The bronze statue of Poseidon as a model for Leonidas

Rating: 8/10 (26 March 2007)

Hi everybody,
I saw the film and I loved it, not only as a Greek but also as a movie fan too. I 'm not here to add yet another comment; I would rather like to offer some information that many of you probably don't know. It is my strong impression that the whole "styling" of Leonidas in the movie has been heavily influenced by a famous ancient statue of Poseidon, God of the Sea. It is a bronze statue of around 460 b.C., found in the sea of Artemision, around 200 km north of Athens, which really shows what was the ideal picture of a mature man in ancient Greece. Especially the beard (i.e. length and shape) is identical with Leonidas' in the movie. Have a look:
http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21405m/00/lm05m04b.jpg
http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21405m/00/lm05m045.jpg
http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21405m/e21405m4.html