2006's 300 is epic on every scale. From its dialogue to its soundtrack to the amazing cinematography, this film does it big on every level. But does this epic action movie does justice to the Spartans themselves? Just how close did 300 get to representing the real world of the ancient Greek kingdom, with its tough and brave men and women? And were the Spartans even the 'good guys'? Here are some of the most amazing facts about the real Sparta, and how it compared to Zack Snyder's mesmerizing movie.
The Spartans: Were They Really “The Good Guys”?
The Greeks, which include the Spartans, often conquered surrounding areas in the quest to gain both land and slaves. Many slaves were forced to fight for the Greeks. Many also fought with the Spartan elite at the Battle of Thermopylae. So unfortunately, no.
"The Spartans were a paradoxical people,” Frank Miller explains “They were the biggest slave owners in Greece. But at the same time, Spartan women had an unusual level of rights ... I didn't want to render Sparta in overly accurate terms, because ultimately I do want you to root for the Spartans. I couldn't show them being quite as cruel as they were. I made them as cruel as I thought a modern audience could stand."
Did Spartans Truly Fight With Little-To-No Body Armor?
In the movie 300, Spartan soldiers fought nearly naked with nothing more than what can only be described as battle skirts, helmets, and nothing more.
However, according to the author of 300, Frank Miller, body armor was historically a valuable asset to Spartans. He told Entertainment Weekly, “I took those chest plates and leather skirts off of them for a reason. I wanted these guys to move and I wanted 'em to look good. ... Spartans, in full regalia, were almost indistinguishable except at a very close angle."
Xerxes Was Pretty Scandalous
Although he wasn't 9 feet tall, Xerxes did have a track record of bad behavior, and one of the most note-worthy incidents had to do with an affair that the Persian king had with non-other than his own niece!
This affair lead to a chain of tragedies (if the incest wasn't tragedy enough). When Xerxes' wife found out about the affair, she had the girl's mother's face mutilated, and the king had his rightfully outraged brother, his nephews, and all of their supporters executed. It's safe to say that Xerxes may not have been the demon portrayed in the movie, but he was certainly no angel.
Did the Persians Really Use Elephants and Rhinos?
If there is something that's scarier than a furious, war-hungry soldier charging toward you, is a furious, war-hungry soldier charging toward you on the back of a rhino. But as amazing as this looks on-screen, it's not exactly what happened during the battle.
The Persian army was 20% calvary, meaning that they used horses, not rhinos or elephants in battle. The reason rhinos and elephants were used in the movie is due to 300 author Frank Miller and the filmmakers, who wanted to add a bit of fantasy to the movie.
Who Inspired the Persian Immortals?
Yes! The Immortals, an elite fighting unit, were actually the personal bodyguards of Xerxes. Although in the film they wore shiny masks to hide their horrific faces (a fictional element by 300 author Frank Miller), historically they wrapped their faces in see-through cloth.
The fighting group was named the Immortals because they always kept the strength of exactly 10,000 men- when one was killed or injured, they immediately replaced him with a new one. Sadly, the Immortal’s downfall was that they weren’t armored heavily enough against the Greek hoplites. Their shields were made of wicker which was not strong enough against Spartan weapons.
Were Spartan Women Accurately Represented?
Surprisingly enough, the role of Spartan women in 300 is depicted accurately. The Spartans are set apart from other cultures because of the freedom and empowerment that Spartan women had. One might even compare this freedom to that of present-day women.
The film exhibits Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) as a strong-willed woman who advises her husband on both political and military issues. There is even a scene in the movie where a Persian messenger insults the Queen after she gives her feedback during a political discussion, likely because the Persian didn’t feel women should comment on such matters.
Why Only King Leonidas Wore a Plumed Helmet?
Although history shows that all Spartan soldiers had plumes on their helmets (the red bands of horsehair sticking out from atop the helmets), they had very little practical function.
The sole purpose of the plumes was to give the warrior a royal-like appearance, make him appear taller, and generate intimidation amongst enemies. "Another liberty I took was, they all had plumes, but I only gave a plume to Leonidas, to make him stand out and identify him as a king,” Frank Miller, 300 graphic novelist explained.
Was Council Member Theron Actually Killed by Queen Gorgo?
No. The filmmakers added this as an element of fiction to enhance Queen Gorgo’s role in the storyline. "At first I very much disagreed with it,” shared author Frank Miller in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “My main comment was, 'This is a boys' movie. Let it be that.'
The story itself, in historical terms, really didn't involve her all that much, from most accounts. But Zack had his reasons. He wanted to show that King Leonidas was fighting for something, by giving him a romantic aspect and by lingering in Sparta a little bit." In real life, King Leonidas, Queen Gorgo’s husband, was actually her half-uncle (Gorgo’s dad and Leonidas shared the same father).
Did Young Spartan Boys Realy Leave Home at Age Seven?
In the movie, the training regime that the young Spartan boy begins on his 7th birthday is called agoge (the literal translation is “raising”). Agoge involved military training, dancing, hunting, loving mentorship, and social preparation which all preceded separation from one’s family.
In the movie, the training regime that the young Spartan boy begins on his 7th birthday is called agoge (the literal translation is “raising”). Agoge involved military training, dancing, hunting, loving mentorship, and social preparation which all preceded separation from one’s family.
Was Queen Gorgo Really Active In Spartan Politics?
Gorgo was just as amazing in reality, apparently. She allegedly advised her father to not trust Aristagoras when she was only 8 or 9 years old! Later, she makes another appearance in Herodotus’ Histories, where he tells of her revealing a hidden message sent from Demaratos to Sparta.
Additionally, several of Queen Gorgo’s quotes in the movie 300 had actually appeared in the writings of the Greek historian Plutarch: "When asked by a woman from Attica, 'Why are you Spartan women the only ones who can rule men?', she said: 'Because we are also the only ones who give birth to men.'"
Did the Spartans Fight Single-Handedly?
One of the biggest problems with the movie 300 is that it gives the impression that the only Greek force to lead an attack against the Persians was the Spartans. Historically, there was a battle on the straits adjacent to Thermopylae. There, Greek fleets held off Persian fleets.
Not long after, the Athenian-led fleet destroyed the Persian fleet during the Battle of Salamis, a major turning point in the war that ultimately saved Greece. Just before these battles, the Athenians asked Leonidas of Sparta to help them fight against the Persians. Instead of proceeding as battling city-states, the joining of Athens and Sparta to fight together against Persia marked the beginning of Greece as a unified nation. The movie 300, however, left these details out.
Was the Persian King Xerxes Really 9-Feet-Tall?
No, and he never actually went to the front line at the Battle of Thermopylae! The real Persian King Xerxes was much shorter and had a beard. The actor who plays King Xerxes in 300, Rodrigo Santoro (featured on ABC’s Lost), is around 6’2”, but his height was altered for the role to make him appear taller.
Additionally, Rodrigo’s voice was manipulated. While the movie used his real voice, they scaled down the pitch. The director, Zack Snyder, shared his experience with Xerxes’ exaggerated features, “...because we scaled him as we did, when his normal voice played, it was even stranger to me. He was out of scale of his voice, not that it wasn't commanding."
Were There Really Catchphrases From King Leonidas?
According to the writing of Spartan historians like Plutarch, Herodotus, and other sources. One of the true-to-history quotes from the film is when Leonidas replies to Xerxes. On the first day of the battle, Xerxes demands the Greeks give up their weapons. Leonidas’ response is, “Come and get them.”
This phrase has been reused throughout history by generals and politicians and is even the emblem of the Greek 1st Army Corps. Another line from the movie, “we shall fight in the shade”, is based on the quote said by a Spartan soldier named Dienekes. Dienekes’ original words, after he was told that the Persian arrows would be so numerous as “to blot out the sun.”
Did Leonidas Really Consulte the Oracle?
Like many leaders in the ancient world, King Leonidas sought the approval of the gods, so yes. Similar to the movie, an Oracle at Delphi, located in a temple raised over a small chasm, guided King Leonidas regarding his decision to go to battle.
The Oracle was a woman who would generally babble something incoherent and the priests (elders) would take her word for it, as she was considered to possess unique prophetic wisdom. Some historians believe that the reason King Leonidas decided to stay and fight, as opposed to falling back to regroup, was because the Oracle prophesied to the Spartans that a king’s death would save Greece (as she did in the movie).
Were Babies Really Deemed Unfit and Discarded?
Yes, Eugenics was practiced by the Spartans according to Plutarch, the Greek historian from 46 A.D. - 127 A.D. He wrote that if a child was found to be healthy, it was to be kept and raised.
But if it was found to be unhealthy or deformed, it would be taken "...to what was called 'the place of rejection', a precipitous spot by Mount Taygetus, considering it better both for itself and the state that the child should die if right from its birth it was poorly endowed for health or strength." He also described various other customs that the Spartans used to ensure that their population was strong and thriving, such as fit young men sleeping with young women regardless of their marital status so as to create "fine children" who would come from good bloodlines.
Is the Character Of Ephialtes the Traitor Real?
Yes, although the real person was a local shepherd (also named Ephialtes) who likely was not a hunchback, graphic novelist Frank Miller decided to present the traitor as a disfigured man, placing emphasis on the Spartan’s practice of eugenics.
Although in the movie Ephialtes betrays the Spartans because he feels rejected, there is no historical record of King Leonidas’ rejection. Ephialtes betrays the Spartans by revealing to Persian King Xerxes the narrow passage that will lead the Persian army behind the Greeks. In reality, Ephialtes most likely betrayed the Spartans out of fear or hope for reward-- much like in the movie when deep-voiced Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) promises him wealth and women.
Were the Spartans Really So Different From Other Greeks?
Today we tend to see ancient Greece as one culture, but in fact, all the Greek city-states were wildly different from one another, and Sparta most of all.
This is shown in the film 300 after King Leonidas asks a few Arcadian soldiers to state their professions. Afterward, Leonidas turns to his own Spartan soldiers, asking them, “What is your profession men?”, at which point they all reply with a loud warrior cry. This showed that the Spartans were soldiers by trade and focused more on war than other Greeks.
How Do We Know About the Spartans and Persians?
A large amount of what historians know can be traced back to Herodotus, a Dorian Greek historian, who lived from 484 BC to 425 BC. His collections of writings, known as The Histories, outline the invasions of Greece by the Persians.
He was criticized in ancient times for the inaccuracy of his writings since he often shared multiple accounts of an event then picked the one he felt most likely happened. Aside from this, he is still considered the “father of history”. On top of Herodotus’ Histories, other ways historians have learned about the Spartans and the Persians are through archaeological discoveries and various other writings.
Does 300 Have a Political Message?
The reason one might think this is because the film shows a small band of European freedom fighters fighting off a large army of Iranian slaves. Although Zack Snyder stated he never made the movie to be a commentary on current events, people still might draw comparisons to today’s world conflicts.
"Someone asked me, 'Is George Bush Leonidas or Xerxes?” Snyder said. “I said, 'That's an awesome question.' The fact they asked tells me that this movie can mean one thing to one person and something totally different to another. I clearly didn't mean either. I was just trying to get Frank's book made into a movie."
Who Is Today’s Equivalent of Spartan Soldiers, According to Author Frank Miller?
"The closest comparison you can draw in terms of our own military today,” shared graphic novelist Miller, “is to think of the red-caped Spartans as being like our special-ops forces.
They're these almost superhuman characters with a tremendous warrior ethic, who were unquestionably the best fighters in Greece."
What Made Today's Iran so Upset Over the Movie 300?
Only two days after 300’s release in the US, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the government of Iran was unhappy with the way the movie depicted Iranian culture. The art advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Javad Shamqadri, claimed that the film was "part of a comprehensive U.S. psychological war aimed at Iranian culture".
Shamqadri also stated, “Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Hollywood and cultural authorities in the U.S. initiated studies to figure out how to attack Iranian culture...Certainly, the recent movie is a product of such studies.” Shamqadri concluded by saying that the goals of the movie would be pointless because “values in Iranian culture and the Islamic Revolution are too strongly seated to be damaged by such plans.”
Historical Truths Behind Game Of Thrones
Game of Thrones took the world by storm when it came out in 2011. Most people tend to think of the popular television series as a fantastic work of pure fiction, but you might be surprised to learn that the beautifully-conceived plot and characters are partially based on actual historic events and people. Brilliant author of the best-selling fantasy epic series A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin, was asked about the inspiration behind his wondrous creation. He wisely responded that “fantasy and historical novels are twins”. Martin's bold statement certainly holds water.
Historical allegories are found within the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the most famous fantasy writer of all time. Like Tolkien, Martin’s fictional world bears numerous striking similarities to real-world history. By no means does this detract from Martin’s expert penmanship, but much of the core narrative, places, peoples, and events of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, reproduced superbly on television as Game of Thrones, was borrowed from real human history. A bit of a heads up before you read on, there are some spoilers for seasons 1-7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones ahead!
Old Valyria and the Ancient Roman Empire Bear Striking Similarities
In Game of Thrones, the ancient Valyrian Freehold is a great empire that once ruled a significant portion of the known world. Situated on the lush continent of Essos, Valyria was governed by a group of noble families known collectively as the "Dragonlords". The Valyria Freehold established itself by conquering neighboring rivals. Beginning by dismantling the Old Empire of Ghis, the Dragonlords moved on to conquer the Andals and Rhonyar. As their might grew, so did their civilization advance. Legendary wonders were constructed using new technology, technology that was lost when the Valyrian Freehold collapsed. That technology remained lost for four hundred years. The fall of the Valyrian Freehold plunged the world into conflict as its constituent successor nations vied for power.
Writers like George R.R. Martin have a clever way of spicing up history with a dash of dragons and magic, but the parallels between Valyria and the ancient Roman Empire are clearly present. Like Valyria, Rome was nominally a republic for much of its history, governed chiefly by an aristocratic elite known as “patricians”. During the formative years of the Roman Republic, the ruling patricians were the only ones permitted to hold political office. Rome offered its own citizen’s rights but enslaved many of its enemies. Akin to Valyria, Roman engineers developed a level of technology that endured through the ages, long after their destruction. It took centuries for builders to learn how to replicate Roman structures. Just like the famed Roman roads, Martin specifically included the “Valyrian roads” as one of the seven “Wonders Made by Man”.
Shockingly Bizarre Weather Patterns During the Middle Ages
The map of Westeros is like a slightly altered British Isles, geographically mirroring our own world, but the seasons in Game of Thrones appear to be purely fantastical. Instead of having regular seasons, with predictable years, Martin’s world has a decidedly different seasonal cycle. The northern-most locations of the world are colder than those of the south, similar to earth, but rather than lasting for approximately three months at a time, the world of Westeros endures seasons of long, unpredictable lengths. When we join the people of Westeros at the beginning of the series, the world has seen a nine-year-long summer, but winter is coming.
Hardcore fans will argue that Martin's cyclical pattern is not natural, but rather a lasting remnant of the Long Night which allegedly occurred eight thousand years prior to the events of the show. One might be surprised to learn that the weather patterns of Game of Thrones, though seemingly fantastical, mirror those of an uncommon period in Medieval European history. For about 300 years, from roughly 950 to 1250 CE, there was a time known as the Medieval Warm Period where earth witnessed the hottest recorded temperatures until the modern era. Following this “long summer”, the world was plunged into the Little Ice Age, which lasted from approximately 1300 to 1850. Temperatures dropped precipitously as the world entered into a very long winter. Brrr!
England's Prickly Civil Wars of the Roses
One of the core components of Game of Thrones narrative between the closing episodes of season one lasting into season four is the War of the Five Kings. The repercussions of the conflict resonate throughout the following seasons. A prolonged civil war throughout the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the War of the Five Kings was sparked by the untimely death of King Robert I. Three rival factions compete for the Iron Throne – Joffrey Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, and Renly Baratheon. Two additional strong independence movements, led by Robb Stark, King in the North, and Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands, flare-up to create a nasty mess.
The War of the Five Kings is clearly inspired by the true events of the English Wars of the Roses, though Martin conveniently condenses the violence down to a five-year-long period. The bloody Wars of Roses lasted from 1455 until 1487 spanning generations. The rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet, the House of Lancaster, and the House of York engaged in a bloody struggle until the throne was ultimately passed to a distant relative, Henry Tudor. As in Game of Thrones, the Wars of Roses concluded with the deaths of the entire male royal line. There are numerous parallels between Martin's story and that of history including mothers ruling in their son’s name, claimants growing up exiled in distant lands, and a wealthy non-royal family acting as the true power behind the throne.
Keeping Out the Barbarians With the Great Wall of Hadrian
Perhaps one of the most memorable and striking features of northern Westeros is The Wall, a colossal fortification stretching for three hundred miles along the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms. The Wall is supposedly constructed out of solid ice. Built under the direction of Bran the Builder, it separates the southern realm from the untamed lands beyond. Using means unknown, but presumed to include magic, the seven-hundred-foot-high barrier is believed to have been built some eight thousand years prior to the events of the show. The original purpose of the wall, forgotten by most, was to defend the realms of men from the White Walkers. By the time of the War of the Five Kings, most people of Westeros believe the fortification’s role is to prevent an invasion by the dangerous indigenous inhabitants beyond the wall: the wildlings.
The Wall marking the northern boundary of the Seven Kingdoms bears multiple similarities to that of Hadrian’s Wall of the Roman Empire, even though Hadrian's Wall is not made of ice or seven hundred feet tall. Hadrian’s Wall, built in the Roman province of Britannia, spans the width of northern England between the River Tyne and the Solway Firth. It was constructed beginning in 122 CE during the reign of Emperor Hadrian as a defensive fortification. Twenty years after the completion of Hadrian's Wall came the Antonine Wall. Though not nearly as famous as its counterpart, the Antoine Wall marked the northernmost limits of Roman Britain. Spanning sixty-three miles across the Central Belt of Scotland, the three-meter-high wall was abandoned less than a decade after completion.
Mount Vesuvius Versus the Doom of Valyria
The “Doom of Valyria” was a catastrophic event that precipitated the collapse of the Valyrian Freehold almost four hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones. Destroying the city of Old Valyria, the devastation caused by “The Doom” shattered the landmass known as the Valyrian Peninsula and sunk much of the ancient civilization beneath the seas. It is unclear whether the origin of “The Doom” was due to natural misfortune or powerful magic, but it is known that the Fourteen Fires, a chain of volcanoes located near Valyria, simultaneously erupted in a legendary natural disaster of epic proportions.
Instances of natural forces, especially volcanoes, conspiring to devastate human civilizations tell similar stories. Perhaps you've heard of the petrified figures at Pompeii, Italy. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE released more than one hundred thousand times the thermal energy of the nuclear bombings of 1945, obliterating the surrounding cities, including Pompeii. An even closer comparison, though less famous, is the Minoan eruption during the mid-second millennium BCE. Devastating the island of Thera, the eruption triggered the downfall of the Minoan civilization. Its destruction upon nearby islands is what spawned the legend of Atlantis.
Aegon the Conqueror's Character Based on William the Conqueror
Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, is the founder of the Targaryen dynasty of Westeros. He was the first Lord of the Seven Kingdoms conquering six of the seven constituent parts of the island of Westeros over a period of two years. Only Dorne eluded his domination. Aegon established his new capital at the site of his landing on the mainland and instituted a new kingdom under united governance. With designs for conquest, and retaining a prolonged belief in unifying the country, Aegon the Conqueror has evident parallels with historical figure William the Conqueror.
Reigning from 1066 until his death in 1087, William the Conqueror was the first Norman King of England and Duke of Normandy. Like his fictitious reproduction, William led invading forces on the island he sought to govern. Equally reproduced in Martin's Westeros, the England desired by William had been historically divided among multiple competing kingdoms. The Normal noble first laid claim to the English crown during the 1050s, following the death of Edward the Confessor. He challenged Harold Godwinson for the title. Defeating his enemy at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror endured nine years of continual conflict before finally pacifying the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of England and securing his position.
Incestuous Queens Are More Than Fantasy
Cersei Lannister, the wife of King Robert Baratheon, became Queen of the Seven Kingdoms at the young age of nineteen upon a last-minute alliance between her father, Tywin, and the rebels during the War of the Usurper. Cersei's three children – Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen – were born of an incestuous and adulterous relationship with her twin brother, Ser Jaime Lannister. Though she outlives her husband, Cersei bears witness to the deaths of all three of her beloved children, two by murder and one by suicide. She then claims the vacant Iron Throne herself. Although deviating from the historical narrative towards the conclusion of Cersei’s story, the “Mad Queen” is highly reminiscent of Anne Boleyn.
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536. The marriage between the pair marked the start of the English Reformation following Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. In spite of pursuing her affections for many years, the couple’s relationship quickly soured. King Henry VIII desired a son and was greatly disappointed with the birth of the future Queen of England, Elizabeth I, in September of 1533. Henry began courting other women whilst Anne allegedly entered into an incestuous relationship with her brother George. Despite an absence of corroborating evidence, Anne Boleyn was convicted for this, as well as for treason, and beheaded in May of 1536.
King Robert Baratheon and King Henry VIII Unquestionably Alike
In Game of Thrones, Robert I Baratheon reigns as the seventeenth ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, but he is the first monarch of the country to not belong to House Targaryen. Rhaegar, Prince of Dragonstone, allegedly abducted Robert’s betrothed, Lyanna Stark, initiating a rebellion against King Aerys II Targaryen, commonly known as the “Mad King”. Widely known for his prowess as a warrior, Robert suffered just one defeat in the field, and personally killed the Mad King at the Battle of the Trident. Robert was a great general, an inspirational leader in his prime until gored a wild boar. A passionate devotee of hunting, feasting, and womanizing, the character of Robert, if not his path to kingship, heavily mirrors that of King Henry VIII of England.
Henry VIII inherited his title after the death of his father, Henry VII, in 1509. Though not quite the military mastermind that Robert Baratheon was, Henry is known as “one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne”. King Henry VIII had a grand total of six marriages. Using the proceeds from the Dissolution of the Monasteries to finance his lifestyle, he was known for his lavish expenditures. In the end, however, this fortune proved insufficient and the realm was almost bankrupted by debt in a manner similar to Robert. A fan of hunting and jousting in his younger days, Henry grew severely obese as he aged. Robert’s death by way of a hunting accident pays homage to England's greedy king.
The Night's Watch Is Based on Real Historical Organizations
Charged with safeguarding The Wall, and hence the entire realm, against attacks from the frozen territories beyond, the military order of the Night’s Watch is an extremely old brotherhood. It was founded approximately eight thousand years before the events of Game of Thrones. In monk-like fashion, members of the Night's Watch must swear solemn vows renouncing marriage, family, lands, or titles. Members of the order, having forsworn prior allegiances, are inducted for life under penalty of death for desertion. Similarly, the Knight’s Templar, formally known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was an order of elite fighting men founded in 1119 at the behest of the Pope and existing until disbandment in 1312.
Once joining the Knight's Templar, you were a member for life. Affiliates were required to take severe oaths of poverty and chastity. Any physical contact with women and even relatives was strictly forbidden. Prominent throughout the Crusades, the order fought to protect and further the common good of all peoples of Christendom. Martin’s knowledge of archaic military orders is substantial. Another of his eminent groups in Game of Thrones, the Unsullied, is also inspired by an actual historical organization. The Ottoman Janissaries, an elite fighting corps, comprised of enslaved children taken at a young age, though they were spared the castration inflicted upon their fictional counterparts. They were, however, required to remain celibate during their service.
Young King Joffrey Baratheon Depicts Petulant Tyrants of the Past
The scariest thing about an angry child is that they have no control. It's especially terrifying when children become powerful rulers. Following the death of his supposed father Robert, Joffrey Baratheon inherits the crown at the volatile age of sixteen, becoming the eighteenth occupant of the Iron Throne. By this time, Joffrey already displayed disturbing personality traits such as immense arrogance and sadistic qualities. Prior to becoming king, the short-lived ruler of the Seven Kingdoms delighted in sickening displays of cruelty and torment. He physically and psychologically abused his betrothed, Sansa Stark, and violently murdered whores. Cringingly, King Joffrey would mutilate and execute his people for the slightest offenses. Joffrey was an ineffective ruler who was finally assassinated four years after taking power, far too long if you ask most people.
Who could possibly have inspired Martin to create such a monstrous fictional character? Edward of Lancaster, the son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou, possessed a fearful tyrannical streak. Edward, like Joffrey, suffered rumors of illegitimate birth. He was obsessed with beheading and torturing people. As fate would have it, the would-be king was stabbed to death by Edward IV before he could claim his father’s crown. Talk about karma! Also warranting comparison to King Joffrey is the Roman Emperor Caligula who inherited his throne at a young age. He was reputedly a self-declared sadist and vicious ruler who became hated by his own people. In an attempt to restore order to the realm, the insane young tyrant was murdered after only three years on power. Things don't typically work out very well for tyrants, in real life or on TV.
Setting the Stage for A Gruesome Wedding
Take an award-winning author, combine his wordsmithing skills with some seriously messed up history and, voila, you have the grisly tale of the Red Wedding. As retribution against King Robb Stark for breaking a marriage pact with his house, Lord Walder Frey organized the insidious Red Wedding. The wedding turned out to be a grand-scale massacre in disguise and a critical turning point in the War of the Five Kings. Under the guise of a wedding celebration between Lord Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey, the inhospitable Freys butchered their guests, approximately 15,000 in total. This included the entire leadership of the Northern rebellion. Afterward, turncoat Lord Frey declared allegiance to the Lannisters and King Joffrey. Though somewhat exaggerated, this morbid twist in the plot is based upon multiple actual events, namely the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692.
Freshly crowned king of England, William of Orange, felt that the Scottish MacDonald clan had failed to deliver their oaths in a timely fashion. He, therefore, dispatched one-hundred-and-twenty soldiers to the MacDonalds. The soldiers were offered accommodations and respite from the cold. But in the middle of the night, the king’s men treacherously murdered thirty-eight of their hosts, forcing a further forty to die in the cold from a blizzard. Equally brutal was the Black Dinner of 1440. Sixteen-year-old Earl of Douglas and his younger brother were cordially invited to dine with the ten-year-old James II. Hysterically fearing the Black Douglas clan was becoming too powerful, young James had the brothers dragged outside mid-meal and beheaded. In the east, more parallels can be drawn. For instance, the second part of the Kojiki describes how the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, consolidated his power by murdering all of his political rivals at a feast.
Everyone Loves An Intimidating Female Heroine
It's a great time in history for women to flex their power. Brienne of Tarth is one of the few warrior women we see from the Seven Kingdoms outside of the Iron Islands. The only daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth, Brienne initially swears allegiance to Renly Baratheon. After failing to protect Renly, the forlorn Brienne pledges to Lady Catelyn Stark to recover and protect her daughters. Unlikely companions, Brienne of Tarth and Ser Jaime Lannister form a close bond during their captivity together. Throughout Game of Thrones, Brienne is repeatedly scorned for her lack of femininity and desire to be a warrior. Martin's brave female fighter is a clear criticism of the patriarchal societies of the Middle Ages.
Although evidently a composite character of multiple individuals from history, Brienne is most noticeably inspired by the real-life Joan of Arc. Born 1412 CE, the “Maid of Orléans” remains a fiercely popular saint of the French and a prominent figure from the Hundred Years’ War. Joan of Arc was supposedly called to action by visions from angels and saints. At a young age, Joan embarked on a mission to recover the lost lands of France from the English, and she succeeded. Sadly, Joan was captured in 1430 by her own people. A French faction known as the Burgundian party, nobles allied with the English, relinquished Joan into English custody. Charged with heresy and cross-dressing as a man by wearing armor, Joan was found guilty and burned alive at the stake on May 30, 1431. Since the time of her death, many famous writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists, and composers continue to create cultural depictions of her.
These Abnormal Guys Are Not to Be Underestimated
Just because you were born differently than most doesn't mean you should be looked down upon. Few characters live up to this argument better than the masterfully portrayed character, Tyrion Lannister. The youngest child of overlord Tywin Lannister, Cersei and Jaime's brother Tyrion Lannister is commonly referred to as “The Imp” due to his dwarfism. While short of stature, this man is not to be underestimated. Tyrion stoically suffers the hurtful remarks and humiliations Martin's Medieval society has to offer those who are different. He endures his mistreatment whilst still managing to rise to the lofty position of the king's Hand under Joffrey Baratheon, and he does it with his wits. Tyrion heroically defends King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon. After being framed for his king’s murder, Tyrion is forced to flee to Essos where he becomes Hand to the Queen under Daenerys Targaryen. His story was clearly inspired by that of the Roman Emperor Claudius.
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was overlooked as a potential candidate for the emperor due to his speech impediment and limp. Claudius, like Tyrion, was looked down upon by the society he inhabited. After decades of struggle to prove his critics wrong, Claudius used sheer intellect to gain power, despite his physical shortcomings. Other parallels have been drawn between the character of Tyrion and historical figure Richard III. Both men suffered physical deformities and both were accused of murdering their nephew. However, whereas history condemned Richard III, Martin elects to absolve Tyrion. This could suggest Martin's opinion on the ongoing debate surrounding Richard’s culpability.
Red Faith Mirrors Ancient Persian Faith of Zoroastrianism
The Red Faith is introduced in Game of Thrones as a mystical foreign religion advocating worship of the “lord of light”, also known as R’hllor. Introduced in season two, the lord of light appears to his followers in the form of fire. Melisandre, a priestess from Asshai, proclaims the Red Faith an eternal war against darkness. She aims to convert all the citizens of Westeros, abolishing their traditional deities. Though some fans have compared the Red Faith to early Christian themes, a far more consistent parallel is the older Persian religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism introduces the spiritual concept of a struggle between light and dark, the existence of demons, and many other features later adopted by Christianity. The main difference, however, is Zoroastrianism's intimate relationship with fire.
Many people commonly associate fire with evil, hell, and the devil. In the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism, however, fire serves as a medium for spiritual awareness with its followers commonly using fire in prayer. Additionally, significant similarities can be drawn between Martin's Priestess Melisandre and the Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin. Both self-proclaimed religious leaders rose from nothing to hold powerful roles within a royal household, both won the trust of the monarchy, and both were greatly feared by the general public. Moreover, Melisandre and Rasputin could both allegedly cheat death, which is pretty cool. They also happen to share the frightful commonality of having contributed to the downfall of the royal house they served.
George Plantagenet Bears an Uncanny Resemblance to Theon Greyjoy
One of the most despicable of George R.R. Martin's characters is the morally-deficient Theon Greyjoy. Taken hostage as a young child after his father's failed rebellion, Theon was raised in Winterfell alongside the Stark children. Early on in Game of Thrones, Theon Greyjoy pledges loyalty to his childhood friend Robb Stark when Robb is declared King in the North. His loyalty turns out to be short-lived, however, as Theon soon betrays his adopted family. Siding with his original family, House Greyjoy, in the War of the Five Kings, Theon attacks Winterfell and captures the seat of House Stark. Yet Theon is betrayed in turn, captured, tortured, and even castrated by the deplorable Ramsay Snow. The core narrative of Theon’s journey resembles that of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, during the English Wars of the Roses.
The younger brother of Kings Edward IV and Richard III, George Plantagenet, son of Richard Plantagenet, initially supported his family house, the House of York, in the civil war. Following the split between Warwick and York, George traitorously turned his back on his brothers by joining the Lancastrian cause. Power-hungry, the renegade hoped to advance his own claim to the throne, but this line of thinking rarely works out well. When the Lancastrian fortunes changed, George figured he could simply revert back to the York side. Bad idea. Trust broken, George was convicted of treason against his brother and sentenced to death. He didn't suffer the mutilations of Theon, but George was supposedly drowned in a vat of wine. There are worse ways to go.
Mythical Greek Fire Used by the Byzantines
What if a weapon existed that could change the tide of war? Martin developed such a weapon, but he had a little help with the idea. A flammable liquid created by The Alchemists’ Guild of King’s Landing created a flammable liquid aptly named wildfire. Immensely dangerous, wildfire is a substance capable of igniting and exploding with enormous force. It's so hot, in fact, that water is unable to extinguish it. Wildfire burns bright green, to the dismay of enemy combatants. This combustive creation of the old order of pyromancers was used on two occasions in the show’s history: once during the Battle of Blackwater Bay and secondly to cause the Destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor. Wildfire may sound like something out of a magic show, but it is actually based on a real-life incendiary weapon historically known as “Greek fire”.
Greek fire was a highly advanced flame-throwing weapon employed by the Eastern Roman Empire. Developed around 672 CE, this powerful concoction is said to have been capable of igniting upon contact with water. The Byzantines typically deployed their secret combustible compound during naval confrontations, giving them a huge advantage. Greek fire continued to blaze upon the surface of water, burning unlucky ships as they passed through. It became widely feared throughout the known world, but the precise formula was a closely guarded state secret. Scientists have tried to make it, but the precise combination of ingredients was never learned. Arab engineers had a great opportunity to figure it out when they captured a fireship in the 9th century, but they were still unable to reverse engineer the lethal substance.
Born to Power and Privilege
By the age of sixteen, Ser Jaime Lannister, eldest son of Tywin Lannister, became the youngest member to ever join the Kingsguard. Masterful with a sword, Jaime achieved further fame when he murdered Aerys II, earning the distinction “Kingslayer”. He continued his position with the Kingsguard until removed as Lord Commander by order of his son/nephew, King Tommen, whereupon Ser Jaime took up Lordship of his childhood home, Casterly Rock. During the War of the Five Kings, Jaime was captured, losing his talented right hand. Martin borrows from the real-life historical figure Gottfried von Berlichingen when he replaces Jaime's hand with a golden prosthetic in season four. Berlichingen, a German Imperial Knight active between 1498 and 1544, lost his hand in 1504 during the siege of Landshut and replaced it with a mechanical replica. This would have been highly unusual during that period.
Additionally, comparisons between the character of Ser Jaime Lannister and Cesare Borgia can be drawn. Borgia's struggle for power was a chief inspiration behind Machiavelli’s The Prince. Born to the immensely powerful Italian family in 1475, both were born into power. Cesare is said to have treacherously murdered his brother to escape his duties as a Catholic cardinal, rising to the rank of commander of the papal armies. Enormously successful in battle, Cesare was also rumored to have engaged in an incestuous relationship with his sister, Lucrezia. Starting to sound familiar? Further, Cesare endured horrendous captivity at the hands of his enemies. He also led his declining family after the death of his father. The similarities between Borgia and Jaime are numerous.
Abducted, Raped, and Suicidal
Not exactly the kinds of things you want associated with your loved ones, but Lyanna Stark's fortunes were ill-fated. Daughter to Lord Rickard Stark, Lyanna was abducted by her secret lover and husband, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The event enraged her betrothed, Robert Baratheon, causing him to lead a rebellion against the throne. Lyanna and Rhaegar's love affair resulted in the downfall of House Targaryen. Her death was caused by complications during childbirth around the same time as the end of the war, but the baby survived. Lyanna's brother, Ned, was put in charge of the royal heir, and the relationship remained secret until Brandon Stark learns the truth of his half-brother through a vision after becoming the Three-Eyed Raven. The story is basically a retelling of the ancient account of Lucretia, though Martin opts for a warmer ending.
The original Lucretia, a noblewoman of the Roman Kingdom, was abducted by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. She was raped and, unable to live with herself, ultimately committed suicide. Lucretia’s horrendous treatment by the Roman royal family triggered a rebellion that overthrew the monarchy and led to the founding of the Roman Republic. The first chairman of the Roman Republic was the widowed husband of Lucretia, Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. Those who are familiar with the classics may have recognized Lyanna's final words, “Promise me, Ned” which mirrors those of Lucretia according to the Roman historian Livy: “Pledge me your solemn word”.