In the movie, the King says this is the birth of democracy and that democracy is not free, that it requires sacrifice. I completely understand the liberals concern with the concept of sacrifice for freedom.
I saw the movie this weekend, it is excellent.
In the movie, the King says this is the birth of democracy and that democracy is not free, that it requires sacrifice. Haven't seen the movie but if I recall my Greek history, the '300' were Spartans. Sparta was never a democracy --- not even close. It was a military dictatorship more closely akin to Imperial Japan than to Athens of Golden Age.