King Leonidas: The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and that before this battle is over, even a god-king can bleed.
[laughing hysterically]
Stelios: What the hell are you laughing at?
Astinos: You had to say it!
Stelios: What?
Astinos: "Fight in the shade"!
[both laugh while arrows rain down upon them]
[last lines]
Dilios: He did not wish tribute, nor song, or monuments or poems of war and valor. His wish was simple. "Remember us" he said to me. That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be. "May all our voices whisper to you from the ageless stones, "Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here by Spartan law, we lie." And so my king died, and my brothers died; barely a year ago. Long I pondered my king's cryptic talk of victory, but time has proven him wise, for from free Greek to free Greek, the word was spread that bold Leonidas and his 300, so far from home, laid down their lives... not just for Sparta, but for all Greece and the promise this country holds. Now here on this ragged patch of earth called Plateaea, let his hordes face obliteration!
Spartan Army: HA-OOH!
Dilios: Just there the barbarians huddle, sheer terror gripping tight their hearts with icy fingers... knowing full well what merciless horrors they suffered at the swords and spears of 300, yet they stare now across the plane at 10,000 Spartans commanding 30,000 free Greeks... HA-OOH!
Spartan Army: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
Dilios: The enemy outnumber us a paltry 3 to 1, good odds for any Greek. This day we rescue a world from mysticism and tyranny and usher in a world brighter than anything we can imagine, Give thanks men, to Leonidas and the brave 300! TO VICTORY!
Stelios: It is an honor to die at your side.
King Leonidas: It is an honor to have lived at yours.
Queen Gorgo: Spartan!
King Leonidas: Yes, Milady?
Queen Gorgo: Come back with your shield, or on it.
King Leonidas: Yes, Milady.
Messenger: Choose your next words carefully, Leonidas. They may be your last as king.
King Leonidas: [to himself: thinking] "Earth and water"?
[Leonidas unsheathes and points his sword at the Messenger's throat]
Messenger: Madman! You're a madman!
King Leonidas: Earth and water? You'll find plenty of both down there.
Messenger: No man, Persian or Greek, no man threatens a messenger!
King Leonidas: You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I've chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same!
Messenger: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
King Leonidas: Madness...? THIS... IS... SPARTA!
[Kicks the messenger down the well]
Statesman: My good king! My good king! The oracle has spoken. The Ephors has spoken! There must be no march!
Theron: It is the law, my lord. The Spartan army must not go to war.
King Leonidas: And nor shall we. I've said no such order. I'm here, just taking a stroll, stretching my legs...
[pauses and looks back]
King Leonidas: These 300 soldiers are my personal bodyguard.
Stelios: We are with you, sire! For Sparta, for freedom, to the death!
Captain: They look thirsty!
King Leonidas: Well, let's give them something to drink! To the cliffs!
King Leonidas: Spartans! Prepare for glory!
Spartan King Leonidas: Give them nothing! But take from them everything!
