Spartans at the Gates of Fire

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  • Опубліковано 27 чер 2014
  • This rare but excellent documentary explores life in the great ancient city-state of Sparta and its legendary clash with Persia in 480 BC. Uploaded for educational purposes only. Any advertisements that appear are beyond my control.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 687

  • @oasis6767
    @oasis6767  5 років тому +30

    Please visit our new site for the serious history enthusiast: www.historyroom.org We have recent history, old history, ancient history, debates, reviews, quizzes and much more. You might even consider contributing something of your own! See you there!

    • @evoligiondenier9457
      @evoligiondenier9457 5 років тому +4

      Just my personal opinion, but, the Spartans showed up at Marathon a day late and a dollar short. Pride gave them no option but to do their utmost this time.

    • @NobleKorhedron
      @NobleKorhedron 4 роки тому +1

      @Miki Mouse Before; this is 480 B.C, 10 years after the Battle of Marathon.
      Alexander died in 323 B.C, having, over the past 10 years, conquered most of the Greek peninsula, parts of the Balkans, and, finally, the Achameanid Persian Empire.

  • @Mr_AlterEagle
    @Mr_AlterEagle 2 роки тому +25

    Still, after 2500 years, this act of pure heroism gives you goosebumps.

    • @AchillesofAchilles
      @AchillesofAchilles Рік тому

      I wish I could of seen it. I bet it was very gruesome ofc but I bet it was more remarkable than we could ever imagine.

    • @rtdfvbtr
      @rtdfvbtr Рік тому +1

      it was their rules - if you were raised from birth to die like this - its just another day.

    • @zaberfang
      @zaberfang 7 місяців тому

      To them, it was Tuesday.

  • @amirz8649
    @amirz8649 3 роки тому +67

    As a persian guy, I have to say we proud of our ancient History. After 30 centuries, a few countries in this area stay. Thirty centuries later, few countries from that era are still standing. Including Iran (persia) and Greece. I send my respect to Greek🙋 friends

    • @nikolaostouloumis1573
      @nikolaostouloumis1573 3 роки тому +4

      Respect from me too Persian friend. I always keep saying that you just wrote. Only few nations since them survived.🇬🇷🇮🇷✋✌️👍🙏

    • @SpartanInstruments
      @SpartanInstruments 3 роки тому +15

      My respect to Persians also. Unfortunately Islam has destroyed your culture and Christianity has destroyed mine.

    • @nikolaostouloumis1573
      @nikolaostouloumis1573 3 роки тому +1

      @@SpartanInstruments
      Αυτή η γαμημ. άρρωστη θρησκεία/κοσμοθεωρία βύθισε στο σκοτάδι πολλούς πολιτισμούς ,όπως ο Χριστιανισμός κάποτε αλλά ακόμα χειρότερα. Γεια σου συνΕλληνα Χρήστο.

    • @amirz8649
      @amirz8649 3 роки тому

      🙌🙋🙏🙏🙏

    • @SpartanInstruments
      @SpartanInstruments 3 роки тому +2

      @cj dub All that you mention as "culture", Christianity has destroyed. Holocausts, slavery, deviancy etc are all condoned by your God in your holly books. Have you read them ? Please do read them. It's the best way to become an atheist.

  • @LuzMaria95
    @LuzMaria95 3 роки тому +25

    I love the Vikings and the Spartans. I love the fearlessness and the bravery. Very inspiring.

    • @PMMagro
      @PMMagro 2 роки тому +1

      They are very different though, Vikings focusing on trade and naval activity...

    • @perseuslove1335
      @perseuslove1335 Рік тому +2

      Be careful. Sparta was only capable of the societal standards it upheld because a population of slaves did the manufacturing, trading, etcetera. The population of their captives outnumbered their own. It’s cool to idolize some of their values, but also keep in mind that these were a people that enslaved an entire neighboring nation just to build a slave population.

    • @derrickguffey4775
      @derrickguffey4775 Рік тому +3

      @@perseuslove1335 Don't forget that slavery was commonplace in the ancient world. So it's no surprise and far from shocking that there should be an entire population of slaves. Look at what the Vikings did how many thousands were enslaved by them? And consider the Slavic people guess where that name came from. Don't condemn Sparta when there were many ancient people did the same thing.

    • @derrickguffey4775
      @derrickguffey4775 Рік тому

      @@PMMagro And they traded in slaves among other things and those naval activities were focused on the slave trade and raids to capture slaves among other valuables. So one was no better or worse than the other.

    • @johnlewis9158
      @johnlewis9158 Рік тому

      No more fearless than the Mongols the Zulu's the Samurai and the medieval knight, But perhaps and that's very much up for debate more skilled

  • @AT-wj5sw
    @AT-wj5sw 5 років тому +52

    my mother was born in Skoura, Greece. it is a village less than ten miles from anicent Sparta. Spartan Pride! NO retreat NO Surrender. The mentality lives on.

    • @user-ti3pv1du6k
      @user-ti3pv1du6k 5 років тому +11

      Shut up and sit down

    • @wespaul9345
      @wespaul9345 5 років тому +7

      One can have nothing but the utmost respect for the pride of Sparta.

    • @xpeeriments6452
      @xpeeriments6452 5 років тому +4

      That means you aren't Spartan you are a peasant in the spartan eye. my great grandmother was born in Sparta, so retreat then surrender

    • @_theporkchopexpress
      @_theporkchopexpress 4 роки тому +2

      I wonder what the Spartans would think of the SJWs of today...?

    • @harrymorrison3704
      @harrymorrison3704 4 роки тому

      A T pretty sure Spartans enslaved many people in places surrounding there city

  • @vCLOWNSHOESv
    @vCLOWNSHOESv 3 роки тому +11

    To me the most amazing part of this is how well history was preserved.

    • @jdclarke47
      @jdclarke47 Рік тому +1

      Never forget the winners write the history...

    • @vCLOWNSHOESv
      @vCLOWNSHOESv Рік тому

      @@jdclarke47 They may have written the story to show themselves in a favorable light but we're getting the history that was written back then not digging up fossils and trying to guess what happened.

  • @RM-pg4js
    @RM-pg4js 4 роки тому +26

    Lots of people dont know that Leonidas was around 50 years old when the battle was fought

    • @haroldkane9714
      @haroldkane9714 4 роки тому +2

      Also he had a long and deadly feud with ray Charles

    • @liberationlondon5946
      @liberationlondon5946 3 роки тому +1

      Leonidas was 52 years old and Xerxes 38,

    • @EliSkylander
      @EliSkylander 2 роки тому +2

      It's never too late to be a badass.

    • @sean5558
      @sean5558 2 роки тому +2

      He took his daily mens Centrum multivitamin and his Total T for testosterone support

    • @RM-pg4js
      @RM-pg4js 2 роки тому

      @@liberationlondon5946 i think you are right

  • @kedololx
    @kedololx 2 роки тому +13

    I love that it's a REAL STORY. This actually happened. Something from a legend or myth. I can't believe that such people existed. A small city state with such comradery, bravery, love for their country, that'd they die happily to defend it.
    *edit* i just saw the sickest part of this video. 42:24. They appointed a SPARTAN for the admiral of the Athens fleet that was to block the Persian navy. And they did this because Spartans were to NEVER retreat. AND THE ATHENIANS AGREED AND WENT WITH IT. They knew how formidable Spartans were, and were humble enough to set aside their pride for the greater good.

    • @joetatoesniff9525
      @joetatoesniff9525 2 роки тому

      Wow! Amazing courage

    • @AchillesofAchilles
      @AchillesofAchilles Рік тому

      Yet our society becomes weaker and more skeptical. Not a good mix, neither are good, let alone mixed and controlled by a power most are unaware of.

  • @stevenserial4080
    @stevenserial4080 7 років тому +31

    Some serious carnage those Spartans sure knew how to dish out punishment.

  • @Filterite5
    @Filterite5 2 роки тому +6

    I love history. Thanks for uploading

  • @jimbeam4140
    @jimbeam4140 10 років тому +15

    It's Sunday night and I want something to watch. Thanks Alan for coming through with a great show.

  • @NewYorkCityBoxing
    @NewYorkCityBoxing 4 роки тому +8

    Love it! This is exactly the type of videos I search for on UA-cam.

  • @loszhor
    @loszhor 5 років тому +4

    Bless you BBC, you always make such good docs!

  • @Realmkeeper12
    @Realmkeeper12 8 років тому +81

    The Spartans humiliated the Persians forever and ever : ) An immortal vixtory.

    • @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447
      @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447 7 років тому +3

      HolyKnight12 they were allies a few years after Plateau!

    • @milantomic1799
      @milantomic1799 7 років тому +3

      And? What about them being allies? Do you expect them to be in eternal war? Did you expect Sparta to invade Persia, or whatnot? The Persian invasion of Hellas failed and relations went back to 'normal'. Persia meddles in Greek affairs while it doesn't exert direct control over the Greeks.

    • @tonytemple6798
      @tonytemple6798 4 роки тому +1

      @@milantomic1799 and they went on to be possible the best empire of all time let ppl have there own gods and keep they lands the movie was so fake lol but ya the Spartans took the day but they still did pretty well lol if you did get that the pretty well was a understand statement

    • @ap24085
      @ap24085 4 роки тому +1

      @@octaviancaesarhibernicus4447 Plateau????? what is that idiot????? Plataies, or Plataea as you people call it because you can't pronounce Greek. Now, go back to kindergarten.

    • @ap24085
      @ap24085 4 роки тому +6

      @Alpo Brand yes, MORON, they got killed, but how many did they kill?? It's because of them that europe did not become persian territory. Don't talk about people you don't measure up to. And if you can't understand the significance of Thermopylae, then you are a cretin, you don't have knowledge nor perspective.

  • @Randall2023
    @Randall2023 4 роки тому +11

    One of favourite moments in history

  • @jameswhite5720
    @jameswhite5720 4 роки тому +34

    Spartan women to their husbands and sons: "Return with your shield. Or on it." Tough love.

    • @angelovalavanis2314
      @angelovalavanis2314 4 роки тому +2

      How offensive it might have been for the men... 😂😂😂😂

    • @LuzMaria95
      @LuzMaria95 3 роки тому +3

      @@angelovalavanis2314 not really. That was the norm. Come back alive or come back dead after fighting valiantly for your people and your country. You were meant to fight to the death. Coming back alive was just lucky because you were able to be a great warrior and live to tell the tale. Basically, fight the whole way through and don’t puss out. Lol

    • @angelovalavanis2314
      @angelovalavanis2314 3 роки тому +3

      @@LuzMaria95 I know, I was just making fun of most of today's men who would have found something like that "offensive"... 😄

    • @LuzMaria95
      @LuzMaria95 3 роки тому +3

      @@angelovalavanis2314 lmaooo 🤣 Yeah IKR!! I hate that because it’s true! 🤦‍♀️ they definitely don’t live up to Spartan standards lol

    • @vCLOWNSHOESv
      @vCLOWNSHOESv 3 роки тому

      Spartan women were held in high regard unlike many others in history. Men had more rights but they had more overall equality than women from other cultures.

  • @jonobrien3445
    @jonobrien3445 10 років тому +8

    Alan you never go wrong. This is another good one.

  • @nikolaostouloumis1573
    @nikolaostouloumis1573 3 роки тому +14

    As a descendant of these men I feel and I am very small and a little in front of them! what they did is the supreme ,the absolute sacrifice for the homeland and their ideals and their beliefs. I thrill each and every time i think of them.

    • @johnlaslett5339
      @johnlaslett5339 2 роки тому +1

      ΣΠΑΡΤΙΑΤΕΣ?!?!? Τι επαγγέλλεστε? ΑΧ ΩΧ ΑΧ ΩΧ ΑΧ Ω

    • @idontSHT
      @idontSHT Рік тому

      You will have your revenge on Turks soon or later

    • @nikolaostouloumis1573
      @nikolaostouloumis1573 Рік тому

      @@idontSHT yes, sooner or later. Everything seems that we are going on war or conflict

    • @idontSHT
      @idontSHT Рік тому

      @@nikolaostouloumis1573 I’m from Georgia, we support you. Spartan spirit and Socrates philosophy lived in you guys. Soon all Christian vs Muslim vs Jewish cunts and worse of them all atheists will start. We will come on top like we always have 👊⚡️

    • @idontSHT
      @idontSHT Рік тому +1

      @@nikolaostouloumis1573 god bless us all 🙌 happy old New Years 🤲

  • @Patrick77487
    @Patrick77487 3 роки тому +2

    Excellent film, well done. Thanks for posting. The legend marches onward.

  • @CAROLUSPRIMA
    @CAROLUSPRIMA 9 років тому +15

    This may be the best documentary about the Spartans ever made. For what it's worth I'm inclined to think that the Spartan social system was geared not toward battle but rather ultimately to avoid battle, i.e., peace through strength. They won the vast majority of their battles by merely showing up and in the alternative they were usually ready to negotiate a settlement rather than determine it on the field. The more I read the more I am struck by how reluctant the Spartans were to fight. Perhaps their battles are so well known because these are so few. The reason for this is obvious enough to me: the Spartan fighting force never amounted to more than a comparative handful of extraordinarily valuable hoplites, which the Spartans could ill-afford to lose.

    • @marblegrimes7010
      @marblegrimes7010 8 років тому +1

      +CAROLVS or stay at home and make sure the household/farmyard appliances didn't get uppity

    • @liberationlondon5946
      @liberationlondon5946 8 років тому +3

      Well observed and so close to the truth.

    • @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447
      @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447 7 років тому

      CAROLVS no fuckin way! the Greeks,all Greeks spent the summer on campaign for any number of reasons, when a society rebuilds itself based on military principle, where they actually take joy in "a beautifull death", you think they didn't want to go out and fight,that's insane, you didn't put together a military machine not to use it,especially for Greeks!

    • @SideSwipeGTA
      @SideSwipeGTA 5 років тому

      @@octaviancaesarhibernicus4447 That's Spartan propaganda. Just like they never surrendered. Some of them did surrender to Athens.

    • @changesinlife7009
      @changesinlife7009 5 років тому

      I've read a few books. They were a viscous, people. In every way even the women. I think you got your sources of information from people that disliked them.

  • @mariosmanesis8376
    @mariosmanesis8376 9 років тому +9

    great video, thanks

  • @dougmphilly
    @dougmphilly 10 років тому +2

    thanks for this

  • @nikolaostouloumis1573
    @nikolaostouloumis1573 3 роки тому +1

    History room makers . excellent! Very good job.Thank you. Keep on with such videos about ancient Greece.

  • @wespaul9345
    @wespaul9345 5 років тому +3

    Wonderful. As an novice historian, it's amazing. The implication that if not for moments like this those founders of western civilization the Socrates, Platos, Archimedes...would not have been. How our past is a huge part of our identity. The fate of the world spins like a coin, seemingly.

    • @bradmiller2329
      @bradmiller2329 5 років тому

      Sometimes the flow of history turns on an edge as thin as a hair.

  • @NwSandstorm
    @NwSandstorm 9 років тому +27

    Love this film. Wish there where more

  • @brycer72
    @brycer72 4 роки тому +29

    "REMEMBER THIS DAY MEN , FOR IT WILL BE YOURS FOR ALL TIME" "GIVE THEM NOTHING BUT TAKE FROM THEM EVERYTHING"

  • @scottriley1913
    @scottriley1913 4 роки тому +11

    Sparta,, the greatest warriors who ever existed, but what a cost.

  • @clivedonnithorne8138
    @clivedonnithorne8138 4 роки тому +10

    I can remember being moved by the story of "The 300 Spartans" during a history lesson at school. The film "300" is one of my favourite films. As has been said here already , the Spartan soldiers' bravery and discipline shall be respected for all time . Some of my past family members made up "the few" when a certain evil little Austrian corporal thought that he could invade the UK back in '39 . "Never surrender" .

    • @Viothon
      @Viothon 4 роки тому +6

      That little Austrian had more in common with Sparta then UK. You all are more like the Athenian system.

  • @JohnCampbell-rn8rz
    @JohnCampbell-rn8rz 4 роки тому +15

    Excellent documentary but where was the famous epitaph on the monument: "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here, obedient to their laws we lie".

    • @AirborneAnt
      @AirborneAnt 4 роки тому

      John Campbell I heard that was added to the site in 20th century

    • @pantherofcarantania
      @pantherofcarantania 3 роки тому

      In Bettany Hughes' "The Spartans". A three part fantastic series about the birth, a life and the end of Sparta and their way of life.
      A must-watch, if you love the old Greeks & the Spartans...

  • @Redcoat66
    @Redcoat66 7 років тому +6

    "For in all the great wars there had ever been against Greeks or barbarians, the Spartans were never before beaten by a smaller company than their own; nor, indeed, in a set battle, when their number was equal. Hence their courage was thought irresistible, and their high repute before the battle made a conquest already of enemies, who thought themselves no match for the men of Sparta even on equal terms. But this battle first taught the other Greeks, that not only Eurotas, or the country between Babyce and Cnacion,[note 4] breeds men of courage and resolution; but that where the youth are ashamed of baseness, and ready to venture in a good cause, where they fly disgrace more than danger, there, wherever it be, are found the bravest and most formidable opponents".
    - Plutarch, Pelopidas 17[18]

    • @-thebatman-
      @-thebatman- 5 років тому

      Redcoat66 the Greeks from Argos did they meet head to head with the same number of soldiers 2 argosians lived and one spartan

  • @flyingdutchman7585
    @flyingdutchman7585 4 роки тому +2

    In Ranger School we were given shortened rations...always hungry and always looking for ways to "gypsy" food. The motto was "if you aren't cheating (stealing food) you aren't trying. If you get caught, you weren't trying hard enough."

  • @depthsofmymind4492
    @depthsofmymind4492 4 роки тому

    Great documentary

  • @jasoncoldridge8701
    @jasoncoldridge8701 4 роки тому +2

    ver well done indeed . my favourite documentary about one of my favourite historic battles .

  • @angelovalavanis2314
    @angelovalavanis2314 4 роки тому +6

    So the Spartans marched from New York City to Washington DC, repaired the Phocian Wall when they got there, and fought the largest army the world had ever seen for 3 days. I would say the Spartans were a badass society...
    By the way, Leonidas was in his 60's when he fought at Thermopylae...

  • @sifis172
    @sifis172 4 роки тому +4

    This documentary features Steven Pressfield, the writer of "gates of fire" which is one of the 5 best historical
    novels, i have ever read. i am greek, and all my enviroment reads books, when this book came out, it made a
    grand impact on the intellectuals. one reason is because it is based on a fictional spartan boy and his slave.
    and it begins when the boy entered the "agoge"(the training system of the spartans. i really highly recommend it,
    not because i'm greek, but it was a literature masterpiece. i would have loved it even if it talked about non-greek
    f.e mamluks,german tribesmen,romens etc...

    • @quojakevids
      @quojakevids 4 роки тому

      What are your other 4 top historical novels?

    • @joetatoesniff9525
      @joetatoesniff9525 2 роки тому

      What are the other 4

    • @rollingthunder9015
      @rollingthunder9015 Рік тому +2

      Author Steven Pressfield did an absolutely remarkable job with historical novel, “Gates of Fire.” A tough to put down, nonstop page turner his book is the best I’ve ever read. I was in the process of being Honorably Discharged from my completed service the U.S. Marine Corps (Infantry) when I first read it. I contacted Steven Pressfield and told him that every place in his book where used the word “Spartan” he could’ve replaced it with the word, “Marine” and none of the meaning or context would change. He answered me by saying that he too was a Marine!
      I really wish a movie based on his novel was made instead of the silly, cartoonish graphic novel version by Frank Miller.
      This video does a good job for the most part discussing the Spartans.

  • @thomasbarker4628
    @thomasbarker4628 5 років тому +9

    Unbelievable story which is true, they held the Persian empire for three days and nights. Could you imagine being there with the three hundred, even though they died under a hail of arrows they go down in history as true hero's of sparta. Truth is always far more interesting than fiction.

    • @valancebohm3204
      @valancebohm3204 5 років тому +5

      You forget the 3000 or so megarans and corinthians.

    • @ap24085
      @ap24085 4 роки тому

      @Gregor Novak Really? you consider B.Huges's series high quality????????

    • @angelovalavanis2314
      @angelovalavanis2314 4 роки тому

      @@valancebohm3204 In the last battle Leonidas allowed them to retreat. He decided to stay with his Spartans, and the 700 Thespians decided to stay to the end. All in all 1,000 against 200,000...

    • @shockwavesteve
      @shockwavesteve 3 роки тому

      Uhh this contained 7,000 other Greeks... also, leonidus suggested that they flee the battle...

  • @VredesStall
    @VredesStall 5 років тому +19

    "Violence is every man's daily bread". Damn. 😳😳

  • @jahhyluv
    @jahhyluv 4 роки тому

    Fascinating!

  • @susanbengston3496
    @susanbengston3496 4 роки тому +1

    I Do Not Advocate Current War but I Do Admire The Spartans Commitment And Honor!! I’m a Military Mom, Fact Is, Respect Our Troops And Their Deep Sacrifice, Honor Them! Respect Our Warriors Families!! We Never Start Wars, Our Loved One’s Only Answer Our Nation’s Call To Duty. What Have YOU Sacrificed For Our Country Today?? NEVER DIS OUR TROOPS!! We Can ALL Call BS On The Pencil Pushers In Our DC Halls Of COWARDS, simply NEVER DIS OUR TROOPS!!!!

  • @vladtepez873
    @vladtepez873 5 років тому +17

    The thespian king told to the spartan king leonidas: Leonidas i will not let you alone to immortality. I will stay and fight with my soldiers by your side..

    • @bradmiller2329
      @bradmiller2329 5 років тому

      There were -- 300? Spartans + equaled to 1000?

    • @papajohnloki
      @papajohnloki 4 роки тому

      @MyLongestJourney The Thespians (who were not warriors) seem to always be footnotes in this battle, but deserve more credit for their action. Mr Pressfield does them justice- and maybe more than but I really appreciated that.

    • @agarcia2511
      @agarcia2511 4 роки тому +1

      papajohnloki thank you! Gates of Fire is hands down one of the greatest books I’ve ever read. Moved me to tears in the end when the thespians and Spartans exchanged shields knowing this was the end

    • @LookHereMars
      @LookHereMars 3 роки тому +1

      You speak of Demophilus of Thespiae.

  • @leeknights5540
    @leeknights5540 3 роки тому +1

    Be interesting to have a first hand contemporaneous account by Spartans, an understanding of their culture from an interior perspective.

    • @oasis6767
      @oasis6767  3 роки тому +1

      Wouldn't it, Lee. However, I don't think they were the writing kind...

  • @quetachambers7647
    @quetachambers7647 8 років тому

    this is good you should make more

    • @pfchavok
      @pfchavok 4 роки тому

      He didn't make it. He uploaded it. Big difference.

  • @berserko2008
    @berserko2008 4 роки тому +3

    The glory in death way of the Samurai... two fearsome cultures.... where honor and bravery were rewarded with death...

    • @berserko2008
      @berserko2008 2 роки тому

      @First name Last name Of course in the art of war you have to use whatever tools are available........

  • @chriscross5617
    @chriscross5617 4 роки тому +1

    32:50 "... over 15 000 of his CLOSE royal circle". What genius wrote that line?
    And a much more plausible explanation for Xerxes waiting 5 days before attacking is that, not surprisingly, it took that long for such a gigantic army to get organized for battle

  • @larrysingleton2864
    @larrysingleton2864 9 років тому +7

    I've read his books!
    Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
    Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
    The Virtures of War by Steven Pressfield
    Last of the Amazons by Steven Pressfield
    And Herodotus: Go stranger, and to Lacedaemon tell
    That here,obeying her behests, we fell.
    And "one man is said to have distinguished himself above all the rest, to wit, Dieneces the Spartan: "we shall have our fight in the shade"
    and
    Alexander the Great by Paul Cartledge
    The Spartans by Paul Cartledge

    • @larrysingleton2864
      @larrysingleton2864 9 років тому

      My "library"
      Roman and Greek History, Etc.
      If you're into “Roman” stuff Michael Curtis Ford's “Gods and Legions is the book to read. If you're into history I suggest you get Ammianus Marcellinus' History. The ass kicker here is that Marcellinus actually went to battel with Emperor Julian. The Loeb Classic is almost an adventure novel all by itself.
      As far as Gladiators go a couple of “difinitive” books are The Way of the Gladiator by Daniel P. Mannix and Spartacus by Howard Fast. Here are books from my library. Ass kickers every one.
      Ammianus Marcellinus History Loeb Classical Library
      The Battle for Gaul by Julius Caesar
      Caesar: The Civil War by Jane F. Gardner
      Suetonius: The Twelve Caesars by Robert Graves
      The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
      The Way of the Gladiator by Daniel P. Mannix
      Spartacus by Howard Fast
      Julian by Gore Vidal
      Gods and Legions by Michael Curtis Ford
      The Ten Thousand by Michael Curtis Ford
      The Last King by Michael Curtis Ford
      The Sword of Attila by Michael Curtis Ford
      The Fall of Rome by Michael Curtis Ford
      Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
      Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
      The Virtures of War by Steven Pressfield
      Last of the Amazons by Steven Pressfield
      Alexander the Great by Paul Cartledge
      The Spartans by Paul Cartledge
      Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem
      The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge
      The Last Legionary: Life as a Roman Soldier in Britain AD 400 by Paul Elliott
      Gladiator: The Roman Fighter's (Unofficial) Manual by Philip Matyzak
      Legionary: the Roman Soldier's Manual by Philip Matyszak
      On Roman Military Matters (De Re Militari) by Flavius Vegetius Renatus

    • @oasis6767
      @oasis6767  9 років тому +2

      Larry Singleton Larry - I see you are into ancient history. I have a large library of films to upload during the coming year on Greek, Roman, Egyptian and earlier material. Please subscribe to be informed of the uploads as they occur. Regards - Alan.

    • @larrysingleton2864
      @larrysingleton2864 7 років тому

      Shows you how slow I am. I just caught this message. Duh. Thanks! I'll check it out.

    • @angeljrfranco5070
      @angeljrfranco5070 5 років тому

      @Larry Singleton i envy u much of ur ancient history books. A very large number.. cheers

  • @annescholey6546
    @annescholey6546 4 роки тому +25

    Eat hearty for tomorrow we dine in Hell Gerard Butler 2007

    • @SAnn-rf3oz
      @SAnn-rf3oz 4 роки тому +2

      That movie is boss.

    • @schuylerjohnson4364
      @schuylerjohnson4364 4 роки тому +1

      Butler was in his element training naked with dozens of other naked men probably had an erection the whole time

    • @steveholmes5207
      @steveholmes5207 4 роки тому

      Are you comparing a Hollywood actor to a spartan?

  • @R0GUER0CK
    @R0GUER0CK Рік тому

    fantastic

  • @RobertReg1
    @RobertReg1 3 роки тому +1

    Three seconds in, they say this is the first meeting of east vs west, but Xerses was avenging some earlier shenanigans.
    Crazy talk...

  • @martinronnerstam1748
    @martinronnerstam1748 3 роки тому

    Im swedish. And im ashamed that in school,basically all we learn bout ancient History is that Greece is the home for democracy. Otherwise........ Nothing.
    So thank you for posting this movie. Indeed History form the present world. And this is a clasical example

  • @socratesmavrofridis2363
    @socratesmavrofridis2363 5 років тому +1

    What great fighter's they were

  • @MrMonikura
    @MrMonikura 9 років тому +15

    2'494 years ago the Spartan Valour still stands to this day. Out numbered, trained in hardship from a truly warrior state brewed by their gods. They set the golden standards of what is a true hero: from valour, bravery, sacrifice, faith in the state, the same attributes we expect from Western Society when we send our sons out to war. That moment in time of world history was their most glorious moment in the accounts off man. East vs West.

    • @MrAluminox
      @MrAluminox 9 років тому +4

      Totally false. They were long time allies of the Persian. In a certain way Spartans were closer to all totalitarian systems as the Nazis, Fascists, Japanese militarism, Stalinism, Maoism and Red Khmer than to the occidental idea of civilization. It's was a system based on the exploitation and slavery of the Messenien, terror, and total lack of freedom with expendable subjects-soldiers and women destined to make children and lose them at 7 seven years old. Charming isn't it?
      Sparta fell down to nothing in a few years after being defeated by Thebes and left nothing except romantic ideas about militarism and far right wing ideals. But I doubt that an actual occidental militarist would appreciate the true life in Sparta.

    • @babakopoulo
      @babakopoulo 9 років тому +5

      Ilan Sparta was the first real democracy,not Athens. It was the first city that women vote too. You hyave to read more about it sir.

    • @klausbrinck2137
      @klausbrinck2137 5 років тому +1

      MrMonikura, Spartans weren´t imperialists and rarely fought far from home, while you talk about plain murder and imperialism!!!

  • @alanhutchins5916
    @alanhutchins5916 2 роки тому +2

    Everyone should read Steven Pressfield's novel Gates of Fire......the greatest adapted screenplay movie never to get made...it was canned after 300 was released...its a 100 times better.

    • @andrewfranklin2389
      @andrewfranklin2389 2 роки тому

      The 1962 version is much better movie. It's more accurate (wasn't difficult to be), than than the modern 300 garbage.

  • @panagiotismolochidis8450
    @panagiotismolochidis8450 3 роки тому +1

    Α ρε Σπαρτανς σουπερ Ελληνες Bravo σας ειστε υπεροχοι φανταστικοι ελπιζω αυτοι οι αχρηστοι πολιτικοι σας να μην σας πουλησουν οπως εκναν με ολλα τ αλλα θεε μου ........ ------ ..... PANOS DK

  • @oasis6767
    @oasis6767  9 років тому +5

    You might also be interested in a new paper I recently published, available direct from Amazon. Simply search *'How socialist was National Socialism'* in the Amazon search box.

    • @liberationlondon5946
      @liberationlondon5946 8 років тому

      +Dr Alan Brown possibly one of the best documentaries on the Spartans and especially the battle at Thermopylae

    • @larrysingleton2864
      @larrysingleton2864 7 років тому

      Dr. Brown. I just finished Andrew Bostom's book Sharia vs. Freedom. Where I learned that the Gypsies were originally Hindu. I love movies just as much as books and this would have been neat to think about as I watched The Wolfman. heh-heh.
      Have you written anything on Israel? And do you have any resources in that respect? Ive been studying this issue along with Palestinian/Islamic terrorism, "right of return", "Palestinian" Jew hatred and complicity in the Holocaust, Islamic Slavery as opposed to American slavery, racism issues that are applicable to "slavery" claims. How Blacks are singing kumbayah with Muslims not having one clue when it comes to their history of slavery in Africa, etc. And just so you don't get the wrong idea, I'm an EX racist who gets really peeved when I hear all this bs in regards to this issue.
      Where do you stand in all this?
      I notice you have a video on "Women". I've been particularly attentive on this issue with respect to "Islam". And have a "Women in Islam" letter I put together with a long list of articles, books. What the heck; I'll post it below.

  • @babakopoulo
    @babakopoulo 9 років тому +8

    Socrates said, The one who has less needs is the one who is more looks like gog,because god dont need anything. Spartan way of life was exactly this. Training all their life to be in basic .Food,clothes,no money,speaking,behave,all to minimum. And at the same time a strong will. Gods.

    • @oasis6767
      @oasis6767  9 років тому

      ***** Yes, you are speaking of his words: "Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods." You might have a point there about the Spartans, Manolis. It also makes me think of Buddhist monks who also practice a life of abstinence.

    • @babakopoulo
      @babakopoulo 9 років тому +5

      Alan Brown Yes but Buddist monks are against nature because they put woman out of their lives. In Sparta woman had also a superior position.

    • @yorgoskep4608
      @yorgoskep4608 9 років тому +3

      Instead the Athenians brought the gods down to earth to join the citizens, the human beings; we see this extraordinary idea depicted οn the Parthenon frieze! It is not surprising that Athenians had such a rapid development in all human activities!

    • @MrAluminox
      @MrAluminox 9 років тому +2

      Yorgo Skep I do agree. Athenians were workers, citizens and soldiers. Athenians left poetry, literature, philosophy, monuments, fine arts, engineering, the ideal of democracy, advanced civilization and influenced all the western thinking. A very enduring heritage.
      On the other hand Spartan left nothing apart the remembering of a totalitarian military society based on terror and repression with on a very salvage slavery and a few victories. In fact they went down as fast as the Red Khmers when Thebes, a few years after adopting a democratic system, crushed the Spartan army and "liberated" the Messenien.

    • @yorgoskep4608
      @yorgoskep4608 9 років тому

      Ilan Well, spartan morals may be useful in....western military education!

  • @afonsodeportugal
    @afonsodeportugal 9 років тому +6

    I've been looking for this documentary for ages! Thank you, Mr. Brown, for uploading it!
    However, Prof. Edith Hall, one of the various historians in the video, mentions in her website a total run-time of 90 minutes. This video has only 60 minutes. I also remember watching this in two separate episodes almost a decade ago. One thing that struck me when I first watched it was the fact that Spartan men could be forced to shave half their beards if they were found to be guilty of cowardice. But I have seen no such thing here.
    Could you please tell me how can I actually get this documentary? Thank you!

    • @oasis6767
      @oasis6767  9 років тому +5

      Afonso de Portugal I don't know how you can get the rest of it, Alfonso. This tape was in my collection at a 60-minute run-time, so maybe another longer version is out there somewhere. Thank you for your comment; I'm glad you enjoyed the film (even the shorter version!)

    • @sarahakelo-agona3280
      @sarahakelo-agona3280 4 роки тому

      My idea of real strength and real determination.

    • @fernandolucas2457
      @fernandolucas2457 2 роки тому +1

      Gravei o documentário quando o vi pela primeira vez na RTP 2 numa sexta ou sábado à noite. Foram 2 episódios, ainda tenho o VHS, deve ter uns 20 anos.

    • @afonsodeportugal
      @afonsodeportugal 2 роки тому

      @@fernandolucas2457 Haverá hipóese de o caro Fernando passar o documentário para formato digital e depois carregá-lo aqui para o UA-cam? É que eu continuo a achar que esse documentário foi um dos melhores que vi acerca da sociedade espartana. Mas não o consigo encontrar em nenhum lado!

    • @fernandolucas2457
      @fernandolucas2457 2 роки тому

      @@afonsodeportugal Não tenho equipamento para isso, depois vejo se vale a pena .

  • @jonxflogamingx3518
    @jonxflogamingx3518 4 роки тому

    Insane

  • @panagiotismolochidis8450
    @panagiotismolochidis8450 3 роки тому +1

    Γιαυτο δωξαζουμε ως και σημερα ηρωες σαν τον τερασυιο Λεωνηδα Bravo Leo εισαι ηρωας 😎 ........ --------- .......... PANOS DK ( Copenhagen )

  • @LOLBram71
    @LOLBram71 4 роки тому +4

    Every other written text and historian says leonidus said “good then we will have our battle in the shade” that it was told to him by his guard that the archers arrows would block out the sun. He was also the one to say to the messenger “molon labe” come and take them! What a beast

  • @giannisgiannis870
    @giannisgiannis870 4 роки тому +7

    They love Sparta.They love HELLAS(GREECE).

    • @vantroofsir8189
      @vantroofsir8189 4 роки тому +1

      In every greek blood should lay dna to protect the motherland Hellas.

    • @giannisgiannis870
      @giannisgiannis870 4 роки тому

      The name of ancient hoplites were hellenic.You have right.

  • @gailhandschuh1138
    @gailhandschuh1138 4 роки тому +5

    There are wonderful docs on Sparta by Mary Beard and Bethany Hughes.

  • @henrikgustafsson6385
    @henrikgustafsson6385 2 роки тому

    27:00 don't forget, that a man with a family to protect, is much more motivated and fierce in a protective situation.

  • @BlackQback
    @BlackQback 4 роки тому +4

    "Slave owning Spartans" - just so there is no confusion, all Greeks (and most other peoples) owned slaves, but what was controversial is that Spartans enslaved other Greeks (helots). That simply wasn't done.

    • @BlackQback
      @BlackQback 4 роки тому

      @Michael Moore I very well know what I'm talking about. You're conflating different time periods.
      But nevertheless it's true that AG sold certain group of Greeks into slavery, yet not by design. He punished rebelling Thebans; second time, when he ran out of money to finance his further campaigns in Persia, he - reportedly reluctantly - resorted to selling treasonous Greeks to slavery, those who fought for Persians in the battle of Granicus.
      However, that was centuries after Spartans enslaved helots, and in Alexander's times Sparta was just a shadow of its former self, their number fell from cca 10000 Spartan citizens to 1000 (if). At that time Spartans had to resort to arming their slaves.
      Even with all this happening, it was still bad PR for Alexander to sell Greek slaves.

    • @BlackQback
      @BlackQback 4 роки тому +2

      @Michael Moore It wasn't done when Spartans (II) were raising as the regional power in Greece or at the height of their power. Age of Macedons (Hellenistic period) came several centuries later. And even then it was frowned upon.
      You're mixing apples and pears.
      It's akin to if I - talking about 17th century - say: women weren't accepted into priesthood, and you cut in with "they have female priests now"! Anybody familiar with the subject would look at you with pity and continue talking as if you're not there.

    • @motax4885
      @motax4885 3 роки тому

      @NoblesseOblige you know your stuff rare to find that now

  • @teti_99
    @teti_99 4 роки тому +2

    "You there... Ephialtes. May you live forever." King Leonidas' way of damming Ephialtes in being immortalized as the coward traitor who betrayed his own countrymen.

    • @specfei9895
      @specfei9895 3 роки тому +1

      His shame did live forever, even sabaton mentioned him

    • @LookHereMars
      @LookHereMars 3 роки тому

      If my memory serves Ephialtes today in the modern Greek language means nightmare. Such was the damning of Ephialtes for his actions forever in Greece and in History.

  • @Randall2023
    @Randall2023 4 роки тому

    Winnipeg Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦

  • @greekmacedonia7168
    @greekmacedonia7168 4 роки тому +2

    Spartans do not ask how many but where they are

  • @MafiaKingfishNOLA
    @MafiaKingfishNOLA 3 роки тому +1

    Sparta produced great warriors but their way of life couldn't last forever.

  • @CAROLUSPRIMA
    @CAROLUSPRIMA 9 років тому +3

    By the way, did not Cato the Elder use the same flanking movement as did the Persians in a battle against Antiochus a few hundred years later? As i recall he led a Roman force through the pass and personally led the advance against Antiochus' rear, thereby cementing a large part of his fame and influence.

    • @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447
      @octaviancaesarhibernicus4447 7 років тому +1

      CAROLVS yes exactly right,the Spartans tried to pull the same manoeuvre and the Romans went straight through them.

  • @costrio
    @costrio 3 роки тому

    Historian, Victor David Hansen gives some commentary in this documentary video. Boy, does he ever look young. I didn't recognize him having a head full of hair but I recognized the voice, immediately. FYI.

    • @costrio
      @costrio 3 роки тому

      Sorry, speelling error by me. Victor Davis Hanson. My bad!

  • @crommountain2382
    @crommountain2382 4 роки тому +1

    2020 A.D. is the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas and the 300 live forever

  • @junior1497
    @junior1497 4 роки тому +2

    “The free world”

  • @macusaurelius1313
    @macusaurelius1313 4 роки тому +16

    So you see. No one is born gay, it's encouraged.

    • @jamessullivan1348
      @jamessullivan1348 4 роки тому +3

      That's the truth!

    • @junkyarddog9129
      @junkyarddog9129 4 роки тому +2

      @@jamessullivan1348 im afraid it's not I was in kintergarden with a kid who literally collected Barbie dolls. Needles to say as time went on in high school he come out the closet he was def born to be gay.

    • @levithorstone2876
      @levithorstone2876 4 роки тому +1

      @@junkyarddog9129 just because you have a couple of Barbies or some of your sisters didn't know why I liked um better till I was older in H.S. when I got some girls undressing I new I was just attracted to girls and wasn't gay like I got bullied for but first thought was definitely better than a Barbie now I'm just dreding when they become more plastic then real lol

  • @killcancer6499
    @killcancer6499 4 роки тому +1

    I would like some information on the Archaeologic finds at Thermophyllae. Does anyone know of any videos or other sources?

    • @killcancer6499
      @killcancer6499 4 роки тому

      @Bob Dylan's conscience Why? Did you find something good on Google?

    • @killcancer6499
      @killcancer6499 4 роки тому

      @Fred Smith Thanks!

    • @killcancer6499
      @killcancer6499 4 роки тому

      @Bob Dylan's conscience Peace, Lol!

  • @SagesseNoir
    @SagesseNoir 4 роки тому +2

    I imagine that Persia's defeat by tiny Greece must have been extremely humiliating, as it might be for the USA if she were militarily defeated by Bolivia or Guyana.

    • @afruge4535
      @afruge4535 4 роки тому +2

      SagesseNoir or say i dont know Vietnam

    • @bobs6129
      @bobs6129 4 роки тому

      @@afruge4535 the French lost the battle in Vietnam America just didn't have an end goal. look at the battles themselves

    • @athanasioschiras8770
      @athanasioschiras8770 4 роки тому

      vietnam

  • @nikfan1418
    @nikfan1418 8 років тому +14

    hello from Greece! There is no name of "gate of fire" The real name is Thermopiles.

  • @b-rizz5209
    @b-rizz5209 Рік тому

    Leona-das? Man I have being saying it wrong this whole time. Also very good doco, very informing. 300 was way off

  • @heavyartillery6714
    @heavyartillery6714 4 роки тому

    It was better if you'd given the link from the movies directly

  • @scottriley1913
    @scottriley1913 4 роки тому +1

    Spartans, supreme warriors in all of known world history. I think and hope American Spec-Ops would pattern to detail. Sadly, Spartans, were trained to be warriors from a young age. But,, you have to see this from the context of history and I emphasize the word CONTEXT, they were the minority in the world.. We will soon be that. We will need warriors, the same yesterday and will again.

  • @user-rp4bf6sr3g
    @user-rp4bf6sr3g 7 місяців тому

    The west is the Best, good night uncle Ron, miss you loads 😊

  • @scottriley1913
    @scottriley1913 4 роки тому

    These were the absolute soldiers in their time, I’m not certain that any Spec/Ops warriors on the planet today could ever compare to these soldiers. Soldiers, study your history, these men were lifetime warriors, their only glory, gift and want was to die in battle. The only modern soldiers I’ve read and studied in my life who could even relatively compare is the Southern Soldiers of the Confederacy between 1861 to 1865.

  • @didimean
    @didimean Рік тому

    Every single culture in history has done horrible things that should be condemned, including ours today. That said - you can still appreciate the glorious things they accomplished. History should not be forgotten or rewritten because you don't like something they did.

  • @bradmiller2329
    @bradmiller2329 5 років тому +2

    Think what they could have done with modern electronic surveillance! (shudder)

  • @MrWhiskers65
    @MrWhiskers65 4 роки тому +4

    @ 00:53 “The slave owning Spartans”...???... Everyone had slaves at that time in history!... Guaranteed Xerxes had tons and tons too.

    • @shockwavesteve
      @shockwavesteve 3 роки тому +1

      Xerxes marched his slaves with his army to prevent a revolt.

  • @Antonio-ti2he
    @Antonio-ti2he 4 роки тому +12

    Lesson: You must have a warrior class to protect democracy...hence a standing military force within which there is no democracy but a strong warrior code.

  • @exist888
    @exist888 4 роки тому +2

    “thought they were a super race” oh that’s were it came from

    • @phillipmartinez2436
      @phillipmartinez2436 4 роки тому

      Look up the Assyrians. Considered Ancient Nazis. There last few Kingdoms where pretty brutal. It took all known groups to take them out. Also a revolt from its own citizens. Pretty sure they got credited with Seige Warfare. They where so horrible that after there defeat Persians, Babylonians and all the groups that where conquered by Assyrians tried to erase them from history.

    • @crashfistfight8234
      @crashfistfight8234 4 роки тому +1

      No the Spartans where decent by comparison ❓🤔

  • @DrH5N1
    @DrH5N1 4 роки тому +1

    the beginning remind me of a ad for atrazine and other xenoestrogene

  • @ecin61
    @ecin61 4 роки тому +2

    Evil freaking system!

    • @crassus300
      @crassus300 4 роки тому +1

      Protected The west though.

    • @shockwavesteve
      @shockwavesteve 3 роки тому

      It’s called conquest pleb. Now get in the tenth cohort.

  • @panagiotismolochidis8450
    @panagiotismolochidis8450 3 роки тому

    Αυτο που ειπε η κοπελα συο τελος ειναι ολα τα λευτα Bravo και παλλη ..... ------ ...... PANOS DK

  • @1nf3c7-tious
    @1nf3c7-tious 4 роки тому +2

    Sending meat to a meet grinder.....so gnarly

    • @SAnn-rf3oz
      @SAnn-rf3oz 4 роки тому

      🤣😂🤣💎💙🍀

  • @Blacksage129
    @Blacksage129 4 роки тому +4

    THIS. IS. SPARTA!!!!

  • @josepha.correiaiii8855
    @josepha.correiaiii8855 4 роки тому +1

    If Leonidas believed the oracle of Delphi [And I am sure he did.] he knew he was going to die at the hot gates. And yet he still went. I wonder how many these days would be willing to die for honor to their duty. Although I doubt that he even thought of what we now call Democracy was in the balance.

    • @Hodgmeisterpro0209
      @Hodgmeisterpro0209 Рік тому

      How many leaders would even go to the battlefield. A different breed these days. No honour, no courage. Gutless, greedy leaders, out to line their own pockets

  • @seltaeb9691
    @seltaeb9691 Рік тому

    I saw an actual Spartan helmet in an exhibition & it now would only fit a 10yr old child, people were much smaller back then. I'm 6ft so would be a giant to them.

  • @daltasdaltas1955
    @daltasdaltas1955 3 роки тому +1

    The only citizens allowed having a stone tablet unon theyr grave were the women died on birth and the warriors died in battle.for spartans it was a great death in battlefield. The most honoured position in battlefield was just next to the king. This is how we know that even the spartan kings were warriors.and a last ting. There were 5000 more with Spartans. 5000 thespians who fought and died there but only the 300 spartans are famous for the last stand. At that time Sparta had 10.000 strong. Imagine if the half of them were in the battlefield

  • @teina123
    @teina123 2 роки тому +1

    The hot gates

  • @Realmkeeper12
    @Realmkeeper12 8 років тому +1

    The Greeks were very unique,each city-state was moee unique, Athenian very good teachers, philosophy ,creative ,spiritual,political. the Corinthians very good merchants, traders, buisnessmen the Spartans very military minded etc.

    • @bitmk2
      @bitmk2 8 років тому

      +Azen Kwed do you prefer islam or christians?

    • @valancebohm3204
      @valancebohm3204 5 років тому

      Corinthians were shipbuilders.

  • @AmedoAvogadro
    @AmedoAvogadro Рік тому

    History says that it was 300 Spartan warriors and 5000 assistants/support troops

  • @SagesseNoir
    @SagesseNoir 4 роки тому +2

    Was Sparta a totalitarian society ironically credited with saving Greek freedom?

    • @bobs6129
      @bobs6129 4 роки тому

      I think that sums up every society in history that experiences some form of democracy

    • @tonihinojosa5130
      @tonihinojosa5130 4 роки тому +1

      Bob S m

  • @bryancenterfitt7127
    @bryancenterfitt7127 4 роки тому +2

    In the end, they found their "beautiful" death.

  • @edwordwretch3419
    @edwordwretch3419 4 роки тому +4

    Interesting how similar this story is to gideons 300 which predates it . However the spartan story has been glorified trumped up and hollywoodified

    • @shockwavesteve
      @shockwavesteve 3 роки тому

      Ikr. The battle had around 7,000 troops but instead we get 300 Spartans through
      2,403 years old propaganda...

    • @pop-n-rock
      @pop-n-rock 3 роки тому

      ?

  • @mysticdragonwolf89
    @mysticdragonwolf89 4 роки тому

    The only problem I have is the constant attempt to pronounce ancient names as it is thought to be said - this, while trying to stay true to history, only serves to confuse the modern viewer as we try to connect the name that WE know from pop culture to the name historians are naming despite using near modern pronunciation of other names of cities
    Lin-na-dias vs Leonaidas