300 Persia's 9/11 and Greek Jihadists?

Question

In 498 BCE, Athens carried out a terrorist attack on Sardis, a major Persian city, which made 9/11 seem like child's play. Aristagoras, an Athenian, set fire to the "outlying parts" of Sardis trapping most of its population "in a ring of fire." (Herodotus 5:101)

More innocent civilians died at the hands of Aristagoras than Osama bin Laden could ever hope to kill. And just as most of the world supported America's retaliation against Al Qaeda, so did it rally in support of Persia's attack on Athens.

The Spartans were not even targets of Persia's attack, until they violated a universal protocol by killing a Persian messenger who Herodotus claims was asking for Sparta's submission but in reality was probably sent by Persia's king, Xerxes to convey the same message America sent to the entire world after 9/11: "you're either with us, or against us."

The Spartans were Greek Jihadists who lived only to die. They were by all accounts ruthless savages who murdered Greek slaves known as "Helots" just for sport, cultivated a culture of thievery and rape, and practiced infanticide, as the movie '300' rightly points out in its opening scenes. Sparta was not even democratic. It was an oligarchy at best. Despite knowing all this, the West continues to hail the Spartans as the saviors of Western democracy.

Yes, the Spartans died fighting a foreign invader. But so do countless terrorists, yet few would consider them "good guys." Those who do are then not much different from Westerners who cheer for the Spartans.

Persia was drawn into a protracted war against terror, much the same way the U.S. was. Cheering for the Spartans merely because they were underdogs, is like cheering for Osama bin Laden today.

Attack to Naxos was response to Greeks Pirates who used Island as a base for their attacks

Just Like what We did in Palestine and other countries to protect Isreal

Thank you Smith for your scientific answer, It seems you know al ot of History, Tell us some .....

Answer 1

Good point, for all of those ignorant fools, remember, George Washington and Ben Franklin were also once terrorists. If your double-standard minds hail George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Edison as heroes, then why are Osama bin Laden or Yaser Arafat so different.

Let us forget that very few of the people who actually saw the movie even know that Persia is modern-day Iran. Persians were reigning and at the height of their power, socially, academically, militirastically, and economically when the barbaric Europeans were busy killing each other and again when the Europeans were deep within their middle ages, when they actually thought that it was dangerous to mix warm water and soup.

Go laugh at this!

Answer 2

I can certainly understand why people may not like the movie. Having seen it just last night (03/17/07), I can say that I enjoyed it for the action and drama that it offers but nothing else.

There is no doubt in my mind that the movie has extremely little to do with historical fact. But we must keep in mind that the movie is based on a graphic novel not on history.

The fact of the matter is that Persia was a civilized, well-educated and rich empire, there is no doubt. This is according to history.

The portrayal of Persians, as what looked like jaba the hut from star wars and other zombie looking creatures from Resident Evil are only a part of the vivid imagination of Frank Miller and not in anyway which way a part of history.

The bottom line is this; Persia conducted a military operation and by all accounts lost at Thermopolis. Truth be told that the Spartans were numbered. It is true that there were only 300 but there were also another 700 "Thesprotis" as they are called in Greek. These people fought and died against a superior army.

By the same account, soldiers in the Persian army also fought and died. Who mind you made up one of the largest, civilized, educated, well trained and equiped armies ever assembled in history. It was a battle of men against men. NOT a battle of star wars characters vs. Sparta.

As a Greek, it is not the first time I have seen Hollywood make a movie that is grossly over exaggerated and insulting ie. Troy, Alexander etc. But that is the point, it is meant to sell tickets and it is after all entertainment nothing more.

History has nothing to do with Hollywood and if anyone thinks that there is something that connects Frank Miller's graphic novel to the history of Thermopolis, Leonidas or the Spartans, well they are drunk.

The only thing that is remotely close is the fact that there were 300 Spartans that fought.

In the end it was a good action flick. Don’t take Hollywood to seriously, as I said above they never really made movies that did not offend someone. i.e. Braveheart, Passion of the Christ, Kingdom of Heaven etc.....enough said.

Lastly, in my personal opinion when movies are made about cultures or history I think that they should be based on fact and not fiction and that history or culture should not be permitted to be exploited. But then, how could the movie and entertainment business survive and make a profit?

Answer 3

The West. The jihadists have been defeated earlier 9/11. people who would desire to blow themselves as much as get interest have already lost. They never had a prayer of prevailing something. They have been the Lords of the Goat herders of Afghanistan. the only way we can lose is that if we proceed to combat a "conflict" against invisible men devoid of ability. "Jihadists in basic terms would desire to be as quickly as out of each "x" tries to succeed" yet what do they win while they're effective? Bin weighted down's attack gained him a visit to the backside of the sea.

Answer 4

Your modern definitions do not apply to the ancients. So your comparison is ultimatley flawed and a little ridiculous, the Spartans are certainly not comparable to the Jihadists, learn some real history instead of watching some movie.

Answer 5

Typically, it appears you forgot the Persian invasion of the Greek island of Naxos in 499 BC. The Siege of Sardis was in 498 BC.

Not to trivialize your point, but the Persians started it.

Answer 6

The timing of this movie's release obviously has to do with building a bloodlust against the Iranians.

Answer 7

Despite the use of a question mark at the end of your first sentence, may I ask if there is an actual question in here somewhere?