A Spartan's Heart

A Spartan’s Heart

Act I

The scene enters a crowded marble hall. Thirty-two men stay seated at a long spruce table encrusted with jewels. Mountains of lavish food pile up on golden plates. Brazed Ox, Roasted Duck, Seared Rabbit, and Fried Hog steam with heat. Wine flows through silver goblets: each held by the powerful elites of Sparta. At the end of the table sits the king, Leonidas, alongside his brother, Heracles, the major general of the Spartan Army. Leonidas, the most powerful king in Spartan history, drunkenly slouches over his thrown.

Senator 1: *Drunkenly Slurring*

“Hail the great city of Sparta, for we are victors!”

Thirty fists shot up into the air, proclaiming their approval.

All Senator: “Hoorah! Hoorah!”

The senators’ voices echoed in the marble hall, proclaiming the great Spartan victory in Anatolia. Each turns to another, laughing, shaking hands, and praising their valiant efforts. King Leonidas slowly rises from his throne.

Leonidas: “SILENCE!”

Leonidas slams his fists on the table.

“My great senators, have you lost your minds?”

The senators give perplexed looks to each other, wondering why the king has gone into rage.

Leonidas: “Tell me!”

Leonidas flicks his head towards a senator.

“Dionisis … what blood have you on your hands. Or Ambrios … tell me about the scene of the battlefield. THOU CANNOT!”

Dionisis and Ambrios stare, silently, at the king. Not a word comes to mind.

“All of you, aged men of political knowledge, lack one thing! The heart of a Spartan!”

Leonidas now stands atop the table, pointing sharp fingers at each senator.

“From this day … it shall be considered high treason … for a man who has not seen a single spear pierce a man’s heart … to lavish in the riches fit for a king! The glory of victory is held to one man … the king … the man who leads the army … the man who slays the enemies of Sparta … ME! Leave at ONCE! This glory is for me. You shall never see the glory of victory again!”

Thirty senators shoot out of the room, fearful of their lives. The table is left deserted; only Leonidas and Heracles remain.

“What scum they must be … to think they even deserve an ounce of food … while my soldiers bleed and die on the battlefield!”

Heracles: “Leonidas … my brother … I understand your deep frustration with the senators … but listen to yourself.”

*Mimicking Leonidas*

“The glory of Sparta belongs to me, I’m so fancy, I’m the king. You’re just like them; full of a lust for power and glory.”

Leonidas scoffs.

“It’s true my brother.”

Leonidas: “I am the one who leads us into battle. I am the supreme leader of our legions. I am the victor. Why art thou against me Heracles?”

Heracles: “I am not against you, my brother. What I am trying to say is … you’re too full of yourself.”

Heracles stands up and faces Leonidas.

“You bask in wonders and riches and glory … but find little time for those who care for you. You’re just like the senators … who leave their families for twelve hours a day to drink and laugh. Your son, Jonas, sees your face so often … but rarely gets to know you.”

Leonidas: “Whatever, my family matters much less than Sparta. I have all my life to love my wife and child, but just a few more years to conquer Greece.”

Heracles: “My brother … this won’t end well.”

The scene fades to black as the brothers face each other, visibly upset over the words just spoken.

Act II

The scene enters a pillared room decorated with gold and riches, the senate. At the head stands Leonidas. The morning sun shines on his face. He stand in front of a crowd of senators, each with a wrinkled frown above their nose.

Leonidas: *Confidently, with a booming voice*

“My senators … forgive me … for I have misjudged your actions. I apologize for my abhorrent behavior last night. I was unaware of your marvelous feats.”

*Unbeknownst to the senators, Leonidas keeps a mighty hatred in his heart: his mouth tells a lie to gain their favor.*

“The glory of our victory in Anatolia is not reserved for me alone. It shall be felt across Sparta! It is not I who won the battle but our wonderful senate and diplomats. I humbly ask your favor … organize the troops. Anatolia has fallen … soon Athens will follow!”

All Senators: “Hoorah! Hoorah!”

The senators clap and cheer for Leonidas: their glory has been recognized. Each senator turns and nods. The senate leader, Euclid, stands.

Euclid: “You wish is granted my king. ORGANIZE THE TROOPS!”

Act III

The previous scene transitions to a Spartan training camp. The barrack general, Tobias, blows a horn. Hasty battlefield music echoes. Each soldier rushes to the barracks. The soldiers rapidly emerge, sporting golden helmets with a crimson fleece, brass chest plates encrusted with the Spartan emblem, and a sleek ten-foot spear. The soldiers line up in battle formation. The barrack general emerges.

Tobias: *Beckoning*

“Men … soldiers of Sparta … our great senate has ordered us to duty. Organize in legions … thrust through the gates … gather on the vast Spartan plains. Meet with our king: Leonidas.”

All Soldiers: “Sir yes sir!”

The scene shakes; thousands of men leak out of Sparta’s gates. All march in unison. They approach the great king on the vast plains outside of the city. Leonidas sits upon his white horse. To his left, Heracles sits upon a black horse. Leonidas instructs his steed to approach the legions.

Leonidas: “My men … have we not shown the might of Sparta in Anatolia? Two thousand men: our losses. Forty-five thousand men: the Anatolian losses. Our mighty training has kept in handy throughout our battles. I say these words to you today. Sparta is the victor; we always have been. Not a man cowers during battle in our great legions. Do not feel fear my men, for we know our strength.”

Leonidas raises his spear and shield.

“Athens … the city of knowledge … will soon be ours.”

Leonidas turns his horse and thrusts his spear into the air.

“Follow men, my men, and you too shall soon feel the glory of victory!”

All Soldiers: “Hoorah! Hoorah!”

The soldiers chant while beating their shields with their spear. The sound is deafening. Sparta is coming.

The scene continues as Leonidas’s horse gallops down the plains. The spartan warriors begin a march, following the king to Athens. The scene fades to black.

Act IV

The scene fades in. Spartan warriors line up in formation. Thirty thousand men stay still and strong, lined up around the vast field outside of Athens.

Leonidas: *Confidently shouting to Heracles*

“Send our messenger to the city gates. Declare an unconditional war upon this city, lest it not be turns over at once.”

Heracles: “Yes, my brother. I will send Jacob promptly.”

Jacob, the messenger, grabs the parchment role declaring the king’s sentiments and exits on a horse toward the city. The scene zooms onto Leonidas’s face. The wind ruffles through his dark sweaty hair.

Leonidas: “Men … prepare for battle … for this city is not one of cowards. They will not surrender, and they shall fight to the death. I say to you … prepare … for the darkest hour is upon us.”

Heracles: *Excitedly*

“Here comes Jacob.”

Jacob’s horse appears in front of the legion. The soldiers stare in shock. Blood spews out of Jacob’s arteries, coating the horse’s mane. Leonidas’s lip twitches; his eyebrows furrow.

Leonidas: “CHAAAAARGE!”

Jacob’s headless body drops from the saddle.

The Spartan soldiers charged the city walls, screaming like wild dogs. They huddle upon the walls of Athens. Volleys of arrows and boiling oil rain on the soldiers. Leonidas huddles with Heracles along the southern gate.

Leonidas: *Shouting from under his shield’s cover as arrows rained down around them*

“Stay strong my men. The darkest hour is upon us. Leave no window open for attack!”

At that instant, an arrow pierced Leonidas’s thick bronze shield, lodging itself half an inch into his shoulder.

“Arghhh!”

Leonidas grabs the arrow’s shaft and rips it from his skin. Blood gushes onto his arm

“Stay strong my men; call for the battle ram!”

Four mighty Spartan soldiers slowly wheel a massive battle ram to the southern gate. Arrows rain down left and right, killing Spartan warriors each second. The brave men gather at the end of the ram. Each pushes with ferocity, slowly building momentum for the giant weapon.

Four Battle Ram Soldiers: “Three! Two! One! PUUUUUUUSH!”

The massive four-ton ram smashes into the Athenian gate. Wood splinters off and shoots outwards towards the Spartans. A small crack appears between the thick doors.

“Three! Two! One! PUUUUUUUSH!”

The ram slams hard into the gate. A deafening sound erupts. Athens’s great southern gate, which stood for four hundred years, splinters in half.

Leonidas: “CHARGE!”

Spartan soldiers flood through the gates; the Athenian guards awaits them on the other side. One by one, the Spartans slay whatever stands in their way.

“The Women … and the children … leave NO MERCY!”

The scene zooms into the raging battle just inside the city gate. A spear thrusts into the head of an Athenian guard, exiting through his occipital bone. He instantly crumbles to the ground. A sword is swung downwards towards the neck of a Spartan. CLIIING. The sound of metal clashing fills the air. Fabius, a Spartan soldier, shields his comrade from the deadly blow.

Fabius: “Come now my brother in arms … stay strong and vigilant … get up and fight for Sparta!”

The battle rages on. One after another, the Athenian guards fall. Blood stains the Spartans’ skin as they ravage through the Athenian forces. Several Spartans break through the guards. They pick up large torches and set houses ablaze. As the women and the children run for cover, they’re quickly slain. An infant lays on his dead mother’s chest; a Spartan thrusts his spear through his head. Soon, the cities once great architecture and vast system of limestone roads is dripping with blood. The city burns, creating a thick cloud of smoke that engulfs the Spartan forces. The camera transitions to Leonidas. He’s locked in a deadly duel; his shield anchors the Athenian guard’s sword.

Leonidas: “YOU … ALL … WILL … PAY!”

Leonidas breaks his shield off on the sword, arcs back, and lodges his spear through the guard’s abdomen. Blood spews out, along with intestines, leaking onto the ground. An Athenian guard witnesses the horror unfolding beside him. He turns his body and sprints towards the king. The guard unsheathes his silver sword, ready to strike the king down. He leaps off of his dead comrade’s body and flies through the air, clutching his sword with both hands. Time rapidly slows down. Leonidas is unaware of his fate, still concentrated on the dead Athenian he just killed. The Athenian guard’s eyes glare; a flash of white runs across his retina.

Heracles: “Watch Out!”

Leonidas whips his lead towards the flying Athenian. As the guard’s silver sword nears the king’s head, the guard’s face goes numb. His body lands with a thud; his head rolls down the limestone road. Heracles holds an Athenian sword stained with fresh blood. Time speeds back up.

Heracles: “That was close … I will always be there for you my broth –.”

The scene zooms out, unveiling the horror. Heracles stays frozen in shock. Leonidas’s eyes blink hard and open wider. A silver sword pokes out of the back of Heracles’s chest plate. Viscous blood runs down the bronze metal.

Leonidas: “NOOOOOOOO!!!”

Leonidas’s face rapidly changes. His grin turns into a deep frown. His brother, his second in command, his greatest soldier, slumps over and falls to the ground. Leonidas drops down to his brother. He rolls him over to face him one last time.

Heracles: *Coughing up blood*

“Leonidas … I love you … avenge my death.”

Heracles’s eyes shut and his neck relaxes. The great Spartan general … was dead.

Leonidas: “I HATE YOU … ATHENS!!!”

Leonidas smacks his hand upon his brother’s chest plate. He scoops up the scarlet blood. His hand crosses over his chest and then his face. A rage, unlike any other, fills his heart.

“KILL THEM ALL!!!”

Leonidas sprints through the remaining Athenian guards, impaling each one that stands in his way.

The scene continues, following the king’s rampage across the Athenian forces. The scene slowly fades to black.

Act V

The scene enters a ruined city. Fires burn; black smoke fills the air. Leonidas drags his feet through the bloody streets. In his hand, he holds Heracles’s helmet. Leonidas, the most feared ruler in all of Greece, sobs.

Leonidas: *Sobbing*

“Whyyyyy … whyyyyy … I love him … my brother … whyyyyy.”

Leonidas continues his walk down the streets of Athens. Tears run down his bloody face, creating streaks of blood and skin. His head tilts up. His eyes glare at the fallen city.

Leonidas: *Sobbing*

“I hate Athens … I hate war … I hate it all.”

Leonidas’s men follow him down the street. The king stops, and he drops the golden helmet that once belonged to his brother. He turns towards his men, composing himself.

Leonidas: *Strongly*

“Men … our fight was strong. We came here numbered just thirty thousand soldiers … now … we stand … losses of five thousand. Five thousand soldiers … five thousand husbands … five thousand fathers … five thousand lives.”

Leonidas turns and faces the great senate hall of Athens.

“This city … was one filled with riches and knowledge. It now lies in ruins, for Sparta is the victor. My men … a valiant fight you have put forth today. My men … go home … live and celebrate with those you love. Cherish your time on this Earth, for any day could be your last. March hastily home … spread the word … Sparta is the victor!”

Act VI

Leonidas and his men slowly approach the city of Sparta: marching valiantly, banging on their shields, deafening nature’s hum. The gates of Sparta slowly open, and the warriors are greeted with showers of flowers and gold. Spartan citizens line the streets, throwing gifts to the mighty forces. Leonidas marches his men towards the city’s senate. His troops split apart, standing together with their families. Leonidas walks up to the high podium and clears his throat.

Leonidas: “Citizens of Sparta … a great victory is upon our city!”

The people cheer for the king.

“Athens … the city of knowledge … lay barren of Sparta’s enemies.”

The people cheer for the king.

“Those who died … fulfilled Sparta’s great wish. Those who lived … fought valiantly through the hour of darkness. I say this to you all … people of Sparta … cheer and praise each other. No longer praise the king for the mighty military victory … praise the men who fought and died for our cause. Our victory was one of teamwork … not by my efforts alone. Cheer and praise each other, for Sparta is the victor.”

The People of Sparta: “Hoorah! Hoorah!”

Cheers erupt and flowers are thrown through the air. A celebration is on the rise.

Leonidas: “But wait … my people … it is of my good will … that I declare this tonight. I shall retire from all military duties, for I am old. I’ve spent too long searching for glory. Now, the time has come for me to rest. I formally declare my son, Jonas, the supreme general of the Spartan Army!”

Massive cheers erupt. The people celebrate the great Spartan victory together.

The scene exits as food is baked, wine flows, and people dance. Leonidas leaves the podium and enters the great royal palace.

Act VII

Leonidas approaches his wife, Valentina.

Leonidas: “My love … forgive me … for I was too stubborn. I am sorry I’ve ignored your pleas for love. My life is incomplete without you. I never realized how much I truly care for you. For years … I’ve focused on conquering Greece with my army. For years … I’ve remained distant from you. My eyes were set on glory, yet today I have none. Heracles … my brother … was killed last night. I’ve never grieved so much, yet I’ve learned one thing. You never truly realize how much you care for someone until you lose them. My family is so much more important than any achievement I could have on this Earth. Forgive me … spent the rest of time with me … till death do us part.”

Valentina: “Oh how much I love you Leonidas”

The couple embrace each other, feeling their love once again. Leonidas transformed from a man of death and pride to a man of family and love.