History Shorts: Plataea and the end of the Persian War (479 B.C.)

The final major battle of the Persian War was fought at Plataea. An alliance of Greek city states, including Athens and Sparta, defeated Xerxes and the Persians. The year before, Xerxes defeated the Spartan defenders at Thermopylae, conquered Attica, and torched Athens. However, his naval defeat at Salamis left the conquest incomplete. In 479 B.C., the Persians looked to finish off the Greeks. After an eleven day stalemate, the Persians believed the Greeks were retreating. In reality, the Greeks were reorganizing due to a disrupted supply line. The Persians attacked and were routed. On the same day, the Persian navy was also routed in battle. Afterward, the Greeks spent 30 years clearing the Persians out of their territory. The victory led to the rise of modern western civilization with modern philosophy and democracy. It also created a Persian boogeyman for Alexander the Great to exploit and later destroy.


Here is how Hollywood and Frank Miller depicted the engagement: It includes the typical inspirational speech which predicts the rise of Western Civilization. The Greeks did not dress like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFOl-QXpLc4

History Shorts: 300 Spartans at Thermopylae (480 B.C.)

After the failure of the initial invasion, the Persians returned to conquer and punish the Greeks. The Athenians defeated Persia at Marathon in 490 B.C. In 480 B.C., they returned with a vengeance. 7,000 Greeks marched to meet the Persians at Thermopylae. They hoped to block or delay the Persian advance by positioning themselves at the pass. They held a massive Persian army at bay for a week. During the battle, a force of 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas fought the Persians to a standstill. However, a Greek traitor named Ephialtes led the Persians around the Spartans leading to their annihilation. Afterward, an enraged Xerxes beheaded and crucified Leonidas' body. Although defeated, the Spartans provided valuable time for the Greek forces to prepare for the culminating battles of the Persian War. Additionally, it allowed the citizens of Athens to escape before the Persians took the city. Those that remained were killed and the city burned.


Thermopylae lives on in pop culture through Frank Miller's Graphic Novel, 300 which was later turned into a film. There was also a 1962 film, 300 Spartans which recounts the battle.

Spartans vs. The Immortals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou-y56B1bxQ

The Spartans last stand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kuna7sC5ek&feature=related

History Shorts: Cyrus the Great forms Persian Empire (559 B.C.)

Cyrus the Great formed the Persian Empire which encompassed Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and parts of Europe. His empire stretched from the Mediterranean to the Indus. As one of the history's greatest empires, the Persians dominated the region until conquered by Alexander. Cyrus the Great was well known for his decision making skills and respect for other cultures.



On Cyrus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TD76nIqfsE

Unfortunately, this is how western culture views the Persians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrRJ_ZaSm0Q

The Persian War 490-479 BC

Think the War on Terror began in 2001? It's more like 490 BC. The current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are nothing more than a continuation of a war that began 2500 years ago. It has had different names (Persian War, Crusades, War on Terror). It has had different protagonists (Xerxes, Saladin, Osama and Alexander, Richard, George). It has had different excuses for starting over again (Empire, Religion, Democracy). The East is very aware of this history and celebrate Xerxes and Saladin while lamenting defeats in France and Austria. While the West is clueless about the past. Regardless, one day 2500 years ago, the Persians conquered Greek colonies in Asia minor. That signalled the beginning of a conflict that wages to this day.

In 499 BC, several Greek City states in Asia Minor revolted against Persian rule. Athens supported these revolts. The Greeks won an short lived victory and reestablished rule by 493 BC. The Persians wanted to teach the mainland Greeks a lesson for interfering.

The Persian Empire was the greatest at the time and the Greece was a little backwater. In 492, Emperor Darius sent ambassadors to many Greek cities demanding their surrender. The Spartans tossed them into a well. Athens also executed the ambassadors. Persia could not turn a blind eye to the insult and invaded Attica.

The Persian assault was relentless. Eritrea was razed to the ground and all survivors sold into slavery. The invasion was stopped cold by Athens at Marathon. Following the disastrous defeat, Darius prepared for a full scale invasion.

It took ten years to launch a second invasion. Internal strife, an Egyptian revolt, and Darius’ death slowed the Persians. In 480, there was nothing left to stop Persia. The new Emperor, Xerxes, brought a fleet of 1200 ships and 200,000 men to Greece. Only 300 Spartans stood in the way. After an effective delaying action by Leonidas and the 300 at Thermopylae, Persia ran wild in Attica while the Greeks retreated. The Spartans bought the rest of Greece time to regroup.

Following the destruction of Athens, the Greeks defeated Persia at sea and on land. At Salamis, the Persian fleet was sunk. At Plataea, the Greeks defeated the Persian army. Xerxes’ folly meant Western culture would soon flourish and begin it’s long rise to dominance. Had the Persians won the war, democracy may have died and Greece’s Golden Age would never have occurred. Xerxes is a hero in Iran today. The Greek view of Xerxes is still felt today. Watch the movie 300. Xerxes is still a fool 2500 years later.

Top 10 Most Conservative Movies

and now the top 10 most conservative movies...

The Alamo (1960)

Conservatives seem to have annihilation fantasies. Both versions deal with freedom vs. tyranny. The rights of individuals vs. the government. The original was produced by John Wayne. ‘nuf said.

Patton (1970)

Watch the flag scene. It was a shot at the anti-war movement. This was Richard Nixon’s favorite film. Watching this movie makes one wish Patton could visit the Dixie Chicks.

Dirty Harry (1971)

San Francisco is fully of lawless long hairs. Clint Eastwood shoots them. End of problem. Law and Order vs. Lawlessness. Rule of Law vs. If it feels good do it. GI Generation vs. Baby Boomers. While liberals see all conservatives as Gordon Gecko from Wall Street, Conservatives see liberals as either Scorpio from Dirty Harry or the soldier that George C. Scott bitch slaps in Patton.

Ghostbusters (1984)

The villain is an EPA bureaucrat. This is the counterpoint to Wall Street!

Red Dawn (1984)

The counterpoint to Reds. Commies are not our friends! Instead of beer hall rallies, it’s pistols on the American plains. The film is a two hour infomercial for the 2nd Amendment.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Gump contrasts the two versions of the baby boom generation. This film shows the negative side of the 60s and liberalism. Liberals die of AIDS and at the same time, hard work and perseverance can make anyone a shrimp millionaire!

Braveheart (1995)

Freedom is not free. Sometimes, you have to fight. Governments and kings can be the oppressor.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Tolkien was a conservative and this is loosely based on World War II. Classic good vs. evil. Listen to any of the monologues. They are straight out of the Churchill-Reagan files. This really fit the post 911 world and struck a chord with audiences.

Cinderella Man (2005)

Russell Crowe is embarrassed to be on government assistance. He works hard to get out of poverty and help his family. He even pays the government back.

300 (2006)

This might be the most conservative movie ever made. Leonidas (George W Bush) sees the coming Persian (Islamic Terrorist) threat and moves to stop it. He has to deal with traitors at home (liberals) and within his own midst (bureaucrats and the media). Leonidas and the 300 go down like the GOP in 2006 and 2008. The movie ends with a highnote as the Greeks unite to defeat Xerxes (Osama Bin Laden).