The Shadow of the East
The Persian host arrives at the mouth of the pass, a sea of silk and iron stretching to the horizon.
The Chronicler
The earth itself groaned under the weight of a million boots. High above the Malian Gulf, the King of Kings looked down upon the 'Hot Gates'—and the tiny pebble of resistance blocking his path.
Xerxes I
Look at them... brushing their hair and exercising in the sun. Do they think this is a festival, Mardonius? They are 300 men standing before a god.
The Chronicler
Xerxes’ voice carried a cold amusement. He beckoned his herald to deliver the ultimatum to the Spartan line.
King Leonidas I
Tell your master that we have heard his demands. He asks for our spears? Tell him... Molon labe. Come and take them.
The Wall of Bronze
The first wave of Persian infantry crashes against the Greek phalanx.
The Chronicler
The air turned to wood and bronze. The Persians charged, a wall of wicker shields and colorful tunics meeting the unyielding edge of Lacedaemon.
King Leonidas I
Push! Let them feel the weight of every Spartan mother’s hope! Give them no ground!
The Chronicler
The King’s command echoed through the pass. Beside him, the officer Dienekes saw a messenger scrambling toward them, eyes wide with terror.
Dienekes
Save your breath, boy. Is the sky falling? Or just more of Xerxes' toys?
In the Shade
The Persians release a massive volley of arrows to darken the sky.
The Chronicler
Then came the arrows. Thousands upon thousands, launched at once, blotting out the Mediterranean sun until it was night at mid-day.
Dienekes
Good! The sun is too hot for a proper fight anyway. If they hide the sun, then we shall fight in the shade!
The Chronicler
The Spartans laughed under their shields, a sound more terrifying to the Persians than any war cry.
The Path of Treachery
Nightfall on the second day. A local man approaches the Persian camp.
The Chronicler
But courage cannot guard against betrayal. In the dark of the moon, a shadow crept into Xerxes' tent. A man of Greece, with the heart of a serpent.
Xerxes I
Tell me again, Greek. A path? Behind the mountain? You would lead my Immortals to the throat of your own people for a handful of gold?
The Chronicler
The traitor Ephialtes nodded. Leonidas, sensing the shift in the wind, called his final council.
King Leonidas I
The way is lost. To the rest of the Greeks—go. Save yourselves for the battles to come. We will stay. We are Spartans. We do not retreat.
The Last Breakfast
The morning of the third day. The Spartans prepare for their final stand.
The Chronicler
Dawn broke, cold and clear. The Spartans knew the Immortals were behind them. They did not pray. They ate.
King Leonidas I
Eat well, men! Have a good breakfast... for tonight, we dine in Hades!
The Chronicler
Dienekes adjusted his helmet, looking at the sun one last time. He spoke to his King.
Dienekes
It has been an honor, Leonidas. Let us show them what it means to be free men.
Immortality
The final moments of the battle as the Spartans are surrounded.
The Chronicler
They fought until their spears shattered. Then they fought with swords. When their swords broke, they fought with hands and teeth, a whirlwind of blood and fury.
King Leonidas I
Sparta... remember us!
The Chronicler
The King fell under a mountain of arrows. But his death was a victory. The Persians had won the pass, but they had lost their fear of the Greeks.
The Chronicler
Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by... that here, obedient to their laws, we lie.
The Voices
The Chronicler
narrator
King Leonidas I
primary
Talk
Xerxes I
secondary
Talk
Dienekes
secondary
Talk