Are the hot gates real?

Thermopylae, also known as Hot Gates, is a small region in Central Greece, carrying the legend and valor of a great and touching moment in Greek history.

Do the hot gates exist?

Located at 136 km northwest of Athens, in the municipality of Lamia, the narrow pass of Thermopylae (Hot Gates) derives its name from the hot sulfur springs in the area.

Where are the hot gates in real life?

The Thermopylae, the "hot gates" or also "gates of fire," is a mountain pass at the foot of Mount Kallidromo in modern Greece where legend tells that King Leonidas and 300 of his Spartan warriors fought millions of Persians during Xerxes' invasion of Greece in 480 B.C. They were able to hold the mountain pass for ...

Can you go to the hot gates?

Its name "the Hot Gates" comes from the hot sulfur springs found there, in Greek mythology was the entrance to the underworld of Hades. Anyone can visit the site today. As this is a battlefield site and not a large archaeological site, it won't take long to see and explore the site (no more than 30 minutes).

Is the story of 300 true?

Like the comic book, the “300” takes inspirations from the real Battle of Thermopylae and the events that took place in the year of 480 BC in ancient Greece. An epic movie for an epic historical event. However, how close was the movie to the actual events and characters?

Episode 21: The Hot Gates

Does the city of Sparta still exist?

Sparta (Greek: Σπάρτη Spárti [ˈsparti]) is a town and municipality in Laconia, Greece. It lies at the site of ancient Sparta. The municipality was merged with six nearby municipalities in 2011, for a total population (as of 2011) of 35,259, of whom 17,408 lived in the city.

Are the Spartans real?

Contents. Sparta was a warrior society in ancient Greece that reached the height of its power after defeating rival city-state Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.). Spartan culture was centered on loyalty to the state and military service.

How tall is Xerxes?

Xerxes, the king of Persia, is portrayed as seven feet tall. Actor Rodrigo Santoro is only 6'2". Not too shabby, but the other 10 inches are special effects.

Does Thermopylae still exist?

Thermopylae, Modern Greek Thermopýles, also spelled Thermopílai, narrow pass on the east coast of central Greece between the Kallídhromon massif and the Gulf of Maliakós, about 85 miles (136 km) northwest of Athens (Athína).

How long did the Spartans hold the hot gates?

He is the author of the History in an Afternoon textbook series. One of the all-time great stories of ancient history involved the defense of Thermopylae, when a narrow pass was held for three days against a vast Persian army by just 300 Spartans, 299 of whom perished.

Where is Leonidas Sparta buried?

The tomb of Leonidas is the only preserved monument of the Ancient Agora. The tomb of Leonidas, north to the modern town of Sparta, is an emblem and an important monument, as it is the only monument preserved from the Ancient Agora.

Is the Battle of Thermopylae real?

The Battle of Thermopylae was a battle in 480 BCE in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae. It was fought between Greek and Persian forces during the Greco-Persian Wars.

Who betrayed Sparta?

In the 1962 film The 300 Spartans, Ephialtes was portrayed by Kieron Moore and is depicted as a loner who worked on a goat farm near Thermopylae. He betrays the Spartans to the Persians out of greed for riches, and, it is implied, unrequited love for a Spartan girl named Ellas.

How much of 300 is accurate?

The director of 300, Zack Snyder, stated in an MTV interview that "the events are 90 percent accurate. It's just in the visualization that it's crazy.... I've shown this movie to world-class historians who have said it's amazing. They can't believe it's as accurate as it is."

Why is it called hot gates?

Thermopylae means "hot gates," in reference to the presence of the hot sulphur springs in the area. The cavernous entrance to Hades, the underworld of Greek mythology, was said to be at Thermopylae.

Who are the descendants of the Spartans?

Apart from its picturesque setting overlooking the Ionic sea, the Peninsula was also home to the Spartans, the legendary Greek warriors. The Maniots (inhabitants of the Mani Peninsula) therefore are considered direct descendants of Spartans.

Are the immortals in 300 real?

The Ten Thousand Immortals were the elite force of the Persian army of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE). They formed the king's personal bodyguard and were also considered the shock troops of the infantry in Persian warfare. They are among the most famous fighting forces of the ancient world.

Was the Spartan 300 real?

It is true there were only 300 Spartan soldiers at the battle of Thermopylae but they were not alone, as the Spartans had formed an alliance with other Greek states. It is thought that the number of ancient Greeks was closer to 7,000. The size of the Persian army is disputed.

Is the story of Leonidas true?

530-480 B.C.) was a king of the city-state of Sparta from about 490 B.C. until his death at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Persian army in 480 B.C. Although Leonidas lost the battle, his death at Thermopylae was seen as a heroic sacrifice because he sent most of his army away when he realized that the Persians ...

How did Xerxes look like?

Based on ancient carved stone reliefs remaining from the Achaemenid Dynasty, Xerxes is actually depicted as having long curly hair and beard, adorned with a crown and royal robe.

Was Xerxes a real person?

Xerxes I, Old Persian Khshayarsha, byname Xerxes the Great, (born c. 519 bce—died 465, Persepolis, Iran), Persian king (486–465 bce), the son and successor of Darius I.

How do I become a Spartan?

Was the Trojan War real?

Was the Trojan War real? There has been much debate over historical evidence of the Trojan War. Archaeological finds in Turkey suggest that the city of Troy did exist but that a conflict on the immense scale of a 10-year siege may not have actually occurred.