So the Greek soldiers, even the Spartans, would have been dressed head to toe in bronze armor, with bronze shields and bronze weapons. And the Greeks were uniquely placed in the world to have access to the metals needed to smelt bronze. Which is funny, I guess, but in reality the Spartans had them, too.Įven the most laymen are probably aware that this story would have taken place during the bronze age. To that end, there is even a point where they make fun of Athenians for their war skirts and sculpted breastplates. Miller probably wanted to emphasize how tough the Spartans were and also visually differentiate them from other Greeks. Most likely Frank Miller based the Spartan dress not on history, but on the famous painting Leonidas at Thermopylae, painted during the Napoleonic years. The comic opens with the titular 300 Spartans already marching to war, and already we have a big historical inaccuracy. If instead what you’re into is a bunch of mostly naked men throwing down like a bunch of stone cold badasses, then you will find plenty of that. I won’t judge this comic for its inaccuracy, though, just keep in mind that’s what you’re here for, you won’t be getting it. So I’m going to apologize in advance that, yes, I’m going to bore you with some actual history, because I feel like it’s pretty important when talking about this comic.

So it’ s safe to say I know a few th ings about ancient Greece, and certainly enough to know that historically accurate is not a term anyone would use to describe this series. Let me preface this by saying I was actually a history major in college, with a focus on the ancient near east.

The Spartans met the Persians at Thermopylae, which basically translates to “The Hot Gates,” and held them off for three days before – spoiler alert – finally being defeated. The entire series is about a single, real historical battle from ancient Greek history, where an army of Greeks led by 300 Spartan warriors faced off against the massively superior numbers of the Persian armies led by their king Xerxes.

300 spartans comic