The Phalanx explained... sorta, finally

[Sisiutil]

So I saw a couple of trailers for the upcoming movie 300 (based on a Frank Miller graphic novel) and I finally realized that the +25% hill defense bonus the Greek Phalanx has must have been inspired by the Spartans' stand at the Battle of Thermopylae. DUH.

"This week on Captain Obvious: the Captain gets a clue!"

Looks like it could be a really good movie, though, especially for us history buffs:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T2oNi7eaYk

 

[Crighton]

There was an older movie called 300 Spartans you can pick it up for like five bucks at Walmart. Probably not as good the upcoming 300 though.

 

[Sisiutil]

There was an older movie called 300 Spartans you can pick it up for like five bucks at Walmart. Probably not as good the upcoming 300 though.

Apparently that's the movie that inspired Miller in the first place.

 

[Crighton]

Personally I think when properly told it makes for a great story just by itself.

Also, forgot to mention, I have a copy of that 300 Spartans movie somewhere in my collection (it's how I knew you could get it for $5).

 

[Lucky Charms]

About time we get another Spartan movie. The best troops of all time...

The Battle of Termopalyae is my favourite historical battle of all time, it is the defining example of showing honour, pride, and glory. I could elaborate on many of the great aspects of the Spartan's, but I'll be here all day, so I won't... for now!

 

[Xanikk999]

Not to mention greek society as a whole considered women inferior and not worthy of respect or love. Only men could be considered subjects of true love.

Yep greeks were gay by nature.

The ancient greeks would have the worst human rights record if they were around today.

 

[Molon Labe]

I had no idea they were making that movie. Given my username, I'll definitely have to go see it.

 

[shivute]

The ancient greeks believed

"women for breeding and boys for fun"

Quote from somewhere but i can't remember where.

 

[Sisiutil]

Not to mention greek society as a whole considered women inferior and not worthy of respect or love. Only men could be considered subjects of true love.

Yep greeks were gay by nature.

The ancient greeks would have the worst human rights record if they were around today.

It's probably more accurate to describe the ancient Greeks as bisexual.

For one thing, the central concept (and running joke) in Aristophanes' Lysistrata would not have been effective if Greek men didn't enjoy sex with their wives.

On the other hand, well, yes...

"How did they separate the men from the boys in ancient Greece?"

"With a crowbar."

 

[Underseer]

If you are looking for historical accuracy from this movie, you're going to be disappointed. It's baesd on a comic book retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae by Frank Miller, which means it'll have more in common with a fantasy novel than the historical event, but will be exciting as hell and visually stunning. No one frames shots like Miller; not in comic books and not in the movies.

 

[Spartan117]

If you are looking for historical accuracy from this movie, you're going to be disappointed. It's baesd on a comic book retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae by Frank Miller, which means it'll have more in common with a fantasy novel than the historical event, but will be exciting as hell and visually stunning. No one frames shots like Miller; not in comic books and not in the movies.

what he said

 

[Seleukos Helios]

You may think '300' will not be particulalry historicaly accurate because it's based on a comic book, but I must say it captures the spirit of the situation a lot better than any 'proper' movie could aspire to. And the two dialogues between Persian envoys and Spartans that appear in the trailer (-this is blasphemy... this is madness! -this is Sparta! *and* -our arrows will blot out the sun -then we will fight in the shade!) are straight from Herodotus' 'History'.

However I've always found it strange that phalanxes get a bonus when defending on hills. I believe the Macedonian-style phalanx is meant by this unit, and though it would be virtually unbeatable in flat terrain, it's formation would be compromised when fighting on hills. That's how the Romans defeated them, after all.

 

[Sisiutil]

However I've always found it strange that phalanxes get a bonus when defending on hills. I believe the Macedonian-style phalanx is meant by this unit, and though it would be virtually unbeatable in flat terrain, it's formation would be compromised when fighting on hills. That's how the Romans defeated them, after all.

Well, the creators of Civ IV weren't exactly guardians of historical accuracy, were they? I mean, the best UU in the game is based on an imperial guard whose function was more political than military.

Speaking of UUs, the Persian Immortals should make an appearance in this movie as well, since they were there historically. And speaking of historical accuracy, the Immortals were, IIRC, not a mounted unit.