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Sparta has long been the topic of cultural inspiration. Such admiration of the Spartans is referred to as Laconophilia. In modern popular culture this is typically centered on the Battle of Thermopylae, which is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time.
[edit] Battle of Thermopylae in popular culture
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The Battle of Thermopylae has long been the topic of cultural inspiration, as it is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all time. This "against all odds" story is passed to us from the writings of the Greek Herodotus, who was not present at the battle himself. He relates the story of 300 Spartans and 700 Thespiae defending the Pass of Thermopylae against almost "2 million" [sic] Persians for three days.[1]
The development of the English Public Schools was influenced by the schooling of Spartan children.[2]
[edit] Novels
| Author |
Novel |
Description |
| Jerry Pournelle |
Novels set in the Empire of Man Universe |
Go Tell the Spartans (1991) Prince of Sparta (1993). The seat of the Empire of Man is located on the planet Sparta, not Earth. An Emperor at the time of the Mote in God's Eye(1974) stories (co-authored with Larry Niven) is named Leonidas. |
| Jonathan Swift |
Gulliver's Travels, 1726 |
In the third book, in a part dealing with summoned spirits, Gulliver writes: "A helot of Agesilaus made us a dish of Spartan broth, but I was not able to get down a second spoonful." |
| Gene Wolfe |
Soldier of the Mist, 1986
Soldier of Arete, 1989 |
Narrated by Latro, a soldier who fought on the Persian side at Plataea (after Thermopylae) and suffered a serious head wound there, which makes him forget everything after 24 hours. |
| Steven Pressfield |
Gates of Fire,1998 |
Focuses on a boy, Citizen of a destroyed Greek city-state who goes to Sparta, where he becomes a helot and squire to a Spartan. He learns much about Spartan culture, and accompanies the Spartan force to Thermopylae. The story is told in flashbacks, as told by him to Xerxes's scribe while he is a prisoner of the Persians. |
| Film |
Date |
Description |
| The 300 Spartans |
1962 |
A dramatization of the Battle of Thermopylae. |
| Troy |
2004 |
Sparta is one of the invading Greek city-states to besiege Troy. Sparta's famous king was Menelaus at the time, and he led his army in the invasion such that he might recover his kidnapped wife, Helen. |
| 300 |
2007 |
A highly stylized recounting of the Battle of Thermopylae based on the Graphic Novel by Frank Miller. The film depicts the struggle of King Leonidas I and his personal guard against the massive Persian army under Xerxes I. |
| Meet the Spartans |
2008 |
A spoof of 300 |
[edit] Video games
| Developer |
Year |
Video Game |
Description |
| Mattel |
1982 |
Space Spartans |
The first talking game for the Intellivision, the guide related that like the Spartans of old, you had to hang on as long as possible to give others time for a counterattack.[3] |
| Bungie Studios |
|
Marathon (computer game series) and Halo (series) |
Bungie games often contain classical references. Among the references to Sparta, Marathon 2 contains a level called "My Own Private Thermopylae" and the main character in the Halo series is a military combatant trained/created in the SPARTAN-II program, which is a futuristic equivalent to the training Spartan children received. |
| Creative Assembly |
2005 |
Spartan: Total Warrior |
The protagonist is a soldier in the Spartan army. Notable characters from Greek mythology and history also make an appearance in the game (ie. King Leonidas). |
| Firaxis Games |
2000 |
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri |
One of the seven factions in the game is named The Spartan Federation, and follows a similar ideology and culture as the original Sparta. |
| SCEA |
2005 |
God of War and God of War II |
The protagonist, Kratos, is portrayed as an ex-commander of the Spartan Army. In the sequel, Kratos is shown guiding the Spartans in wars across the world, and even joins in on the Spartan assault against Rhodes. |
| Slitherine |
2002 |
Spartan |
A turn based strategy game set in late Sparta. |
| Slitherine |
2004 |
Gates of Troy |
The sequel to Spartan. One of the scenarios is the battle of Thermopylae, where the player must to resist the Persian army for 20 turns. |
| collision studios |
2007 |
300: March to Glory |
A video game based upon the film with the same name, which in turn is based upon the Battle of Thermopylae. |
[edit] Merchandise
| Developer |
Year |
Merchandise |
Description |
| SPARTAN Athletic |
2007 |
SPARTAN Fight Gear |
A line of clothing and training equipment geared towards combat sports enthusiasts and mixed martial arts athletes.[4] |
[edit] References
