:28:02
I'm giving you...
:28:06
this shield.
:28:08
There are but these five words to remember:
e tan e epi tas.
:28:17
- What does it mean?
- "With this or on this. "
:28:20
Either come home victorious
with this shield, or dead on it.
:28:24
Please excuse me.
:28:28
Oh, happy day!
:28:30
Congratulations!
:28:31
We, the elders of Sparta,
have a sacred duty to perform.
:28:35
We are the guardians of Spartan blood.
:28:37
'Tis for us to see to it
that that precious blood is not shed,
:28:41
whatever the occasion may be,
far away from our native soil.
:28:46
Then you suggest
that we do not send our men north.
:28:49
Not above Corinth, Togis.
:28:51
We have no common cause with empty
talkers of Athens and their sinful ways.
:28:56
We must defend southern Greece,
where we have our homes and our allies.
:29:02
Greetings.
:29:04
- Greetings, King Leotychidis.
- Greetings, King Leonidas.
:29:08
Greetings, friends.
:29:13
I bear important news.
:29:16
Sparta has been selected
to lead the united Greek cities
:29:19
in the war against Persia
both on land and on the sea.
:29:22
Athens has surrendered
her naval leadership to us.
:29:26
- But the council decides how Sparta acts.
- Of course. But the council must act quickly.
:29:32
Why?
:29:33
In order that we reach
the first line of defence in time.
:29:36
- Where might that be?
- The pass of Thermopylae.
:29:39
Of course - the pass that protects Athens.
:29:41
No! It's the pass that protects Greece.
:29:47
Mere cities don't matter now.
It is Greece that counts!
:29:50
Only by being united
can we hope to avoid slavery.
:29:54
I am no politician.
:29:56
But I will plead this cause until the moon
wanes and the night brings forth a new day.