This was a frequent target of Athenian comedy, wherein the verb "to Spartanize" meant "to bugger." In 300, Greek pederasty is, naturally, Athenian. This is ironic given that pederasty was an obligatory part of a Spartan's education. No need – it is strongly implied Xerxes is homosexual which, in the moral universe of 300, qualifies him for special freakhood. Xerxes is eight feet tall, clad chiefly in body piercings and garishly made up, but not disfigured. This is a transparent defence of Spartan eugenics, and laughably convenient given that infanticide could as easily have been precipitated by an ill-omened birthmark.ģ00's Persians are ahistorical monsters and freaks. Leonidas points out that his hunched back means Ephialtes cannot lift his shield high enough to fight in the phalanx. Ephialtes, who betrays the Greeks, is likewise changed from a local Malian of sound body into a Spartan outcast, a grotesquely disfigured troll who by Spartan custom should have been left exposed as an infant to die.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |