King Leonidas and The 300 Spartans of Thermopylae

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #6: The Top 10 Scenes of Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in '300'

2012-02-09T03:00:00.000-05:00

The five-year anniversary of the release of '300' is rapidly approaching and it had me thinking the other day, has it really been that long since the movie debuted on March 9, 2007? You betcha! It almost seems as if it were yesterday (well, to me at least) when Warner Bros. announced that production would commence, followed shortly thereafter by reading about several of the possible candidates for the role of King Leonidas. It's unbelievable how quickly time has flown, and here we are on the verge of hearing more from Warner Bros. about the Legendary Pictures followup to '300' entitled '300: The Battle of Artemisium'.

Having seen 20th Century Fox's 'The 300 Spartans' as a kid, to say that the original version of the Battle of Thermopylae had a huge impact on me would be an understatement, but I digress. The bottom line was, the story of the defense at the 'Hot Gates' was too good to limit to only one interpretation. One of the benefits of viewing the 1962 version more times than anyone would care to admit, was understanding even at an early age that Richard Egan's performance as the Spartan king was pivotal to the film. In retrospect, after having viewed this film repeatedly, I've realized that Egan represented one of the iconic figures in Greece's history and that it was much more than a role that he was portraying. When you're six, you can't comprehend concepts like these, however, decades later, you feel you have a greater appreciation of the character's significance, not only to the movie, or to Greece's history, but perhaps to western civilization as well. Now that might sound pretentious to some people, nonetheless, to others who share an affinity for 'The 300 Spartans', they may agree with the same sentiment...then again, who knows, maybe they don't.

Irrespective of how you feel now after having viewed '300', I for one was very ambivalent when the media announced that Scotsman Gerard (Gerry) Butler would portray one of Sparta's finest. Butler had pretty big ~~shoes~~ sandals to fill and not being familiar with any of his previous roles, I didn't know if he was the right actor to play King Leonidas. He definitely had the right look about him, however, did he have the acting chops? This question had more to do because of my unfamiliarity with Butler's performances, not as a result of any of the movies that he appeared in.

'300's King Leonidas, Gerard (Gerry) Butler

After I was forwarded a copy of 'Dear Frankie' by Tamara H. (many thanks!), I've got to tell you I was more than pleasantly surprised. You're probably thinking, 'Dear Frankie' sounds like a movie which was designed to appeal to a target audience which consists of primarily women - okay, chick flick - for those who recognize the genre by its politically incorrect moniker. The end result was that it really didn't matter how this movie was labeled because Butler, while appearing gruff on the exterior and brewing with intensity, had a side to him that his ubiquitous leather coat couldn't cover. It was his display of a wide emotional range, where you said to yourself, "You know what, I think Gerry is going to be okay" - and he was... in fact, he was more than okay!

Since the five-year anniversary of '300' is upon us, let's take a step back to 480 BC and list the ten best scenes of Gerry Butler (GB) as King Leonidas, the majority of which may seem obvious, while the others not necessarily so.

10. After the initial skirmish, when the remaining Persians from the first assault are pushed off the cliff, Butler looks over and advances a little towards the enemy and in an act of sheer defiance uses his spear to break off the arrows which have pierced his shield. - Nothing said, not even a monosyllabic grunt, but sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

9. To quote GB, "This is where we hold them, this is where we fight!" Slamming his spear into the ground for emphasis, he then proclaims..."This is where they die!" - Have there been better pre-battle speeches in the movies? I can think of several, however, for sheer bravado, this ranks up there.

8. GB: "This is Sparta!!!"...what follows is probably one of the more memorable scenes in '300' when the Persian messengers are kicked in the well after Leonidas refuses to submit earth and water. - Why isn't it ranked higher despite it setting the tone for the rest of the movie? This event pre-dated Thermopylae by ten years when the Spartans relented in providing these tokens of submission. It was one of the catalysts which led to the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), even though the Spartans didn't fight during the battle. - Points off for not being historically accurate, but that's another story, for another time.

7. When Leonidas and Daxos, the leader of the Arcadians who commands a larger contingent of warriors, meet on their way to the 'Hot Gates', seeing only the Spartan king's bodyguard, question Sparta's commitment to the defense of Thermopylae. When Butler has asked several of the Arcadians what their professions are and after receiving their replies such as potter, sculptor and blacksmiths, he asks his troops, "Spartans, what is your profession?" The response is unanimous, the Spartans even though outnumbered by their Arcadian allies, have more warriors. - It's a pretty humorous scene handled by Butler with great aplomb, yet once again, nothing to do with Thermopylae. It was spoken instead by King Agesilaus around 80+ years later, and is one of the great sayings attributed to the Spartans which were recorded by Plutarch.

6. After arriving at Thermopylae, Leonidas and the Captain (Vincent Regan) are engaged in a conversation when the earth begins to tremble. The Captain thinks it's an earthquake, however, the king's response..."No Captain. Battle formations." - I know what you're thinking here, why on earth would this make the top ten? Easy...the knowing smirk and absolute glee on Butler's face, while very subtle, say it all,..."Right, the Persians are amassing for battle, now let's go for it...enough with the training all of our adult lives, here's the real deal, now let's go have some fun."

5. Butler: "Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty...for tonight we dine in hell!" - Recorded by Herodotus, this is only line attributed to Leonidas by the 'Father of history'. It such a great line it was used to promote the movie in many of the different versions of the '300' posters.

300

Buy This at Allposters.com

4. Leonidas is roughhousing with his son, Pleistrachus, when GB says, "In the end, a Spartan's true strength is the warrior next to him." - This exchange had a lot more to it than a throwaway line between a father and his child. The phalanx was a deadly formation and its success depended on the whole unit of hoplites who fought together in very close quarters. Any breakdown other than total unity could mean a fatal collapse. The first battle sequence captures the phalanx's effectiveness which obviously relied heavily on Victor Davis Hanson's 'The Western Way of War'. If you're going to acknowledge materials on ancient Greek warfare, there is no better place to start than this title.

3. While Butler is eating an apple, he's surveying the battlefield after the first day's fighting while his warriors dispense of the Persian wounded. While speaking with his Spartiates, he agrees to meet with Xerxes and listen to the demands of the Persian royal, all of this while continuing to eat his apple. - His attitude is so blasé on the battlefield, it's almost like "Oh well, it's another day at the office." Brilliant!

2. The meeting between Leonidas and Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) is one of the best scenes of the movie and I almost had it at number one. - When GB first sees Santoro, laden with jewels, a shaven head, multiple piercings and looking androgynous beyond belief while being carried on the shoulders of his underlings, the look that Butler gives is priceless - almost as if he says out loud, "You have got to be kidding me!" - and to top it off, Butler's repartee while throwing out some pretty deft one-liners would've made James Bond proud. However, as far as I'm concerned, it's that look of incredulity upon his arrival in meeting Xerxes which I still find quite amusing.

1. Persian herald: "Spartans! Lay down your weapons!"....GB: "Persians! Come and get them!" (Molon Labe) - While not recorded by Herodotus, the source for this quotation which has become synonymous with Thermopylae was once again Plutarch (Apophthegmata Laconica, 51.11). I still think that they should have used the original Greek instead of the English translation, sort of an homage to the original version with Egan. Then it could have reinforced the laconisim that the Spartans were known for instead of being so verbose :-)

I'm very curious to see if anyone has any other Gerry Butler scene as King Leonidas that they feel merits inclusion. Please let me know, since I'm certain there were several instances overlooked, or yours are just better choices. We'll visit this topic once again on the week of March 9th with a revised edition of 'The Top 10 Scenes of Gerard Butler as King Leonidas'. It will be posted concurrently with the winner of sealed brand new copy of Last Stand of the 300. If you'd like to qualify for the contest, all you need to do is become a verified subscriber, it's that easy.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #5: Is Spartan art a misnomer?, plus the 'Wrath of the Titans' trailer

2012-02-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

There is a misconception perpetuated by 'Tinseltown', that the Spartans for all intents and purposes were devoid of any artistic merit since they were dedicated only to military matters and nothing else. It is true that Spartan males were 'inducted' into the agoge at the age of 6, possibly 7 and for the rest of their lives until the age of 60, served in a military capacity as citizen-warriors of their city-state...and yes, manual labor (farming, tending to the livestock, etc.) were duties performed by helots, who were disenfranchised Greeks. Therefore, did this mean that the Spartans didn't appreciate art, or that they were devoid of artistic creativity since their focus was warfare? Certainly not!

While it can't be argued that the emphases during the Spartiates' lives were training for battle and campaigning, it shouldn't come as a surprise when viewing the surviving artifacts from the Laconian region, which consist of objects that generally are either military-themed, or associated with the gods whom they worshiped. Furthermore, it is easy to understand why artistically, Sparta's achievements were overshadowed by those of the city-state of Athens, which was the cultural center of Greece, and perhaps the western world as well during the Classical and Hellenistic ages. On the other hand, the geographer Pausanias in his travels through Sparta, recorded a vision of the Spartan polis which differed greatly from the characterization of that of a cluster of rural villages. Instead, he recorded the city as flourishing with buildings, monuments and palaces, which contradicts the word most associated with this warrior society, 'spartan'.

What of the magnificent bust of the helmeted warrior below which had been named (erroneously) as the 'Leonidas' statue upon discovery by archaeologists excavating in Sparta. While it has come to epitomize the Spartiati warrior since its unearthing approximately a century ago, its beauty and craftsmanship have conclusively disproved the assertion that the Spartans weren't artistic.

Leonidas, d. 480...
Buy This at Allposters.com

Incidentally, I recently saw the trailer for the Wrath of the Titans, which is the sequel to Clash of the Titans. Wondering why it took Legendary Pictures so long to produce this movie (wink,wink), especially since Clash earned a ton of $$$. Since Medusa and the Kraken were disposed of quite nicely in Clash, this go around we've got what appears to be a cyclops, conjoined warriors who resemble whirling dervishes and an assortment of creatures that look like cutting-room rejects from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is one scene though, about 1:30 into the two-minute trailer which does look pretty good and that is of a phalanx of hoplites advancing. However, since it is less than a second long, you really can't tell too much, which is a shame. Definitely a teaser, though!

Don't forget, if you'd like to enter to win the sealed brand new copy of Last Stand of the 300, you need to be a verified subscriber. The drawing will be held on March 9, 2012.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #4: The ancient monuments to King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, where art thou?

2012-01-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

Word association is very subjective - whenever I hear the word Greece it makes me think about the ancient ruins and statues which are interspersed throughout the Grecian landscape. To others, Greece will mean something else, perhaps a current event, Alexander the Great, the fight for independence against the Ottoman Empire, etc. One of the images which is most indelible (for me, at least) is the Parthenon which represents an enduring symbol of the 'Glory of Greece' and whose frieze honors the 192 Athenian Marathonomachoi who died in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC). This segues to a great question which was forwarded to us about the Persian invasions of Greece, specifically the most celebrated of all these conflicts, the Battle of Thermopylae.

Despite the reverence that has been accorded Thermopylae, where are the ancient monuments to King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans? There are the statues dedicated to the Spartiati king at the 'Hot Gates', and in Sparta, however, these were erected in 1955 and 1968, respectively. While the statue of Leonidas is central to the monument at Thermopylae, the Spartans who died there in 480 BC are also honored, with an emphasis on the inscribed names of the Spartan and Thespian heroes whom exhibited excellence in the three-day conflict, according to the historian Herodotus. However, it is a modern memorial, established in 1955, as is the stone tablet of the epitaph composed by the poet Simonides, which pays homage to the 300 at the site of the last stand.

Are the lack of tributes an oversight, or is it perhaps the significance of the battle was underestimated at that time by the Spartans and the rest of the Greece? On the contrary - the geographer Pausanias (not to be confused with the Spartan general who commanded the forces at Plataea) wrote that the names of the 300 were inscribed on a pillar in Sparta which confirmed Herodotus' account of their commemoration in their homeland. A stone lion which stood symbolic of the greatest of Sparta's kings was positioned where Leonidas had fallen on the third and final day at Thermopylae. It should be noted though, that the city-state of Sparta only honored warriors who had perished during battle with a marker, or mothers who had died giving birth to a child.

Unfortunately, these ancient memorials which heroized the defenders of Thermopylae were not eternal. The stone lion of Leonidas which marked where the king had fallen, and the pillar in Sparta which named all of the 300 Spartans, were either ravaged by time, destroyed by an invading enemy or lost as a result of a natural calamity. Even the original epitaph which was engraved has been replaced by the version (1955) which travelers photograph on their stop to the site of one of history's greatest battles.

Grave of King Leonidas of Sparta

There is one poignant reminder of the defense of the narrow mountain pass at Thermopylae that still survives this day and that is of King Leonidas' tomb in Sparta. What are believed to be the remains of Leonidas were transported back from the battlefield to his homeland, approximately forty years after his death. To Spartans, ancient and modern they represent a father, husband, king and countryman, to the world the name Leonidas is synonymous with bravery, defiance, self-sacrifice and heroism.

Don't forget, if you'd like to enter to win the sealed brand new copy of Last Stand of the 300, you need to be a verified subscriber. The drawing will be held on March 9, 2012.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #3: '300: The Battle of Artemisium'

2012-01-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

The second revision (and hopefully, the last) to the title of the follow-up to the enormously successful movie adaptation of Frank Miller's Battle of Thermopylae saga 300 is....drum roll, please....300: The Battle of Artemisium.

This latest update was pretty much confirmed by the Fusible website, which announced recently that on January 3rd, agents for Warner Bros. registered the name as it appears above. This means for the moment, we'll see 300: The Battle of Artemisium, or perhaps a slight variation on the marquee when the movie finally premiers. Will this influence the title to the Frank Miller yet-to-be released comic book series from which the movie will based? Who knows? It will be interesting to see how it all pans out, especially since in Miller's interviews he's been calling the comics Xerxes. Then again he could backtrack and say that it was only a working title. In any event, it's pretty intriguing to see how this unfolds.

Here's the breakdown on what's happened so far....

The Good

After the never-ending debacle which had Miller announcing that the movie would be called Xerxes and then the producers stating that it would be called 300: The Battle of Artemisia, it was pretty nice to feel a sense of closure and move forward with what apparently could be the final version of the title.

The Bad

If the Xerxes appellation sounded too exotic, which translated into it not being marketable, that's understood. After all it's all about money, plain and simple. If the first in a series of projected movies has a following and you know it's going to make money....it will definitely see the light of the day. Therefore, the marketing department's strategy could be to have a name in the spotlight which will resonate with the old audience which may entice them to see the newest rendition. The old adage 'Give the people what they want' rings true here, especially if it will fill the coffers of the movie studio. What is inexcusable though, is the Artemisia bit which we addressed in December. I wonder why it took so long for the Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures execs to hire an historical consultant to correct them, or to have one of their minions do their homework. Artemisia was wrong from day one, it had to be Artemisium. Yes, we know it's a matter of only a few letters sia vs. sium, but it's the cavalier approach to details with respect to ancient Greek history which is disconcerting and distasteful.

The Ugly

Inserting 300 into the title is pretty crass, there's no other way to say it. The Battle of Artemisium while significant to the outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae (which will be discussed later) has about as much to do with King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, as the Immortals did to the naval battle at Artemisium. Also what about the Battle of Marathon which will also be featured in the movie according to interviews with the screenwriter of the project, Zack Snyder and creator, Frank Miller? How can one of the landmark battles of Western civilization be relegated to a footnote without any mention in the movie's title? Also, can't the marketing team insert the phrase from 'The producers of 300' as they did with Tarsem Singh's Immortals. That was pretty subtle, right? WRONG! Instead the studio feels that they need to bring it to our attention, or blatantly exploit the 300/Thermopylae connection, without any of the Spartans fighting at either Marathon (490 BC) and/or Artemisium. Then again it is Hollywood...we could see some more revisionism, oops, I forgot dramatic license!

Don't forget, if you'd like to enter to win the sealed brand new copy of Last Stand of the 300, you need to be a verified subscriber. The drawing will be held on March 9, 2012.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #2: 'Bring them Back': The return of the Parthenon Marbles & info on our newest contest

2012-01-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, we concentrated quite a few posts on the desire of the Hellenic Republic and citizens from around the world, including many from England who wish to see the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens. We recently broached the subject once again with the recent passing away of journalist Christopher Hitchens, whom many would agree was the most outspoken critic of the British Museum, which is where the sculptures have been on display for approximately two hundred years.

A few of the reasons provided by the British Museum for not returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece were that the pollution which hovered over the city of Athens was harmful to the buildings of the Acropolis. In addition, they claimed that the Greeks didn't have the facilities to display the artifacts, many of which were hacked away by Lord Elgin's agents and transported back to England in the early 1800's. Incidentally, the trustees of the museum say they will allow for the return of the sculptures, however, it would only be on a temporary basis. These assertions, bring us to a 'tongue in cheek' video produced by the website bringthemback.org which is petitioning for the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles back to the country of their origin. Enjoy!

Many thanks to Stavroula for bringing this visual to our attention!

Our latest contest which begins today and ends on March 9th, 2012 will award a brand new, sealed copy of the DVD Last Stand of the 300 to a verified subscriber. Since the contests have been held, recent winners have received, signed copies of books by authors, Gene Kraay, Steven Pressfield and Helena Schrader, therefore, if you'd like to enter for this DVD, among many other future giveaways, please join. Remember, absolutely, positively, NO SPAM...only weekly updates on ancient Greek warfare.

Last but not least, 2012 will see the expansion of the website which includes updates on the Battle of Marathon and new material on the Battle of Artemisium.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2012) #1: 'The Hellenic Warriors' to appear at Drexel University

2012-01-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

The musings which have appeared on this site have dealt for the most part with events that occurred in Greece approximately 2500 years ago. Therefore, trying to reconcile the old with the new has created a sense of irony which is pervading. In order to provide an easier accessibility for readers who share an interest in the Greek warriors and warfare of old, we're stepping through the portal of ancient time, into the 21st century and including social media applications on our website. While having resisted for the longest time, it is believed that these additions will enhance our communications and in theory render more feedback, which should allows us to gauge which materials have the greatest appeal.

The first news of 2012 is that we are extremely honored to be appearing at Drexel University on May 16, 2012 as part of the lecture entitled “300 Revisited: Fact and Fiction in Hollywood’s Depiction of the Battle of Thermopylae.” We will be collaborating once again with Dr. Maria Hnaraki, who is the director of Greek Studies at Drexel, and whom along with Dr. Gonda Van Steen, we joined forces with in 2010 to present 'Battle of Marathon 2500 Year Anniversary'.

'The Hellenic Warriors'

Finally, our newest contest will be announced next week along with some of the topics we will cover over the next year.

Until then...Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #52: New titles on ancient Greek warfare

2011-12-29T03:00:00.000-05:00

What better way to finish up the last post of 2011 with five titles that I'm pretty certain will appeal to the student of ancient Greek warfare. Several of the books have been released recently and the others will be published in 2012. One of the all-time great books on Sparta's military is scheduled for reprinting, John Lazenby's, The Spartan Army. Out-of-print for almost two decades, trying to find a copy to purchase was next to impossible - and those that were available were in pretty lousy shape, let alone unbelievably expensive. Check this link out to see what I mean!

For our friends in the United Kingdom, all of these titles can be bought at Pen and Sword Books.

Many new contests loom on the horizon next year for our verified subscribers...Once again, many thanks to Steven Pressfield, Callie Oettinger, Helena Schrader and Osprey Publishing for their generosity!

Until next year, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #51: Silence is not golden - The void left behind by Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

2011-12-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

To coincide with the inaugaration of the Acropolis Museum in Athens which opened its doors to the public in June 2009, several paragraphs were posted on this site with respect to Greece's continuing struggle for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. Upon reexamination of these postings approximately two plus years later, there is a certain poignancy attached to many of them, especially due to the untimely passing on December 15th of British-born and raised Philhellene, Christopher Hitchens.

Mr. Hitchens who was eulogized in many tributes as an acclaimed author and polemicist, was to many readers a polarizing figure due to his controversial views on theology, the political landscape in the USA and the war in Iraq, among other topics. However, to the citizens of Greece proper, and those around the world, he was embraced as a result of his advocacy for the restitution of the monuments from the Hellenes' greatest landmark, the Parthenon. It was his book, first published in 1987 and then reissued and updated in 2008 with a revised title The Parthenon Marbles: The Case for Reunification which offered perhaps the most concise and articulately written material on the sculptures' convoluted history. With this publication, he argued for the return of the segments of the frieze which had been whisked away by Lord Elgin approximately 200 years earlier, and why they belonged not in the British Museum where they have resided, but within the grandeur of the newly constructed Acropolis Museum.

With the aformentioned book first published about a quarter century ago and several articles on the Parthenon penned subsequently, Hitchens had essentially been left the mantle as spokesperson for these revered marbles, by default upon the death of the actress Melina Mercouri in 1994. Her celebrity status and impassioned pleas as the Greek Minister of Culture had undoubtedly created an emotional and moral pressure on the trustees of the British Museum, stating that the sculptures were a symbol of the Hellenes' national pride. Hitchens ironically, was one of Great Britain's own, like Lord Byron several centuries earlier, and had in essence emerged due to his erudition as the de facto figurehead for the repatriation of the marbles.

It nonetheless was Mr. Hitchen's writing, combined with his eloquence as a speaker that allowed him to wade through the hypocrisy that has been the cornerstone of the British Museum's intransigence with respect to the marble hacked away by Lord Elgin's agents. His debating skills were unparalleled and nowhere were they more evident than his exchange with respected author and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, James Cuno.

With his passing a void has been created once again...since silence does not bode well for the restoration of the Parthenon frieze. Therefore, we must now wonder, who has the prominence and the visibility to follow in the footsteps of Byron, Mercouri and our dear Philhellene, Christopher Hitchens?

The winner of the signed Helena Schrader title, Leonidas of Sparta: A Peerless Peer is M. Dewan. Congratulations! Many thanks again to Helena Schrader who also several months ago presented a copy of the first title in her King Leonidas trilogy entitled Leonidas of Sparta: A Boy of the Agoge.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #50: Ten (10) Osprey Publishing titles for the enthusiast of the Greco-Persian Wars

2011-12-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

I've always been an advocate of the Osprey Publishing series when it comes to referring books relative to the Greco-Persian Wars. There is a misconception that their titles offer a rudimentary knowledge of the topic covered, however, that's where there will be a disagreement by those familiar with their catalogue. I believe that their books aren't marketed for the novice, but more for those who have an innate curiosity to learn more about a subject that appeals to them. Of course, there will be other publishing houses which offer titles about these landmark battles which are more in depth. Be that as it may, Osprey's books are very affordable, their illustrations greatly complement the materials contained within and to top it off, their authors are cited by other writers in their works.

That being said, here are 10 titles which you man enjoy!

A winner has been chosen for the signed Helena Schrader title Leonidas of Sparta: A Peerless Peer...the announcement will be shortly forthcoming! Don't despair, other contests will be announced in the very near future.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #49: Why '300: Battle of Artemisia' needs a title revision...again!

2011-12-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

It was announced several months ago that the follow-up to the 2007 Warner Bros. Battle of Thermopylae movie 300, instead of being titled Xerxes is now projected to appear on the marquee (at least for the time being) as 300: Battle of Artemesia. Apparently, the Legendary Pictures' producers/marketing department gurus felt that the Frank Miller yet-to-be released comic book series entitled Xerxes might have sounded a little too exotic, or perhaps not marketable enough.

If we step back a little to 2007 we may see how this has all evolved so far - After the worldwide success of 300, it was only a matter of time before the inevitable question arose as to when a sequel would arrive...or even a prequel for that matter. Frank Miller started working on the Xerxes comic book series soon thereafter and according to Miller in a LA Times interview, the time frame of the six-part series would begin with the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) and end with the Battle of Artemisium (480 BC), which would cover a span of ten years.

Now this is what is perplexing - According to the Collider website, producer Mark Canton stated: "Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad have written an absolutely awesome screenplay and we’re working on moving forward with Warner Bros. and Legendary, and it’s getting serious. And it’s not a sequel or a prequel… it’s another story in the 300 universe, and it’s pretty great." Now if this movie is "another story in the 300 universe" it does make sense to try to capitalize on the popularity of the 300 movie which starred Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, despite it not being labeled by Mr. Canton as a prequel or sequel - who are we trying to kid, right?. If it smells like a prequel or sequel, it is a prequel/sequel! Then why try to deny it and then encompass the first title in the upcoming movie's title? Herein lies the conundrum - ok I get using the 300 bit as a marketing strategy....what I don't understand, plain and simple is the part about the Battle of Artemisia??? It is quite misleading when the battle which was fought concurrently on the same three days as 300's Thermopylae was Artemisium...not Artemisia - and to top it off, Artemisia was the queen of Halicarnassus and an ally of Xerxes who eventually ended up fighting with the Persian navy against the Greeks during the Battle of Salamis. A little bit confusing, isn't it?

Something tells me we'll see a switch to another title before the movie's release!!!

Many thanks to my mate, Matt Watkins, for forwarding the latest news on the 300 prequel/sequel to my inbox. Cheers, Matt!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #48: Ten (10) titles on ancient Greek warfare for your Kindle or Nook

2011-12-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

Every couple of days, there's a question submitted which asks which book do you recommend on Thermopylae, the Spartans, etc. From the emails received over the last several years, one area that seems to intrigue readers is the warfare of the ancient Greeks. Once again, here's a list of ten titles in alphabetical order by author name, not individual preference for your Kindle, Nook or library. As with last week's post, if you feel that any other titles deserve being mentioned, please let me know...I would be more than interested in hearing more about your favorite for inclusion.

Here are a couple of titles by author Helena Schrader which could have been included with last week's posting:

I would be remiss if I once again didn't mention one of our favorite author's, E.S. (Gene) Kraay whose book The Olympian was included on our list last week. Gene's latest two titles (even though they're not about ancient Greece) merit attention due to the quality of his first title and they are:

In conclusion, several rare publicity photos from the 1962 classic, The 300 Spartans have been posted!

Blog 17, Blog 18, Blog 19 & Blog 20...Enjoy...more will be coming!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!!!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #47: Ten (10) works of fiction on the Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae for your new Kindle

2011-11-24T03:00:00.000-05:00

One of the subscribers to the blog received a Kindle as a birthday present and asked what books about Thermopylae or the Spartans he should purchase for his brand new e-reader. Since the holiday season is upon us and since there are quite a few books about King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, let's our focus center on works of fiction.

This isn't in order of preference, only alphabetical by author... some oldies, all goodies!!!

I received an article from Rev. Dr. J.C. Husfelt entitled Lacedaemon—Home of the Warrior Philosophers A Bitter/Sweet Journey which has been posted in three parts due to its length (2011 Blogs 37-39). Enjoy!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #46: Newest contest announced - signed copy of the Helena Schrader title 'Leonidas of Sparta: A Peerless Peer'

2011-11-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

Our latest contest is courtesy of author Helena Schrader, who has graciously offered a signed copy of her latest book Leonidas of Sparta: A Peerless Peer, to the winner who will be announced on Thursday, December 15th, 2011. This is the second title in her Leonidas trilogy and as you can gauge from the reviews posted on Amazon, a captivating read. Once again, the winner will be chosen from one of the verified subscribers to this site. Best of luck!!!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #45: From the producers of '300': 'Immortals' to be released on 11/11/11

2011-11-10T03:00:00.001-05:00

Premiering November 11, 2011 is the latest movie on the ancient Greeks entitled Immortals, which is based on the exploits of the mythological hero Theseus. Since it's from the producers of 300, we have to wonder it what ways it will resemble the producers' foray about the Battle of Thermopylae. If you've seen it by chance, please let me know what you think!

Immortals - Theseus

Buy This Allposters.com

***Next Thursday, we will announce our newest contest which will be awarded to a verified subscriber -Details to follow.***

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #44: 'Immortals' and the impact of Warner Bros. '300' which goes on and on...

2011-11-03T03:00:00.001-04:00

During a long-needed sabbatical (more on this later), I received some great links from one of my mates, Matt Watkins, who let me know about the upcoming movie Immortals. Once again Matt....many thanks!!!

The first inclination for those familiar with the Greco-Persian Wars after they've heard/read about the 'Immortals' is to think about the personal bodyguard of Persia's kings who numbered 10,000 warriors, each of whom was replaced when injured or killed in battle. What may be disappointing (or not) is that the aforementioned movie will be based on the mythological exploits of Theseus...and as the Firstshowing.net website mentioned, the footage played at Comic-Con had a "300 meets Clash of the Titans" feel to it.

Here's the trailer for Immortals which will be released on 11-11-11.

This brings us once again to Warner Bros. 300 and its influence which seems to continue unabated. The review above and from what is seems like every production in the 'sword and sandals' genre since the 2007 release of the Battle of Thermopylae megahit have all pretty much made reference to the impact that the movie has made. Clash of the Titans, Centurion, Spartacus and now Immortals, not to mention the spoof Meet the Spartans have all bore some resemblance to 300, or that is what the reviewers/critics have intimated. Further confirming its effect on the industry is the 'in development' project entitled Xenophon's Anabasis which is more widely known as the March of the Ten Thousand and the sequel to Clash, tentatively titled (at this point at least) Wrath of the Titans. And so it goes, on and on and on.....

Clash Of The Titans

27 in. x 41 in.

Buy This Allposters.com

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #43: TNT TV to broadcast '300' in the USA...is it a coincidence?

2011-10-27T03:00:00.000-04:00

In what seems to be more than a coincidence than the observance of Veterans Day, viewers in the USA will be able to see Warner Bros. 300 by the same producers who are premiering their latest entry with respect to ancient Greece, entitled Immortals. It is surprising that on the same day that Immortals opens (11-11-11), TNT is rebroadcasting Frank Miller's version of the Battle of Thermopylae. Good thing for DVR's and the antiquated VHS systems, otherwise there could be an interesting conflict.

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #42: Horrible Histories - HH News Battle of Thermopylae

2011-10-20T03:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a pretty humorous take on the Battle of Thermopylae sent from one of my good friends, Darius Kadivar, who has contributed greatly to these pages on more than one occasion. Many thanks Darius!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #41:Visit to Saint James Academy

2011-10-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

In what our living history group 'The Hellenic Warriors' considers the ultimate honor, is a visit to the classroom to speak to students about the Battle of Thermopylae. Our appearance will be the second at St. James Academy in Maryland and has been scheduled to take place on November 17th. Photos to follow!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #40: NPR Books: Interview with Victor Davis Hanson

2011-10-06T03:00:00.001-04:00

The following link will forward you to an NPR interview with classicist Victor Davis Hanson, where he discusses his latest book on the Spartans vs.the Thebans in the decisive Battle of Leuctra entitled The End of Sparta. This conflict essentially ended Sparta's supremacy, while Thebes' hegemony began as a result of this victory which employed a 50-deep column against the Spartiati formation of twelve deep. Enjoy!

Until next week, Molon Labe (Come and get them!)

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #39: 'The Museum in Sparti' by Rev. Dr. J.C. Husfelt - Part III of III

2011-09-29T03:00:00.000-04:00

The Museum in Sparti

I believe that the ancient Spartans were first and foremost Warrior Philosophers. To many people they were just the opposite; unintelligent warriors bent on war. This has been a viewpoint put forth by historians and scholars who base their theories, premises and assumptions on information or knowledge that is secondhand. They may also base their theories on their life experiences as an observer and not as a participant in martial/spiritual studies.

There is another glaring problem with discovering the truth of the past. It is written by the victors not the vanquished. Thus, the majority of the written history of the Spartans has been viewed through the prejudicial prism of the Athenians—archenemies of the Spartans.

What then is the truth? Are we going to believe historians and a travel writer? Or is there some type of proof that would contradict them.

There is no doubt that the Spartans were the most religiously pious of all the Greeks. In addition, there is my esoteric theory on the chained statue of Ares. Interestingly enough, the statue of Ares was not the only statue that was wrapped in chains in Sparta. A statue of Aphrodite, the wife of Ares, was similarly fettered. Why, we may ask.

In Greek mythology, there is a concept called “Harmonia, which is usually translated as ‘harmony,’ but means any union in which the parts form a seamless whole while retaining their distinct identities. Harmonia is the daughter of sea-born Aphrodite and fiery Ares, whom Empedocles[i] identified with Love and Strife, the two primary cosmic forces, which bring about all change in the universe. Pythagoras[ii] likewise said that cosmic Harmonia is born of the union of Love and Strife. She reconciles all oppositions.”[iii]

In other words, the chains on both statues symbolized the concept of control or ‘pressing down the energy’ of both the blind violence and bloodlust of Ares and the desire of Aphrodite. This is the desire, the worldly lust (voluptas mundi), which may lead to illicit love. This is the type of love that causes dysfunctional behavior and actions.

It is interesting to note that the Spartans didn’t cover up their women or make them second-class citizens as cultures and societies since the time of the Spartans have done to control the worldly lust of their people.

But is there still more proof outside of my theory on the reason for the chains? What else is there to verify that the Spartans were Warrior Philosophers?

Is there a clue within the mythology of Greece? Is there truth to be found within the mythology of the serpent? Both the Spartans and the Athenians considered themselves of serpent origin. There is even the possibility that the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, where Chilon’s maxim ‘know thyself’ was inscribed, was located upon the site of an ancient serpent temple. One of Athena’s symbols was the serpent. The Greek god of healing, Asklepios was also represented by an ascending serpent coiling around his staff. There is the insignia of the Dioscuri with two ascending serpents. And we had been gifted with the ascending serpent skin by the Temple of Athena overlooking the Acropolis.

The majority of spiritual and religious traditions of the past have recognized the wisdom and power of the serpent as well as its various allegories. The serpent represents immortal energy and consciousness, which is connected with the ageless myths of death, rebirth and resurrection. The serpent’s movements are serpentine, symbolic of the rhythm of life. And with its lidless eyes, it reminds us to be ever vigilant, aware and awake—a necessary quality of a warrior. Additionally, the serpent was recognized as a symbol of prophecy as its venom was used for altered states of consciousness and mystical trances.

I have spent my life seeking the Mysteries of heaven and earth. I have a very close relationship with the serpent; even my heliacal rising star at birth was Alphard—the heart of the Hydra. This means that my life is connected to the great Serpent.

Accordingly, when I entered the museum in Sparti the next morning, I was awestruck by the abundance of ascending serpent imagery— percentage wise, there were more than I had ever seen in any other museum around the world. I happily realized that along with the cult of the Dioscuri, this was the proof that I needed to support my theory that the Spartans were a culture of enlightened warrior philosophers.

The imagery was not only of ascending serpents but the serpents were drinking out of a cup. Ascending serpents symbolize the awakening of the serpent energy within ourselves.

Philosophically, awakening our serpent power allows the energy of the earth, the angels of the earth mother, to ascend and marry the energy of the stars, angels of the heavenly father, into a union of opposites. Philosophy aside, this actually occurs physiologically within our bodies. Once awakened our serpent energy begins ascending up our spinal column activating each chakra or energy center until union is completed at the pineal gland (enlightenment) within the skull (symbolized sometimes as a cup). At this point our serpent is no longer just of the earth but is now of the earth and heavens.

This awakening, this inner fire of spiritual awakening, occurs within our body and mind (heart). This divine solar force arouses the serpent energy in our first energy center or chakra.[iv] This is the water serpent that is aroused by the fire of our spirit—a supreme interpenetration of heavenly and earthly elements: fire and water. This is a union of opposites, a baptism of fire and water that leads to healing and enlightenment and the resurrection of the androgynous life-force.

This was the knowledge and the wisdom utilized by the ancient Spartans—an enlightened culture of Warrior Philosophers.

I am amazed, but then again, I am not surprised that no one has ever connected the serpent knowledge utilized by the Spartan culture and society as a foundation of truth to their enlightened culture. Instead people have accepted the word of a travel writer projecting his own preconceived notions about the Spartans as gospel.

I understand that this may be partially due to the fact that the primary focus has been on Thermopylae and not on Sparta. Please understand the Hot Gates are closer to my heart than anyone could ever know, but Thermopylae was just one moment in time that exemplified sacrifice, honor, courage, perseverance, loyalty, tears and freedom. The desire to be free people and to live in peace. It was a victory in defeat that presented a noble but sober image of life and death. But the divine and human qualities embodied at Thermopylae were not birthed there; they were birthed someplace else.

Quite simply they were born out of the soil of the land and the vibrant mountains of Lacedaemon all framed by the wide-open skies. But primarily, they were birthed within the heart and the mind of a people—the brothers and sisters of Sparta.

The next day after training in the Acropolis we bid farewell to Sparti and headed to Olympia and then on to our final destination—Delphi. As we left town, I mused on our time here. The memories, experiences and training had been awesome. We had met and talked to some of the locals and made some friends, enjoyed good food and drink. However, with all that we had discovered, experienced and felt it was still a bitter/sweet time for me in Sparti.

But then again; isn’t that life?

Rev. Dr. JC Husfelt

www.spartanwarriorphilosophers.com

Journey to Greece and Sparti June 10 - 19, 2012

[i] Greek pre-Socratic Philosopher

[ii] Greek philosopher and mathematician

[iii] John Opsopaus, Guide to the Pythagorean Tarot, p. 88

[iv] The 1st chakra is the Root Chakra. It is located at the base of the spine and deals with issues of security, basic needs, basic human survival, profane sex and inappropriate sexual activity and one’s connection to the earth (an un-awakened first chakra views earth/nature as hostile). This is the chakra of dualism.

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #38: 'Sparti' by Rev. Dr. J.C. Husfelt - Part II of III

2011-09-22T03:00:00.000-04:00

Sparti

Arriving in Sparti is visually unexciting. There are no signs acknowledging this land, this city, as the homeland of the Warrior Philosophers except for an awesome statue of King Leonidas by the stadium. With this being said, the most important aspect that is missing is any sense of the warrior spirit that was and still is Sparta’s historical birthright. Not that I would want to see workers of the Municipality of Sparta walking around dressed as ancient Spartan Knights, but I would love to see a shift in the consciousness. This would be a shift from the purely mundane materialistic to a sense of spirit, honor and pride in their warrior philosophical ancestral heritage and to the restoration of equality since the ancient Spartans referred to themselves as Equals. And we must not forget one of the most important ingredients—the equality of men and women.

If you have never been to Sparti, you may question this statement about spirit, honor and pride. When historical ruins are left to linger as an afterthought or absence of thought of ‘glory days gone by,’ this act alone paints a vivid picture of an absolute rejection of one’s ancestral heritage. This is the case with Sparti/Sparta.

We arrived in Sparti late in the afternoon and checked into the Menelaion Hotel, named after the site of the sanctuary of Menelaus and Helen, the deified heroes of Sparta. The next day, a Sunday, was to be a martial and spiritual training day. I wanted to first meditate and train at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia. We would then finish the day with a session at the hilltop site of the step-pyramid structure and hero shrine of the Menelaion in honor of Menelaus, Helen (of Troy) and the Dioscuri, the twin heroic brothers of Helen—Castor and Polydeuces.

Castor, the mortal one of the twins, was a martial artist and a teacher of swordsmanship to Herakles. Both were Spartan heroes, Polydeuces being an unbeatable boxer, while Castor was the fearless warrior. How appropriate for us to train on the sacred ground of the Dioscuri and to honor them and Herakles with prayers, meditation and martial activity. It was due to this myth of the Dioscuri that the ancient Spartans had two kings. The Dioscuri were Spartan’s patrons and protectors. Additionally, the Spartan kings were the priests of the Dioscuri.

After breakfast we headed to the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia (the Upright). I chose the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia as our first training and meditation site as it was supposedly the most sacred place and religious gathering site within ancient Sparta

I have an excellent sense of direction but attempting to discover the location of her sanctuary was to say the least, difficult. Finally, we saw a small sign pointing down a side road. What we discovered brought both anger and sadness. Artemis’s sacred ground, the religious navel of Sparta, appeared extremely unkempt, desecrated by lack of attention. A locked gate and fence circled the site and prevented us from entering. I was extremely upset at this turn of events but hoped the sacred site of the Dioscuri would be different.

We headed out of town in search of the mythical, but real, ridge-top site of the Dioscuri, who symbolized the spiritual and physical in humans. We found the turnoff and proceeded up a narrow road that seemingly ended at a small chapel. But there was an even narrower road, better described as a path that still continued up the mountainside. It appeared as if it had not been used often as the foliage was encroaching on the road in certain places. Not to be deterred and in the spirit of Artemis, whose domain is the dangerous and exciting moments of life, we continued up the mountain in our four-door BMW, dubbed the ‘black chariot.’ After a slightly harrowing ride up the curvy mountain trail, we finally arrived at the sacred site of the Dioscuri.

And what a beautiful scene awaited our arrival—the Valley of Lacedaemon, the name Homer attached to it. We could see the entire fertile and lush valley with the River Eurotas running through it. The beauty of the valley was magnificently and magically framed by Mt. Taygetus, the mythical haunt of Artemis. It was a crystal clear day with an azure sky holding within it a radiant sun ruled by none other than Hades. It was boiling hot. Taking a deep breath of the energetic splendor, I could almost hear Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Hades and the other Olympians shouting their approval. Finally humans were going to bless and honor this sacred ground of the Age of Heroes and the Dioscuri—sacred stones and soil that for so long had been neglected. It was my desire to honor this holy ground, not only spiritually, but martially, in tribute and reverence to the Age of Heroes and the spirit of the Spartan warriors. Perchance; could this simple and heartfelt act be the beginning of another Age of Heroes?

As I exited our chariot, a surreal sight met my eyes. There seemed to be an abandoned vehicle by the farthest corner of the ruins from where we were parked. The passenger’s side door was open and its car seat was missing. As I walked closer, I realized; we were not alone. It seemed that a local had taken this opportunity on a Sunday to drive up here and work on his car. Our new friend, and soon-to-be spectator, looked up from his work and smiled. I returned the smile while thinking, “What a story he’s going to be able to tell his friends over ouzo.”

Talk about the ironies of life. There was only one Greek here on this sacred site on a Sunday. And he was working on his car no less. This is hallowed ground—the sacred site and birth place of one of the most recognizable Western myths and legends—the beautiful Helen and the tale of Troy, which to the ancient Greeks was considered one of the greatest and most important events in the Age of Heroes. With the fall of Troy, the Age of Heroes ended.

It seems to me that the modern citizens of Sparti don’t cherish their Spartan heritage. And an even larger irony is that the ancient Spartans were the most spiritual, religious and philosophical of all the Greeks at that time in history. One only needs to visit the museum in town to verify this truth (more about this later).

We changed into our black, and let me not forget to mention, heavy training uniform or ‘gi’ and proceeded to climb to the highest and hottest part of the ruins. As we made our way across the broken stones and dirt of the once glorious, but now all but forgotten, temple and shrine, I could sense the latent power beneath my feet. With Apollo’s darts beaming into my back, I stepped through the fabric of time and felt the joy and sorrow of this place. In the next moment, I was kneeling offering prayers to the land and the ancestors.

After further prayers and meditation, we began our physical training utilizing various areas of the ruins. The sharp stones and uneven ground provided an excellent stage for the realization of hand-to-hand martial training. The sun, energizing but not debilitating, and the awakened earth flowed together within me and brought a heightened spirit and memory to every cell of my body and mind. My body was happy. My mind was happy. And my spirit was happy.

After a period of time, I taught my students the war cry of the Spartans—Eleleleu. There is a certain manner to verbalize this battle chant to achieve the full power of its vibration. As we chanted this out over the valley, the winds responded acknowledging the ancientness of its power. How long has it been and when was the last time that this cry had echoed throughout Lakonia?

Next, I taught my students the strategic use of terrain through positioning, distancing, timing and most importantly feeling (intuition). This was an exercise in mind power, or what I call a strong mind, as a misstep could cause a loss of footing and stability that could propel one down on the edge of a jagged, and many times, unforgiving rock. Moreover, this exercise allowed my students to learn more about themselves under these non-dojo (training hall) conditions. Physical training is important in the martial arts, but what is mostly overlooked, and what is even more important is knowing ourselves and the training of our mind.

The importance of strategy and knowing ourselves has its roots here in Lacedaemon. “Know thyself” is essential for all people’s evolution of self[i] and higher self. This central Delphic maxim was attributed to Chilon—Spartan Philosopher and one of the Seven Ancient Sages of Greece. In our training, it was more than appropriate to honor not only the Lacedaemonian Chilon but furthermore, Athena—goddess of the heroic, martial ideal, who personified excellence in close combat and strategy.

I completed our training session with a meditative journey of martial power and then we ended with further meditation and prayers and bid farewell to our new Sparti friend. However, our day was not as yet complete as we were headed for the ruins of ancient Sparta—the Acropolis.

Once again the lack of attention and caring was maddening. Ironically, this uncaring attitude of the Sparti government and citizens was beneficial for our training. There is always a gifting in a wounding. And our gift was the freedom to explore and train with nothing restricting our ability to be one with the sacredness of the ancient site. There were no crowds, no guards or roped off areas like most other sacred sites around the world. We were not going to train here today, but I needed to get a feel for the Acropolis of Sparta and the Sanctuary of Athena Poliouchos (Athena Guardian of the City) before our training session the next morning.

We only spent a short time walking among the existing ruins of Acropolis. But there was no indication of the location of the Sanctuary of Athena (intelligent courage). Historically it was located on the slope above the Acropolis. Even though the sanctuary was one of the most important cult locations in ancient Sparta, there were no ruins left or even a sign honoring and explaining the importance of Athena’s cult.

As we were returning to the car, I spied an awesome gifting from the Spartan ancestors. But to my dismay, one of my students had seen it first on the walk into the Acropolis. Thus, it was a gifting for him and not for me. This made it even more powerful for him as my ‘owl eyes’ didn’t see it on the way in and I usually miss nothing.

The gifting was a pristine luculent luminous or translucent serpent’s skin that was ascending up a rock face. It was the most perfect serpent’s skin that I had ever seen. It was perfectly positioned on the stone and mirrored the ascending serpents that are on the insignia of the Dioscuri. This was a magical gift and an acknowledgement of our purpose and the training that we had just completed and would conduct the following morning.

Back at the hotel, I lectured on divination and the ‘god in chains.’ There is a commonly accepted truth that in Sparta there was a statue of Ares—the Greek War God. Ares represented violence, war-like frenzy and slaughter. This statue was wrapped in chains and supposedly symbolized that the spirit of Ares (blind violence) was never to leave the environs of the Spartan lands. This meaning was the conclusion of a Greek travel writer—the Second Century CE travel writer, Pausanias. People take as truth Pausanias’ assumption and conclusion that “in Lakonia they think the god of war will never desert them if they keep him in chains….”[ii]

However, as a spiritual/religious philosopher and martial artist, this explanation and symbolism doesn’t make sense. One of Ares’ principle attributes was bloodlust. But this was not a feature of the Spartans. In fact, bloodlust was the antithesis of the Spartan mind and heart. So what is the truth?

The Spartans recognized the totality of human emotion always striving to achieve harmony within oneself and within the Spartan community. They intimately followed the maxim, ‘know thyself.’ The importance to the Spartan mind of understanding fear and the detachment to it and the ‘pressing down’[iii] of it is revealed by the chained statue of Ares. The chains did not symbolize that the spirit of war should never exit the city of Sparta. They symbolized the detachment and pressing down of fear and the resultant bloodlust, which was not acceptable in their philosophical culture of perfected minds and hearts. Surely, the Athenians, and others would want you to think otherwise.

To read part III, click here.

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #37: 'Lacedaemon—Home of the Warrior Philosophers A Bitter/Sweet Journey' by Rev. Dr. J.C. Husfelt - Part I of III

2011-09-15T03:00:00.001-04:00

Lacedaemon—Home of the Warrior Philosophers

A Bitter/Sweet Journey

The moment was frozen in time as my hand obeyed the prayers of my mind. I tossed three coins in the air so they could catch the glint of Apollo’s sun before descending into the watery realm of Poseidon.

Yards out, I could see black heads bobbing in the waves. In another time they would have been Apollo’s dolphins answering my ceremonial gifting. I prepared to submerge myself in the sparkling crystal clear sea. As I stood unclothed, an honoring to the Olympians of my human vulnerability, power and strength, I wondered what my actions must have seemed like to the swimming Greeks.

Today, the Greek Orthodox Church has a strangle hold on Greece and my actions would speak of ‘pagan’ worship of the old Olympic Gods and Goddesses. In the realm of materialism, statues of the Olympians are OK to sell to the tourist, but my ‘god,’ offering, prayers, and three coins to the Olympians would smack of idol worship and unchristian like behavior. Heaven forbid, what next? Would this lead to philosophical discourse on street corners questioning current dogmatic beliefs? Or worse, lead to the practice of divination; a well known practice of ancient Lakedaemon, better known as Sparta?

My honoring and prayers were not playful actions, but a philosophical/spiritual/religious practice that I have conducted for more than thirty years whenever I have traveled to foreign countries seeking the mysteries of heaven and earth and indigenous spiritual knowledge. This ritualistic ceremony is a blessing for the journey. It is asking permission to do spiritual work. My actions, words and thoughts were addressed to energetic forces that I know are still alive and conscious and will respond to heartfelt intent. I do not have faith, I do not believe. I have a knowing of this truth.

The three coins symbolized myself plus my two martial/spiritual students who were traveling with me. We had spent the first night in Corinth and were now headed to Sparti (Sparta) with only a stopover at Nemea—the location of Herakles first Labour.

In 1962 as a young 16 year-old, a visual tale literally changed my life—a vision and soul rite of passage, so to speak. It vibrated a deep soul memory within the core of my being that never left and only grew stronger. It opened the gateway for a birthing of a personal mythology of the heroic warrior and the sacrifice of heart that would eventually take me across the world seeking and searching for knowledge and power. The visual tale was the film The 300 Spartans.

It was in 2004 when I had a knowing that I needed to be at Thermopylae on the day of my 60^th birth in 2006. In August of 2006 twenty-one of our students and families, my wife and I and our two adult children journeyed to Greece. Our warrior pilgrimage took us from the sacred sites of Athens onward to Eleusis, location of the Sanctuary of Demeter and its ancient Mystery School and finally to the oracle sites of mountainous Delphi and the Temple of Apollo and Athena. On the day of my birth, we journeyed to the Hot Springs where I walked barefoot the sacred and hallowed grounds of Thermopylae. The sparsely treed ground was hard and scorching as if the memory of that time 2500 years ago was imbedded in the cracked earth beneath my feet. As well, the purified waters of the flowing volcanic sulphurous springs that I dipped my feet into were indescribably hot.

The waters and the rocky ground mirrored to me their witness of that heroic battle. It was a day that was sweet and sour for me as I walked the sacred ground barefoot and watered and purified the soil with the tears of my soul.

In 2006 I needed to be in Thermopylae not Sparta. Now in the fall of 2010 I needed to journey to Sparta. My two students, who had been with me in 2006, asked if we were going back to Thermopylae. An emphatic “NO” was my response. I completed what I needed to do in 2006 and I will never return to the Hot Gates.

To read part II, click here.

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #36:Nikos Panos - Hoplite Shields

2011-09-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #35:Nikos Panos - The Battle of Thermopylae

2011-09-01T03:00:00.000-04:00

'300 Spartans on Thursdays' - (2011) #34: Victor Davis Hanson's, Battle of Delium - Part V

2011-08-25T03:00:00.000-04:00

The two major infantry engagements of the Peloponnesian War were fought at Delium (Delion) in 424 B.C. and Mantinea in 418 B.C. The historian who has analyzed the former battle in more detail than any other is Victor Davis Hanson. Described in great detail in Hanson's Ripples of Ba ttle which was first published in 2003, Delium was also the subject of a five-part series featured in the Military History Quarterly.

Here's part V of the Battle of Delium entitled: Coalition Warfare...enjoy!