View Full Version : Last Stand of the 300
Tonight on the History Channel
Last Stand of The 300 (http://www.history.com/shows.do?episodeId=214233&action=detail)
I thought this was even better than the movie.
It is on at 8 PM EST.
mffjm8509
05-24-2007, 19:29
I missed it. Thank God for DVR!
mp
Kraut783
05-24-2007, 19:30
Heh...watching it now. Very good show so far...I had no idea how large the naval battle was.
I am watching it as well, much more detail than the movie, maybe not as exciting but better insight!
x-factor
05-24-2007, 19:36
The movie was about the myth of the 300, not so much the actual history.
This is a good documentary, but not much I hadn't already read.
The Reaper
05-24-2007, 19:39
I agree, the naval campaign perspectve is well worth the time to watch it.
Nothing like having Pressfield explain his book as well.
I loved it in the Ken Burns "Civil War" series when Shelby Foote would come on. He made it seem like he was there when it happened.
TR
x-factor
05-24-2007, 19:51
Foote was a national treasure as a historian. It was a sad day when he died.
I met Ken Burns once (on a high school trip to Clinton's second inaugural...make liberal jokes at your convenience). I remember him giving a very thoughtful speech though I can't for the life of me remember what it was about. I shook his hand after, nice guy. One of the sources in his documentary is relative of mine.
Avery Brooks (the captain from Star Trek Deep Space 9 and noted Shakespearean actor) gave a kick ass reading of Patrick Henry's "Liberty or Death" speech too.
(And yes, I'm aware that I'm a big geek.)
Just finished watching it. Awesome show. Good to have a reminder that not all great "stories" are just stories.
I particularly enjoyed how the one guy equated the Spartans with "our very best Special Forces". Great stuff.
Sionnach
05-25-2007, 05:14
When you gents mention great documentaries like this, it makes me wish I had a television. Hopefully it'll come out on DVD and I can pick it up.
mffjm8509
05-25-2007, 05:52
When you gents mention great documentaries like this, it makes me wish I had a television. Hopefully it'll come out on DVD and I can pick it up.
Its on DVD, 16.99. Click the link in the first post.
mp
Sionnach
05-25-2007, 06:02
Thanks, mffjm8509. Serious lack of SA on my part.
Have any of you gents watched Decisive Battles: Thermopylae on the History Channel? They've got a package deal, and as I age, I seem to get more interested in history ;)
ironstoNe
05-25-2007, 10:08
I will definitely have to watch this, but my heart still lies with the book Gates of Fire. If any of you liked the History channel's episode on the 300, I highly suggest reading Gates of Fire. Amazing book and a great insight on the historical battle of the 300 Spartans. It's not quite "non-fiction", but it is supposed to be an accurate account of what happened during that battle. Take it easy, Gentlemen.
x-factor
05-25-2007, 11:37
Thanks, mffjm8509. Serious lack of SA on my part.
Have any of you gents watched Decisive Battles: Thermopylae on the History Channel? They've got a package deal, and as I age, I seem to get more interested in history ;)
I haven't seen the Thermopolyae one, but I've seen others in the Decisive Battles series i think. As I recall they're pretty good.
5POINT56
05-25-2007, 14:59
Tonight on the History Channel
Last Stand of The 300 (http://www.history.com/shows.do?episodeId=214233&action=detail)
I thought this was even better than the movie.
It is on at 8 PM EST.
Agreed.
Not only were Leonidas and the 300 extremely impressive warriors, the additional naval aspect was really interesting.
2 hours of one of the most impressive historical events of all time. Hell of a good show.
x-factor
05-25-2007, 17:32
Historical question...
Do the 300 really qualify as a "special forces" or "commando" unit? A lot of historians like to throw that out there cause it sounds neat (the documentary lasst night called them "the Delta Force of their time"), but I don't think they really do.
Were the 300 an elite unit? Yes.
Were they specially selected? Yes.
Did they employ tactics, techniques, or equipment significantly different from the "regular" spartan army? No.
Did they operate in a small unit? No.
Did they employ coopted indigenous units? Sort of, but not really.
Did they rely on guile over strength? No.
Certainly Thermopolyae was an amazing feat of arms by one of the most elite collections of warriors ever, but elite does not necessarily equal special. Anyone else got a different take on it?
Follow on question for any of the other history-types...are there any other units from pre-modern history that you would call a "special" force? Who would you identify as the first "special forces" unit?
3SoldierDad
05-25-2007, 21:17
Follow on question for any of the other history-types...are there any other units from pre-modern history that you would call a "special" force? Who would you identify as the first "special forces" unit?
In his book To Dare and to Conquer - subtitle > Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations from Achilles to Al Qaeda... Derek Leebaert gives several historical examples of "special forces" like outfits. Including examples like the 22 men of the Trojan horse...
The Greeks had a variety of elite untis at various times and at various places. Leebaert provides a great quote from Lysander the Spartan General and Naval Master...
"Where the lion's skin will not reach, you must patch it with the fox's."
x-factor
05-25-2007, 23:18
I'm reading To Dare and To Conquer off and on (I finished the section on pirates). Its a good read, but I find the guy's arguments to be a little stretched at times.