It's not really known right now whether or not the blood of the Spartans lives on. Traces may be left all over the world of their civilization. Yet they made history as being brave, powerful, and loyal. I like to believe that I am descended from the Spartans, especially since I don't know over three fourths of what I am. Who wouldn't want to be descended from the most powerful warrior race that ever existed? Europe had their knights, China had their warriors, Japan had their Ninja's and Samurai's. But Greece had Spartans. An unbeatable army, whom which only three hundred wiped out 200,000 Persians. Imagine what our race could accomplish if there were as many of us now as there were then. It's up to us, those who remember them, to carry on their legend. And like Leonidas said, REMEMBER them. That was then. This is history. THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!

Please commend on what you think of my little speech up there. I honestly mean every word of it.

inspiring speech here

like it

Thanks. Spartans rock.

do more
reading it gets me mentally ready to work out

Sure. It inspires me too. Not sure what the name will be, so if you can't find it
by my name(Spartanwarrior235), send me a private message(pm).

They had their arses kicked a couple of times & a huge revolt by their "slaves" which caused numerous problems & played havoc with their abilities to fight wars or expand their empire.

There were more than 300 at that battle, IIRC around 7000 in total made up of much smaller "clans" who fought "under" the Spartans & were told to evacuate during the final Persian push so as to leave enough forces to fight at a secondary battle which proved a success for the Helonic(sp) "nations".

They`re was also some evidence that they had a large number of red haired individuals which (if going with the alternative history buffs) points to either a galic(sp) or Nordic genealogy.

THIS IS MARTHA! too funny

Well, that may be. We can't ever tell, really. I prefer to think that there were just 300.

Aware that his force was being outflanked, Leonidas dismissed the bulk of the Greek army, and remained to guard the rear with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans and perhaps a few hundred others, the vast majority of whom were killed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae

Cerca Trova "seek and you shall find"

Hm. Good point.
But even so, it's wikipedia. You can change what it says anytime.
Not saying your wrong, of course. But I can't completely say your right. All history I've read and
looked at says that there were just 300 Spartans.

dude, not to labour the point, but it IS the actual story not just wikipedia. you should maybe re-read the stories. Most of them highlight the 300 spartans part because it makes good reading but it was an army of 7000 approx. like cookie mentioned. Even when Leonidas dismissed the entire forces for the last stand after he learned they were about to be surrounded not all of the non-spartans left. Around 700 Thespians stood and fought with the 300 spartans. Even the movie 300 recalls this part of the story.

It doesnt really matter though, the actual story is still impressive. The spartans and the non spartans who fought, especially on the last day, were serious warriors and vastly outnumbered. The fact that they held out for so long is a testament to their strategy and bravery.

You know, I do recall other warriors in the movie. But from what it says, the Spartans were the main fighting force. The others didn't fight as much, and like it said, the Spartans had more men than the others did.

only in your mind.

Okay, I looked into it. There WAS more than that. But the three hundred Spartans were the most famous as to the fact that alone they held the pass for two days, killing up to 200,000 Persians. So you guys are right, but I'm also right. There was more men than I said, but I was only thinking of the two days the Spartans held it, not the previous five days when the others held it. So we can basically say that we both were right.

The Greek army, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, was about ten thousand strong and in position at Thermopylae, when the Persians arrived. Xerxes was incredulous that they would take a stand against his immense army. After impatiently waiting four days while warning them to surrender, he launched a massive attack.

The contingent of 700 Thespians, led by their general Demophilus, refused to leave with the other Greeks but committed themselves to the fight. Also present were the 400 Thebans, and probably the helots that had accompanied the Spartans.

According to Herodotus, at the cost to the Persians of up to 20,000 fatalities

I think you need to take off your rose tinted spectacles.

As great as the feat was that they achieved at that battle I think you are reading too much into the whole "myth/legend" of it/them. The Spartans lost battles, were quite a paranoid civilisation with their laws & taking/keeping of slaves (helots), they failed to adapt (as most great civilisations have done) & subsequently disappeared into the history books along with the Greece, Macedonia & the Roman Empires all of which came after the Spartans.

"learn from the past live in the present plan for the future"
— Audrey Farrell