Good afternoon, I have been asked to speak with you about the historical accuracy of recent incarnations in popular culture of both Spartan and Persian ideology and in particular I have chosen to review Zack Snyder's 2007 , 300 films to demonstrate the compatibility between ancient representations of Spartan and Persian philosophy. From this assessment and from historical representations given by philosophers and historians in approximately the same era depicted within 300. It is argued that the popular cultural incarnations of Sparta as the "noble and selfless fighters with a warrior mentality" and the Persians as "evil, tyrannical, overly indulgent oppressors" were not entirely historically accurate. As with most historical reenactments, 300 Places is a significant exaggeration on each of the central ideologies of civilization's city-states and this is reflected in every scene in the actions of individuals in Zack Snyder's film. The depiction of the Spartan warrior mentality through scenes depicting young Spartan children during their childhood participating in multiple life-threatening challenges; are apparently accurate since the main purpose of Spartan education was to produce perfect soldiers, through rigorously disciplined military training that began for all boys at age 7 when they left home to join the agoge. The agoge was established to weaken family ties and create a personal identity. These children were usually given no shoes, little clothing, and were educated through a vigorous training program of boxing, wrestling, javelin, and discus throwing. They suffered under harsh conditions and were taught to take satisfaction in enduring pain and hardship, as well as to appreciate strength... middle of paper... making them more skilled at securing supplies and more qualified for war.. I must also say something about boys as objects of affection, because this too has some reference to education... Lycurgus thought it appropriate, if someone (being himself as he should be) admired the character of a young man, and he proposed to make him an impeccable friend, to enjoy his company, to praise the boy; and he considered this the most excellent kind of education...An honorable death is preferable to a dishonorable life...Everyone in Sparta would be ashamed to allow a coward to enter his own tent, or to allow him to be his opponent in a wrestling match...."John Paul Adams, CSUN, January 26, 2010, 1.47pm. -a.html.