Last Stand of the 300

[N80]

This may be totally off base, but I seem to recall reading that the '300' consisted of 150 homosexual 'couples'. It is my understanding that this was a common aspect of Greek male military life. This was later reflected in the homosexuality within the **** Brown Shirts, prior to WWII, that used the Greeks as a model.

 

[ducati996]

This may be totally off base, but I seem to recall reading that the '300' consisted of 150 homosexual 'couples'. It is my understanding that this was a common aspect of Greek male military life. This was later reflected in the homosexuality within the **** Brown Shirts, prior to WWII, that used the Greeks as a model.

YUK- now i cant go see the movie -

However they did invent wrestling

 

[N80]

Well, regardless of where it falls on one's yuk-o-meter it seems undeniable that whatever their 'formula' was, it worked from a military standpoint.

Fortunately, I don't think the movie exposes that angle. Movies are better enjoyed as fiction anyway.

 

[IH3444]

YUK- now i cant go see the movie -

However they did invent wrestling

Are you certain it was wrestling? or is that what we are calling it now.

 

[EddieWalker]

This may be totally off base, but I seem to recall reading that the '300' consisted of 150 homosexual 'couples'.

I don't know enough on the subject to disagree with you, but I do have my doubts on the accuracy of your statement. I grew up in the SF Bay Area of California. It's not the largest gay comunity in the world, but it's got it's fair share.

The number of gay activists is ovewhelming, but after awhile you start to pick up a theme. Everyone was gay in history. They just pick random key figures in history and say he or she was homosexual. There is no proof or evidence, they "They Know" just by some secret, hidden instinct thing.

I've worked with too way too many over the top flamers to believe any of thier history lessons.

The Spartans soldiers may have been homosexual, but as a mighty war machine, they would have known that to be involved intimately with those you are expected to fight with is a VERY BAD IDEA!!! No military in the world has ever done this, and in fact, they go to extremes to not have this happen.

I kind of think thats one of those gay history revisions that are becomeing more and more common.

Eddie

 

[N80]

Actually, Eddie, homosexuality in Greek culture hardly had the same connotations as it does now. Remember, these were pre-Christian times. A quick browse through Wikipedia in regard to Sparta and 'spartan pederasty' will confirm that such relationships were not only common, but in many cases sanctioned and expected.

In regard to military application, Greek and Macedonian history is replete with references to such relationships. Believe me, this is pretty high up on my yuk-o-meter too, but the concept is pretty solid. You are putting extra-ordinarily highly trained and disciplined fighters together as devoted couples in a fighting unit. This can only increase the bonds of the unit. Such bonding is the key element in any fighting unit and is the basis for almost all basic military training. Obviously such bonds are not sexual in today's military (I've never been to sure about the Navy though ) , but the strength of dedication to one's unit often defines its strength in combat.

 

[Volfandt]

Interesting topic. I cannot remember where I saw it, be it on the history channel or the military channel, but I distinctly remember watching a special on the Spartans a couple of yrs ago and they made mention that they were bi-sexual. If I recall correctly, it seems that they were made to bond together so early and for so long that they considered their relationship with their fellow warriors as true love whilst their relationship with their wives was mainly for procreation.
It still doesn't change the fact that they were one of the worlds most formidable fighting forces but it did change my perception of them...... And perhaps explained why they died out.

 

[IH3444]

After reading N80's post, I don't want to "dress up" as a Spartan for Halloween......

 

[N80]

You also might want to avoid dressing as an ancient Scottish warrior. They used to paint themselves blue and fight naked. This even creeped out the Romans. Once they became more civilized they started wearing cloths to fight in. Dresses that is, some people call them kilts. In WWI the Germans called Black Watch unit from Scotland 'The Ladies From ****."

Naked, gay, and crossdressing soldiers. What will they think of next?

Ooops, the dirty word censor got me, in any case, they were called "The Ladies from 'Hades'", which actually sound better than the actual name.

 

[deereman64]

There was a good medical reason to fight naked. If you saw the film master and commander the concern for the doctor was the piece of material that was taken into the body by the slug as this would be a source of infection. So if you fought with no clothes on less chance of infection????