trust
beyond the walls of my own home ?
Even here, Theron has eyes and ears
which fuel Sparta with doubt and fear.
You speak as if all Sparta
conspires against you.
I wish they were
only against me.
Many on our council would vote
to give all we have
and follow Leonidas.
But you must show them favor.
And you can arrange me
to speak to the council ?
If it is reason they want,
I will let them know.
Know what, my queen ?
Freedom isn't free at all.
That it comes with
the highest of costs.
The cost of blood.
I will do my best to gather
our council
and its chambers shall be filled
with your voice.
- I'm in your debt.
- Nope.
Leonidas is my king
as well as yours.
I saw those ships
smash on the rocks.
How can this be ?
We saw but a fraction of the monster
that is Xerxes' army.
There can be no victory here.
Why do you smile ?
Arcadian, I've fought
countless times
yet I've never met an adversary
that could offer me
what we Spartans call
a beautiful death
I can only hope,
with all the world's warriors
gathered against us,
there might be one down there
who's up to the task.
Move !
Forward I say.
Stop here !
Who commands here ?
I am the emissary
to the ruler of all the world.
The god of gods.
King of kings.
And by that authority, I demand that
someone show me your commander.
Listen. Do you think the paltry
dozen you slew scares us ?
These hills swarm
with our scouts.
And do you think your
pathetic wall
will do anything except fall
like a heap of dry leaves
in the face...
Our ancestors built this wall,
using ancient stones
from the bosom of Greece herself.
And with a little Spartan help,
your Persian scouts
supplied the mortar.
You will pay for your
barbarism.
My arm !
It's not yours anymore.
Go now. Run along and tell your
Xerxes he faces free men here.
Not slaves.
Do it quickly.
Before we decide to make our wall
just a little bit bigger.
No, not slaves.
Your women will be slaves.
Your sons, your daughters,
your elders
will be slaves, but not you.
By noon this day,
you will be dead men.
A thousand nations of the
Persian Empire descend upon you.
Our arrows will blot out the sun.
Then we will fight in the shade.
The wall is solid.
It'll do the job of funneling
the Persians into the Hot Gates.
Captain, have the men found any route
through the hills to our back ?
None, sire.
There is such a route,
good king.
Just past that western ridge.
It's an old goat path.
The Persians could use it
to outflank us.
Not one step closer.
Monster !
Wise king, I humbly request
an audience.
I'll skewer you where
you stand.
I gave no such order.
Forgive the captain.
He's a good soldier.
But a bit short on manners.
There is nothing
to forgive, brave king.
I know what I look like.
You wear the crimson of a Spartan.
I am Ephialtes,
born of Sparta.
My mother's love led
my parents to flee Sparta
lest I be discarded.
But your shield ?
And armor ?
My father's, sir.
I beg you, bold king,
to permit me to redeem
my father's name
by serving you
in combat.
My father trained me
to feel no fear.
To make spear and shield
and sword as much a part of me
as my own beating heart.
I will earn my father's armor,
noble king,
by serving you
in the battle.
Fine thrust.
I will kill many Persians.
- Raise your shield.
- Sire ?
Raise your shield
as high as you can.
Your father should have told you
how our phalanx works.
We fight as a single,
impenetrable unit.
That is the source
of our strength.
Each Spartan protects
the man to his left,
from thigh to neck,
with his shield.
A single weakspot
and the phalanx shatters.
From thigh to neck, Ephialtes.
I am sorry, my friend.
But not all of us are made
to be soldiers.
But I...
If you want to help
at a Spartan victory...
- Yes ?
- Clear the battlefield of the dead.
Tend to wounded,
bring them water.
Why ?
But as for the fight itself,
I cannot use you.
Mother, father,
you were