Why Did the Persians Not Surround and Attack with Cavalry in '300'? An Analysis

The 2007 film 300 has captured the imaginations of many due to its graphic depictions and intense battle scenes. However, the movie's portrayal of the historical Battle of Thermopylae is frequently criticized for its inaccuracies, especially regarding the reasons why the Persian forces did not surround and attack with their cavalry.

The Historical Context of the Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae occurred during the Persian Wars (490 BCE), a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire and the Greek city-states. The site of the battle was a narrow coastal pass in central Greece, originally a mountain path that had become an isolated highway. This topography significantly impacted the strategies employed by both sides.

Philip Coppens, a scholar on ancient history, explains that due to[1] coastal erosion and subsequent earthquakes over the centuries, the original battlefield has been significantly altered. The original Thermopylae was a narrow mountain pass on the edge of the sea, but the terrain has since been reshaped, making it difficult to accurately interpret the historical battle.

Why the Persians Could Not Deploy Their Numbers Effectively

One of the key reasons the Persians did not surround and attack with cavalry was the limited space available. The narrowness of the mountain pass at Thermopylae did not allow the Persian army to fully deploy their superior numbers effectively. This topographical constraint resulted in a solitary tactical advantage for the Greek forces, allowing them to hold their ground for several days despite being heavily outnumbered.

Mark Kurlansky, in his book Thespathia, notes that the Greek army, which included the famous 300 Spartans and allied soldiers from various Greek city-states, numbered between 7,500 to 11,500men. This larger force was able to utilize the narrow terrain to great effect, engaging in a prolonged defensive hold against a much larger numerical advantage. The Persians, with their vast numbers, could not effectively maneuver due to the limited space, which was crucial for their cavalry forces to be deployed

Why Cavalry Was Ineffective in the Battle

While the Persians did have cavalry, the confined nature of the battlefield rendered these units ineffective. The narrow mountain pass had no open spaces to allow for the mobility that cavalry units require. As historian Donald Kagan notes, "In the limited space, the full tactical potential of the Persian army's cavalry could not be realized." [2]

Additionally, the terrain was so constricted that the Persian infantry and chariots were significantly hampered in their ability to engage the Greek forces. The rocky and uneven landscape made it difficult for chariots to charge and for archers to find clear firing positions. This geographical limitation forced the Persians to rely on infantry-based tactics, which they were far less skilled in compared to the Greeks.

Strategic Considerations and the Role of Ephialtes

The film 300 portrays a more dramatic and less historically accurate version of the battle. In reality, historical texts by sources such as Herodotus and Plutarch do not suggest that the Persians did not surround the Greeks but rather that they found a way around them.

According to Herodotus, a traitor named Ephialtes betrayed the Spartans by revealing a mountain path leading behind the Greek forces, enabling the Persians to outflank the defenders. The movie 300 simplifies and dramatizes this event, suggesting that the Persians initiated the encirclement from the beginning. In the historical account, the engagement of cavalry and other units from other directions was not part of the initial battle, but a strategically adjusted response to the encirclement.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The portrayal of the Battle of Thermopylae in 300 is a blend of historical accuracy and dramatic license. While the film captures the essence of the Spartan valor and sacrifice, it omits many crucial details and contextual factors. The terrain's influence on strategy was significant; the narrow pass at Thermopylae prevented the Persian cavalry from being effective, while the Greek forces made the most of the advantageous terrain. The inclusion of the traitor Ephialtes is a story deeply rooted in historical accounts, albeit with some modern artistic liberties taken.

References

Coppen, P. (2007). The Battle of Thermopylae. In Tudor Quarterly, 10, 42-45. Kagan, D. (2006). The Peloponnesian War. New York: Penguin Books.

Footnotes

Philp Coppens (2007) Donald Kagan (2006)