300 Page #5

...before we decide to make our wall

just a little bit bigger.

No.

Not slaves.

Your women will be slaves.

Your sons, your daughters...

...your elders will be slaves!

But not you, no.

By noon this day you will be dead men.

A thousand nations of the Persian Empire

descend upon you.

Our arrows will blot out the sun.

Then we will fight in the shade.

The wall is solid.

It'll do the job of funneling the Persians

into the Hot Gates.

Have the men found any route

through the hills to our back?

None, sire.

There is such a route, good king.

Just pass that western ridge.

It's an old goat path.

The Persians could use it to outflank us.

Not one step closer, monster!

Wise king, I humbly request an audience.

- I'll skewer you where you stand.

- I gave no such order.

Forgive the captain.

He is a good soldier...

...but a bit short on manners.

There is nothing to forgive, brave king.

I know what I look like.

You wear the crimson of a Spartan.

I am Ephialtes, born of Sparta.

My mother's love

led my parents to flee Sparta...

...lest I be discarded.

Your shield and armor?

My father's, sir.

I beg you, bold king,

to permit me...

...to redeem my father's name

by serving you in combat.

My father trained me to feel no fear,

to make spear and shield and sword...

...as much a part of me

as my own beating heart.

I will earn my father's armor,

noble king...

...by serving you in the battle.

A fine thrust.

I will kill many Persians.

Raise your shield.

- Sire?

- Raise your shield as high as you can.

Your father should have taught you

how our phalanx works.

We fight...

...as a single, impenetrable unit.

That is the source of our strength.

Each Spartan protects the man

to his left...

...from thigh to neck with his shield.

A single weak spot

and the phalanx shatters.

From thigh to neck, Ephialtes.

I am sorry, my friend.

- But not all of us were made to be soldiers.

- But I--

- If you want to help in a Spartan victory...

- Yes.

...clear the battlefield of the dead,

tend the wounded, bring them water...

...but as for the fight itself...

...I cannot use you.

You....

Mother! Father! You were wrong!

You are wrong!

Leonidas! You are wrong!

Dispatch the Phocians to the goat path...

...and pray to the gods

nobody tells the Persians about it.

Earthquake.

No, captain.

Battle formations.

This is where we hold them.

This is where we fight!

This is where they die!

Earn these shields, boys!

Remember this day, men...

...for it will be yours for all time.

Spartans!

Lay down your weapons!

Persians!

Come and get them!

Hold!

Give them nothing...

...but take from them everything!

Steady!

Push!

Is that the best you can do?

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