Learning From the Battle of Thermopylae

Recently I watched the movie 300. As I watched, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the circumstances in the movie and those we face in today’s world.

The Persian Empire had stretched north, east, and south to the seas, and King Xerxes set his sights on Europe to the west. The Persian army was estimated to be somewhere between several hundred of thousands and millions of troops. Xerxes’ first stop was Greece, and many Greek states had surrendered to the Persians already.

What was at stake? Democracy. Constitutional reform by Athenian philosopher and politician Solon around 600 B.C. laid the basis for evolution from monarchies and oligarchies to more democratic forms of government.

In 501 B.C. another Athenian, Cleisthenes, further reformed the democratic movement. Democracy was on the rise in Greece, and Xerxes and his Persian horde were threatening to wipe this new form of government off of the map.

If you are unfamiliar with the Battle of Thermopylae, which the movie 300 is based on, in 480 B.C., six to seven thousand Greek soldiers led by Leonidas and his 300 elite Spartan soldiers made a heroic stand in the pass of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.. The Greek traitor Ephialtes led a force of Persians to a hidden path around the pass in order to surround the small force. Once Leonidas realized that he was about to be surrounded, he released the other Greek soldiers, leaving only his Spartans and about 400 Theban soldiers. The Spartans were wiped out, but not before they held out for over two days and killed many thousands of the Persians. Had Ephialtes not turned to the enemy, the pass would have held even longer. The stand at Thermopylae bought the Greek army enough time to regroup and defeat the Persians.

Had Leonidas and his Spartans not fought the Persians in Thermopylae, the Greek army would not have been able to defeat the Persians, and who knows where that would have left democracy. But because of their sacrifice over 2,000 years ago, we have the rights and freedom that we enjoy today.

I found several similarities between the events of 480 B.C. and 2007 A.D.

First, the majority of the Greek city states failed to recognize the significance of the upcoming battle. The Carneian festival, the major religious festival for Sparta and other Greek states, was underway. Also, the Olympic games took place at the same time. Most Greeks gave a higher priority to these festivals, and the states that did send troops refused to send any more than a trivial advance guard. Also, many Greek states had already surrendered to Xerxes, not unlike Spain and other nations that have withdrawn their troops from the battle following threats and attacks from terrorist groups.

As was common back then, Leonidas had to consult the Oracle of Delphi, who issued prophecies from the god Apollo. The Oracle told Leonidas that either Sparta would be destroyed, or the king would die. So against the will of his people, Leonidas selected the Spartans with sons old enough to take over the household, and marched to battle.

To compare to today, President Bush recognizes that Islamic extremism must be defeated, while the vast majority of the free world does not. Today’s public opinion is largely against Bush and “his war.” Many Americans now believe this war is unnecessary, and that it was launched on poor intelligence.

Second, the traitorous characters Theron and the Ephors took bribes from the Persian Empire to sabotage the Greeks. Their actions could have spelled disaster for Greek civilization had Leonidas and other states (call them the Coalition of the Willing, if you will) not made their stand.

The liberals draw many similarities to these corrupt characters. The media is delighted to show footage from the enemy of American soldiers being shot by insurgents. They refuse to call our enemy terrorists, preferring more endearing titles such as “freedom fighters.” The media refuses to report any good news on how the military is restoring utilities, providing medical clinics, capturing scores of insurgents, and destroying massive amounts of weapons and explosives. Instead, we are fed a solid stream of Abu Ghraib, Haditha, and the latest roadside bomb and suicide bomber casualties.

Democrats also draw comparison. Most recently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid celebrated their respective Emergency Supplemental Funding bills that instead of being quickly passed so that our fighting forces could be funded for another year, Democrats played politics with the bill, loading it with billions of dollars of pork, hurdles for the Iraqi government, and a withdrawal deadline.

Democrats have done little to show how they support our troops. Their idea of supporting the troops is surrendering to al Qaeda in Iraq, leaving the Middle East in turmoil, abandoning our allies, and turning their backs on the progress and the sacrifice that has been made. For historic examples of how the Democrats support our troops, see Somalia and Vietnam.

Third, the traitor Ephialtes in a way reminds me of Republicans who have abandoned their party to join the liberals. Every bill there seems to be several, including the Emergency Supplemental Funding bill. Were it not for these moderates, I fully believe that Republicans would control both houses of congress for years to come. Remember that conservatism works every time it is tried.

The majority of the free world refuses to recognize the threat to our civilization. Militant Islam is spreading throughout Europe and is causing sweeping changes in their governments. Now, the enemy is setting their sights on the United States, the protector of democracy. Like Leonidas and his Spartans, we must take a stand, even if the rest of the world will not.

Consider Somalia and Afghanistan, the shining beacons of Sharia Law. After years of control by Islamic warlords and Sharia Law, these countries have returned to the seventh century. Here is a great example of how barbaric this system is: recently a woman in Saudi Arabia was abducted at knife point by five men and gang-raped fourteen times. The rape victim’s sentence: ninety lashes for getting in a car of a man that she was not related to. If that is the kind of legal system you want, then by all means stand fast. Allow our beautiful country to fall victim as well. But enjoy your god-given rights and your freedom, bought with American blood, while you still can.

In the meantime, we the people, still hold the power over our government. Educate yourself and vote. Your vote does count. Contact your representative and let them know how you feel about a particular issue. Remember, the Democrats feel they were brought into power on the basis that the country wanted out of Iraq. If you do not contact your representative, how will they know any different? The next time someone spouts anti-American rhetoric, stand up and debate them. Perhaps you might influence them, or maybe someone who is listening. Now is the time for you to act, unless you want the United States (and democracy) to fall just like the great empires and civilizations of the past. Be a Leonidas. It is up to you to make a stand.