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300: Rise of an Empire (2014) is a sequel to Zack Snyder’s visually stunning 2006 film 300. Directed by Noam Murro, with Snyder returning as a producer and co-writer, this action-packed historical fantasy film expands the story of the Greco-Persian Wars, taking place concurrently with the events of the first movie.

The film is based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel Xerxes and draws heavily from historical events, though it takes artistic liberties to deliver its trademark stylized action sequences. While 300 focused on the Spartans’ heroic stand at Thermopylae, Rise of an Empire shifts focus to the naval battle of Artemisium and the Athenian-led resistance against Persia.

The story takes place before, during, and after the events of 300. It follows the rise of Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) as a “god-king” and the struggles of the Greek city-states to unite against the Persian invasion, with an emphasis on Athens’ naval commander, Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton).

  1. Origins of Xerxes: The film opens with a prologue detailing how Xerxes transformed into the god-king after the death of his father, Darius, during the Battle of Marathon. His rise is orchestrated by Artemisia (Eva Green), a vengeful Greek-born Persian naval commander who seeks to destroy Greece.
  2. Themistocles and the Battle of Marathon: Themistocles, an Athenian politician and general, kills King Darius during the Battle of Marathon, inadvertently setting Xerxes on his path of vengeance. Themistocles foresees that the Greek city-states must unite to repel the Persian invasion.
  3. Naval Warfare: While Leonidas and his 300 Spartans face Xerxes on land, Themistocles leads the Athenian navy against Artemisia’s fleet at sea. Using clever tactics and intimate knowledge of the terrain, he manages to hold off the vastly superior Persian forces.
  4. Conflict with Artemisia: Artemisia, impressed by Themistocles’ skill, attempts to seduce him into joining her. When he refuses, their rivalry becomes deeply personal. Artemisia’s backstory reveals her hatred for Greece, stemming from her childhood as a slave after her family was massacred.
  5. Climactic Battle: Themistocles, inspired by Leonidas’ sacrifice at Thermopylae, rallies the remaining Greek forces. With the Spartan queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) leading reinforcements, they launch a final assault against the Persian navy, culminating in a massive and visually spectacular battle.

Critics gave 300: Rise of an Empire mixed reviews. While Eva Green’s performance as Artemisia was widely praised for her intensity and charisma, the film was critiqued for its lack of narrative depth and reliance on over-the-top action. The visual effects and battle sequences, however, were celebrated for their creativity and spectacle.

The film was a financial success, grossing approximately $337 million worldwide against a budget of $110 million. While it didn’t reach the cultural phenomenon status of 300, it cemented itself as a visually thrilling addition to the series.

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