Iran Feels Threatened by 300 Half-Naked Greeks

As astute readers may be aware, I have rarely let the stifuling oppression of historical accuracy interfere with the writing of a good argument. It seems a number of media publications have adopted this philosophy too, no doubt as a gesture of solidarity.

For proof of this please consult the coverage of the release of the recent blockbuster '300', which depicts the efforts of Spartan soldiers at Thermopylae in 480BC, who all died fighting the Persian invasion of King Xerxes. Stirring stuff, indeed. However, this battle, it has been claimed, stands as a metaphor for the tensions between the US and Iran, the country now cited as being the successor to the infamous ancient region. Greece, the birthplace of democracy etc. stands in place for Bush's armies fighting his war on terrorism/for oil. But wait! Are we not forgetting something? Greece, did not exist back then, save for a vague clamouring that the disparate city-states of Hellas should unite against the threat of the East. Sparta itself was not democratic, in fact far from it. It had a militaristic monarchy, with state-run slavery and a rather nasty secret police force. Every year 'war' was declared against its slaves - the helots - in which any act of cruelty or murder was legal. Now read on the 300 website how Thermopylae was "drawing a line in the sand for democracy"(!). I think the Spartans would beg to differ.

Furthermore not all Hellenic city-states were opposed to Xerxes' Persia and in Athens, symbol of democracy, suffrage was far from universal and its behaviour far from exemplarary. Not a terrible good metaphor I would say.

Some poor knowledge of the Classics going on here, I think. In fact I would be rather worried if ancient Sparta and its complete barbarity towards the majority of its population is supposed to stand for the US. What next? George Bush stripping down to his pants to throw spears at Iranians in mimicry of the Spartan king Leonidas. Not something I care for, perhaps that's just me.