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The heroism of the 300 Spartans and their king Leonidas, who
fought against countless Persians at the Greek location of
Thermopylae in 480 B.C., was recorded by the Greek historian
Herodotus, and, ever since, it has become a legend of
inspiration. It is a story of patriotism, of betrayal, of the
spirit’s victory over fear, of freedom, of heart, of high ideals.
It has changed the course of history of the entire West, and has
become the symbol of achievement, audacity, civility, as well as
of the human triumph over any kind of tyranny or darkness.
 In
this illustrated presentation we will look closely at the history
behind this event, and we will examine the reason why this story
continues to be inspiring and pertinent in the world of today. We
will see how the twentieth century Greek poet C. P. Cavafy uses
Thermopylae as an illuminating metaphor for our own
humanity; and we will understand why the movie “300,” which
was inspired by this story, keeps exciting young people in the
“here” and “now.”
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