” Some of my best friends are Muslims (one is Iranian). Hell, I even had a huge crush on an Iranian girl once (her name was Ghazaal). Middle-Eastern culture and history intrests me greatly, as it does with many other Americans, and I’m studying Arabic at my University (I know that Arabic isn’t the main language of Iran, but the script is pretty much the same).
As the son of a soldier, I know that the last person that wants to go to war is a soldier When my father was in Iraq, he recieved a Koran (sp?) from an Iraqi friend. On the inside of the cover, the Iraqi wrote:
“For Rick
The best friend I have ever had.”
The same man was later shot and killed by an insurgent as he walked down a patrol path used by American soldiers.
My dad hasn’t been the same since.
I kid you not.
There are Muslims in the American Armed Forces, so Muhammed Al-Salim could be an Arab, or descended from Arabs. It is not prudent to make assumptions like you did. It’s not only rude, it makes you the one who sounds ignorant.
I know that if both Americans and Iranians keep open minds, then we can learn from each other in positive ways. I do want that to happen. I desire for peace and prosperity between our two nations.
I have a message for my fellow Americans and Brits:
We should be the ones setting the example here. We should be allowing everyone to speak his or her mind, because that is what we stand for. I realize that it was probably either an American or a Brit that threw the first mud here.
I’m not against America in any way, I believe that we have a great country.
The article was interesting. I’m just disappointed that this became an East vs West discussion.
Best wishes to all,
Collin
Hi Colin,
thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I really appreciate it.
First of all, I have no problem with Americans, my wife is American, I lived and worked in the US and have a lot of friends out there as well as a large number of family members and relatives living there, having said that, I have a lot of problem with the US foreign policy. The hypocracy and double standard they are promoting and acting upon.
I see this movie as a psy-op operation to prepare the mind of ordinary Americans to make Persians and Iranians as savages. You may disagree with it, but the history has shown that these kind of hidden agenda has been helping fascists stated though out history to prepare for the mass-slauter of innocent “enemies” in the name of “cleansing” pr “educating” or “civilizing” them. The new word used these days seems to be “democracy” and “freedom” but it is the same shit with different packaging and marketing.
I am glad you have a lot of “muslim” friends. But I realyl have problem with people who lable others based on their religion. I really do not understand why people refer to Iranians, Afghanis, Marrocans, Saudis etc. Fro Arabs rather than their nationality. Do you call your German friend or Italian friend for Christians or Jewish? No, so why do you do this to your “muslim” friends? What makes it so special to label a person based on their religion rather than their nationality?
The other point you bring here is about the US troops. I do nto have problem with the American defense forces or their personel. But when US defense means that they give themselves the right to bomb and attack countries 6-7000 miles away from their countries based on lies, then I have problem with it. US army is not like armies in many other countries, it is not a defense force and it is not a national army that is representative of all the population that has a draft, it is a voluntery based army where people choose to be part of it, and when those who do this (for various reasons) commit a crime, and the whole army and the vast majority of the soldiers and officers try to cover it up, then it means that the whole system and most members of it are compliant to that crime. It is like if you see and help your brother killing some innocent people just because someone gave him a flat tire in that neighborhood and then claim that you are innocent.
I highly respect those who stand for truth and honesty, those soldiers and officers who stand against the rutten system and pay the ultimate price like Officer Watada and others who refuse to participate in an illegal and immoral war.
This war is not about east-west, it is about fascism PERIOD. This is the same war that Hitler fought to promote the superiority of the German race, the same war the British empire fought against the savages of Africa, Asia and the rest of the world and it is the same war early settlers in America fought against innocent locals. This is a colonial war fought in foreign land and supported by people who do not want to can not believe they are being used in a plan to dominate the world by a small group of greedy and immoral bastards in your country and many other parts of the world.
Fighting dictators like IRI, Taliban and Saddam does not automatically makes you a JUST warrior. An unjust, illegal and immoral war can not be forgotten and anyone helping it and participating in it is part of this crime, weather they like it or not.
Best regards,
/Farhad
Farhad, I loved what you wrote about the movie.
It’s the first thing i noticed when i watched the movie.I wish i didnt, because it was a total waste of time, but anyway, it was intended to be…entertaining (although some parts are really..off), but at the same time, is a bit of a (or a lot of a )propaganda too.
I’m amazed at how some who posted here could be so ignorant, despite the fact that they might have the best colleges in the world.
(just so you know, I’m not from america, and i’m not a persian. I have nothing against Americans, or persians, or whatever. Infact, one of those who agrees with Fahrad’s, and my opinion, is my history teacher, an American who is highly educated in HISTORY.)
Ps: i liked what will, eric, and vasilios said =D
and at Kenneth Johnson (nothing to do with this whole article), I’m half Mongol =D, and i’m proud of my (half) ancestor’s influence on the world (once), There’s different versions of what they did, and i believe there were good deeds, as well as bad ones. In my mind, they are heroes…even though the mongols now have too less people to build a powerful country…
300 is an adaption of a graphic novel (a comic), and is not intended to be historically accurate.
It is about emotion and the training/determination and heroic qualities of free men defending their own land/way of life against tyranny (even in facing overwhelming odds).
Eh, the movie wasn’t that great. I was told it was great, so I watched it and wondered why were the spartans naked, and why were the persians a bunch of mutants?
Everything was wrong, right down to the swords the Spartans used. I think the movie could have done well with proper historical accuracy in any case, because its a well known and commonly visited theme of a small band of holdouts against an impossibly large enemy. The real spartan hoplites were fearsome in their own right, and it would have been nice to see some historical accuracy. My brain shut of when they started adding chained mutants, a 9 foot tall bald gypsy xerxes with piercings and bad eyebrow pencil, and of course the horribly mutated immortals.
Bo-ring.
So the persians won, boo hoo. You anti-iranian hacks would be happy to know that the Mongols pretty much wiped out persia in the 12th century. I hope that sates your blood lust for awhile.
While what you are saying is completly true, the director of the film ‘300′, and Frank Miller both acknowledge that they have fictionalised the story of the Spartans to make it more appealing to the modren market. In the extended version of the DVD, they both say that is not intended to be historically accurate by any means. They even go as far as saying that this film is meant to be a of glory, determination, and most of all blood to appeal to the target audience. They distort the history into a story because that is where the profit lies. History suffers as a result, and idiots will say that it is historically accurate, however at least they know something they did not know before; that the Greeks did stand up to the Persians, and they will know that although they were defeated at Thermopylae, they went on to win the war.
ok first off, dud eget fucking life, of course hollywood is going to use it for entertainment purposes, an second ok the persians or u like to cal aryans did win that battle but the effect of that battle increased greeks morale, and im tired of bunch of you snad niggers thinking u were like the fucking cradle of civilization
ok this has gone on long enough, im not disrespectful to other cultures im just saying what people already think,
im talking about the povengers of hate, the sword wielding sand people, the obssesers of mohamed, the middle eastern muslims
After attacks in america, great britain, Spain and many other countries, we were told theses were the works of radical muslim extremists and not of the REAL peaceful respecful muslim religion….yea right lol, saying muslims aren’t extremist is like saying mormans arent annoying
they take everything to the extreme…. i mean seriously do they have to drive all the taxi’s and do they have to own all the 7/11’s lol and thousands of muslim all over the world are getting pissed off at a cartoons of their prophet mohmed… jesus christ, i dont see any christians being pissed off when ever jesus is shown on south park or family guy.
apparently muslims dont like it when u make fun of their god mohamed, accordingly to the religion u cant draw mohamed not to mention draw a cartoon
a cartoon first aired in sweden, first they cried about it, then they prayed about it AND than the do what they fo best….hahaha break stuff, any excuse to burn flags, stone people,bomb U.S. embassies and fire guns.
CNN wont even show these cartoons out of respect….right….pussies, some how a carton can make muslims want to drop a jihad or kill a jew
new york post wont eigther…afraid of another attack are we? x( what next CNN? are u going to cover up the faces of ur women or just fire them all.
But america is about freedom of the press right? wrong. but when american towers collaspe, great britains trains explode and when spains trains fall we get to make fun of muslims spiritual leader
so muslims dont want anymore cartoons…heres an idea STOP bombing shit!!!
haha like hiroshma keep crying muslims in the middle east and we well give u something to cry about
Dude, first of all, try to spell your name right! Then, what the hell has this anything to do with the muslims or cartoons?
I think your BS is an answer to yourself. You are an excellent example of what is wrong with America these days.
Go and read the damn article before writing such nonsense DUDE!
OH, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MOTHERS AND FATHERS ,OF THE FREE
WESTERN WORLD. IF MY ANCESTORS DID NOT DIE AT THE THERMOPYLAE
WE WOULD BE UNDER SLAVERY, … TAKE A MOMENT AND EXAMINE IRANIAN LAWS….WOMEN RIGHTS… FREE WILL ..
PERSIANS (today’s Iranians) or any other foreign invaders
MELON LAVE
A SON OF SPARTA
Oh dear,
who is afraid of using his real name or e-mail address!
Another brave son of Sparta
Yeah, Persia has been the source of evil in t he past 2500 years, the proof is the idiots in charge of t eh government today! That is an excellent logic from the soldiers of freedom US of A.
/Farhad
PS. YOu are as much son of Sparta that I am Italian buddy.
This movie (300) is probably the only time many Americans have ever even heard of the Persian empire. They don’t exactly teach a that stuff in schools over here, y’know. Or the fact that most of Europe was inhabited by grunting barbarians at the time. So I can see why you may be irritated that Xerxes is portrayed as an effeminate, 8 foot tall, speedo wearing, black dude with face rings.
But ninjas, like humanoid monsters, are really cool and therefore will probably be associated with the Persian empire in the minds of millions of Americans henceforth!
even though one might argue that 300 was just a movie… it is still apparent from the replies how inferior and stupid the intelligence of an average viewer of the movie is… i have no special liking of either of your ethnicities,the author makes a valid point. though your postings is a bit rash.. kinda like a literary anthesis to the movie… i think however that is necessary to bring light to many.. bravo to the research that you did.
loved your article. this latest hollywood garbage is yet from the long list of western attack on persian identity. we the true people of the aryan race today have a huge responsibilitys. to continue our way of life,our civilization is to teach our kids the real history.like you i’m disgusted not to mantion outraged! i’m making a t-shirt reads 300=pedophiles.long live the aryans=persians=iranians.thank you and god bless.
if westerners base their so called sivilizations on greek then by far then god bless us all! i always wonder if anglo-saxons- British had place like persopolis. do you think they would be interested on some mombo jombo greek fabricated tailes?
[...] read more | digg story [...]