04 March 2007

We are all Spartans...


The newest blood and glory movie ( a remake) is coming to town. It is the 300 and is a stylized version of the battle of Thermopalye. The Spartans stood against a horde of Persians under Xerxes. The Spartans were led by Leonidas Leonidas, and a core group of 300 soldiers (and several thousand allies). Leonidas was told he was doomed and indeed fell in battle. The Persians were defeated and Sparta was saved.
A recent posting on Drudge Report has reporters making analogies between Bush and the two leaders in the movies. Considering this is an ancient story and a remake at that. The question seems secondary.
However, I do have an opinion. Bush is Leonidas and we are Sparta. I really don't know who Xerxes is in the modern context, perhaps simply a representation of the backward nature of some of our opponents.
Let me offer a few comparisons;
1) Bush (although not falling in battle) , will suffer a similar political fate for a time. That is until history returns to judge our actions.
2) The Spartans sent an all volunteer force to deal with an unpopular, but critical, conflict.
3) Leonidas is played by Gerard Butler (initials G.B.) - okay, that's a stretch.
I strongly believe that this conflict will define the course of the world for the next century. I think it will be made moot by creeping technology. For example, Honda is launching a hydrogen car in 2008 in California. America has arisen, not with a bloody vengance, but with an eye to its security through energy and independence.
Once again the flailings of the trailing edge of the planet will be disregarded. Hopefully, these societies will embrace true equality and reexamine some of their extreme social practices. Until then, count me among the 300.

11 comments:

ep417 said...

Don't forget to mention that just like Sparta, everyone in the American Armed Forces has a warrior/lover. Oh. Wait. They don't talk about that in the movie........

sonicfrog said...

Uhm, don't forget to mention the "300" graphic novel, on which the movie is based, was written by Director Frank Miller in 1998, 2 + years BEFORE G.W.B. became (stole, depending on your political affiliation) the POTUS. When I heard Drudge wander down this path I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. But then he played an audio clip from Missy Hillary. The Sonic-Mate had to rush me to the hospital, 'cause I do declare y'all, I split my gut sideways listening to her effect something that was 'sposed to be a southern accent!

LTC John said...

We have better armor than the Spartans too. And the Persians sneak in the shadows, instead of shooting so many arrows they block out the sun...

Citizen Deux said...

Yes, the infamous "brotherhood in arms". I truly can't tell what historical truth lies behind that, however, it is frequently your squadmate that you lay down your life for in the heat of battle, rarely the flag.

Sonic - concur with the nod on the 300 origins (forgetting the 1968 movie), however, like V for Vendetta, that was a graphic novel written about Thatcher which was updated...

ep417 said...

Um, well here is some historical facts to bone up on. As it were....

http://www.answers.com/
topic/homosexuality-in-the-militaries-of-ancient-greece

Citizen Deux said...

Another interesting view of Spartan relationships, with all genders

sonicfrog said...

"300" is very much an allegory, a fantastical story base on a real event. It's easy to place the veneer of modern events over it and look at the similarities, but that's why allegories thrive in storytelling. Yes, "V" was updated to include Iraq war references and causalities not favorable to the US. That direct type of issue injection would be very hard to introduce into "300" given the subject matter. Plus Frank Miller is not fond of changing his work much when translating it from written / drawn page to film.

Citizen Deux said...

I don't think the original author or "V" was too keen on it either. But ask any 20 something who Margaret Thatcher was and why she was significant and you will get a blank stare.

Oh crap, now I am sounding old!

ep417 said...

um. Sounding? SOUNDING?
Don't forget my favorite line from BEDROOMS AND HALLWAYS-"Margaret Thatcher put the "C" back in conservatism...."

Citizen Deux said...

Ouch....

sonicfrog said...

Hey, it's my B-Day!!!!