This is Sparta

"Come and get them" - 300

Zack Snyder

In 480 BC, 300 Spartans commanded by King Leonidas stood at the Strait of Thermopylae (the “Hot Gates”) to defend Greece against the invading Persian army of Xerxes I .

Xerxes’ army numbered more than 5 million men (Herodotus, Histories).

Taking advantage of superior Spartan warrior skills and organization (the phalanx), and the topography of the battlefield (a narrow track where only one chariot could pass through at a time), Leonidas and his 300 inflicted serious damage to the Persian during 3 days - in one of history’s most dramatic last stands.

When asked to lay down the weapons, Leonidas was reported to say “Come and get them” (in Greek: molon labe, which could also mean something like “over my dead body”).

The videos below are the reenactment of such episode, from the movie 300, directed by Zack Snyder.


Persian General: “Spartans! Lay down your weapons!”

Leonidas: “Persians! Come and get them!”

Brief version, for the faint of heart:

Uncut version (warning: abundant mutilations and blood)

They all died in the end - but will be immortal in the memory of men.

About:
- "Come and get them": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molon_labe

- The Battle of Thermopylae: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae

- The phalanx: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_formation

- The movie 300: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_is_Sparta

A nice day to you all... Spartans.