Xerxes, Persian King: It was my father's dream. One world, one master. But to Marathon ten years ago he sent a mere wave. I am leading an ocean.
Demaratus, Exiled Spartan King: The Spartans will certainly fight, whether reinforcements arrive or not.
Xerxes, Persian King: Why, they are mad. I cannot think why you would want to be king of such an extraordinary people, Demaratus. I shall capture them alive and put them in cages and exhibit them all over Persia.
Samos: Who can understand the way of the gods? They create lovely girls and then turn them into wives.
Leonidas, Spartan King: Spartans! We have reached Thermopylae. The orders are: From this wall, we do not retreat.
Themistocles of Athens: The whole of Asia is descending upon us. Many times more men than there are Greeks. These men are fierce, savage, bloodthirsty, merciless. But that is not the reason why we should fear them. That is not the source of their power. Their power lies in their unity. Unity! Remember that one terrible word which will surely destroy Greece, unless we counter it with a unity of our own. A unity of free men fighting together resisting this united tide of tyranny.
Themistocles of Athens: Truth is a heady wine. A politician must never exaggerate people's capacity for it.
Narrator: Across the hush of 24 centuries, this is the story of a turning point in history, of a blazing day when 300 Greek warriors fought here to hold with their lives their freedom and ours.
