Not very off on History.

Rating: 9/10 (11 December 2007)

What is the big shock of the film was how close it came to the history of the real event. What may be an eye opener to many viewers (and reviewers) was that the Spartan Hopalites (King's Body Guard) were the Delta Force of their time. Sparta DID cast out babies found "not worthy," they did wear little more than a cloak and groin cloth. They were sent out in early teens to survive by whatever means necessary. They also were the only army to that point in history that actually fought in a coordinated unit structure. The "Shield Wall" was as portrayed the short spear used as shown, the short sword used after the enemy was broken. The Persions DID break through and eventually burned Athens, But the Greeks under Spartan Leadership drove the Persions out in a defeat that they never got over. They actually started hiring Greek mercenary armies to help with their conquests. If you would Ike to know more Google "The Ten Thousand." Which documents the march of a cut-off Greek army which after not getting paid fought their way across the entire Persian Empire taking their pay from the cities they encountered, and arriving as an intact force back in Greece.