King Leonidas Quotes
King Leonidas: Then what must a king do to save his world when the very laws he has sworn to protect force him to do nothing?
Queen Gorgo: It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself, my dearest love, what would a free man do?
Statesman: My good king! My good king! The oracle has spoken. The Ephors have spoken. There must be no march!
Theron: It is the law, my lord. The Spartan army must not go to war.
King Leonidas: Nor shall it. I've given no such orders. I'm here, just taking a stroll, stretching my legs...
[pauses and looks back]
King Leonidas: These 300 men are my personal bodyguard.
King Leonidas: My heart is broken for your loss.
Captain: Heart? I have filled my heart with hate.
King Leonidas: Good.
Captain: They look thirsty!
King Leonidas: Well, let's give them something to drink! To the cliffs!
Queen Gorgo: Spartan!
King Leonidas: Yes, my lady?
Queen Gorgo: Come back with your shield, or on it.
King Leonidas: Yes, my lady.
Stelios: It is an honor to die at your side.
King Leonidas: It is an honor to have lived at yours.
Statesman: [after the army starts marching in the fields, talking nervously] What should we do?
Theron: What can we do?
King Leonidas: [scoffs] What can you do? Sparta will need sons!
Xerxes: Imagine what horrible fate awaits my enemies when I would gladly kill any of my own men for victory.
Leonidas: And I would die for any one of mine.
Xerxes: It would be nothing short of madness for you, brave King, and your valiant troops to...perish...all because of a simple misunderstanding. There is much our cultures could share.
Leonidas: Have you noticed? We've been sharing our culture with you all morning.
Leonidas: You, what is your profession?
Arcadian Soldier: I'm a potter, sir.
Leonidas: And you, Arcadian, what is your profession?
Arcadian Soldier: I'm a sculptor.
Leonidas: And you?
Arcadian Soldier: I'm a blacksmith.
Leonidas: [Turning towards the Spartans] Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: Harooh! Harooh! Harooh!
Leonidas: See old friend, I brought more soldiers than you did.
Leonidas: Before you speak, Persian, know that in Sparta everyone, even a king’s messenger, is responsible for the words of their voice. Now...what message do you bring?
Persian Messenger: Earth and water.
Leonidas: [Laugh] You rode all the way from Persia for earth and water?
Gorgo: Do not be coy or stupid, Persian. You can afford neither in Sparta.
Persian Messenger: What makes this woman think she can speak among men?
Gorgo: Because only Spartan women give birth to real men.
[Dying words] My Queen! My Wife! My Love.
King Leonidas
King Leonidas is a character based upon the real-life king of Sparta (circa 520-480BC). He led a small army, commonly known as the 300 Spartans, against the overwhelming numbers of the Persian Empire, and their leader Xerxes, at the Battle of Thermopylae.
- Played By
- Gerard Butler
- Full Name
- King Leonidas
