Thermopylae Revisited - Kolonos Hill and the 300 Spartans (9) - Walking up Kolonos Hill

Dude without that movie I myself wouldn’t haven’t a clue who Leonidas was or what the Spartans did. Yes it may be be inaccurate but I thought it was a fantastic movie.

Just so you know, the movie 300 is based on a graphic novel. This is why most history buffs don’t have a problem with it. It makes it very clear that it’s based on lore and not actual events. Also, some parts of the movie are historically accurate. For example the famous “so we will fight in the shade” and the the “come and take them” quotes are in the movie. Movies like that are actually quite helpful I feel, cause they might make someone who wasn’t interested in history initially to maybe wanna take a deeper look.

There are maybe Five or Six moments in the History of the world that truly shaped the future of all mankind. The battle at Thermopylae would be one of them.

At 5:45, "..you definitely feel something when you are here." I know that feeling of which you speak. I was in Quebec City and visited the 'Plains of Abraham', the battlefield where Wolfe and the British defeated Montcalm and the French forces in the decisive battle for what was to become Canada. A part of you is transported mentally back to the time of the battle, you feel completely humbled and under the spell of something beyond your ken, beyond your control. Something cosmic.

Just amazing that you can visit places like this and actul get a feel of what took place and to walk the battlefield .....outstanding......

Feeling a little bit strange! Are you kidding me, of course you do. You are standing in most possibly THE most important place on earth.

that 'dreadful hollywood film' was shot on a sound stage in montreal. the film 'the 300 Spartans' with richard egan as Leonidas, filmed in the 60's, was actually much better. also, get and read the book 'Thermopylae' by paul cartledge. it is incredibly informative and the best book for the 'facts' on the Spartans at Thermopylae i have ever read. meanwhile, this is great stuff in these videos stephen. thank you. will soon be heading to the hot gates, which i have been meaning to visit since the 60's...

Fascinating thank you for posting

good stuff thanks

300 movie is based on graphic novel (a comic book) by Frank Miller and that is based on this history story but not strictly copying it. You can't expect that something based on something and that something is based on something else will be historicly accurate. But I love that movie, it's really badass movie.

the battle field is to the left on hill next to mountain...the wall was found in 1939 there....

Come on, 300 film was great. It was the mythical version of the story. But, apparently, the Phocians had built a defensive wall some time before the 300 arrived.

Can you go along the path that the Persian used to access the rear of the Spartan camp ?

I understand the disdain for the film 300, however, watching when I was younger made me curious about who the Spartans actually were. My dad didn't waste any time in teaching me when I was a kid to do research on great historical figures or people. Don't believe the movies because they always over-dramatize it.

In late 19th century,archeologist discover mass grave of persian warriors,is there any pucture?

I agree....Horrendous film. Im going to check out the one with Richard Eagan.

You should watch the old film "The 300 Spartans 1962" I prefer that to the 300 film.

МОЛОН!! ЛАВЕ!!

Place must be loaded with souls not at rest? Have had that sensation many times at civil war battlefields.

The Film was also Incorrect with the amount of Spartans there were. I have read that Scholars and Archaeologists figure there was more like 1,900 Spartans there instead of just 300.