[SirJohnBarleycorn]

It was the Persians vs. the Greeks, not just Sparta.

If the Persians had wiped out the Greeks, it would have been a huge step backward in the march toward civilization.

It is to the classical Greeks, and not the Persians, that we owe the beginnings of representative political institutions and the first steps toward a "free republic" type of society.

That so many Americans are completely ignorant of this is a failing of our educational system.

[SolidWood]

You are totally right with your assertion, no doubt about it.

But my point is that Sparta/Greece wasn't the idealistic, uber-masculine civilization it is often portrayed as and the Persian Empire was no primitive, slavish horde of barbarians...
Persia was an highly civilized and cultured nation/empire ruled by mostly benevolent and comparatively civilized despotism. But THIS is the key difference between Persia and Greece. Persia's despotism was the reason for her eventual failure, while the concept of a democracy/republic (though not perfect back then) ultimately has been proven to be the stronger and more advanced one.

Anyway... anyone taking this film as a source for facts is of questionable intelligence to say the least. It is a fantastic story crafted around a real and truly historic event. In my opinion it cheapens the heroism of the Spartans... but art knows no boundaries. But beside being fun entertainment it serves well as an allegory of our current struggle against Middle Eastern despotism and leftist treason.