u/Philippicus_586AD

The most common criticism levied against these films is its nightmarish depiction of the Achaemenid Persians, which is claimed to tarnish the image of what was one of the most well-administered and organised Empires of the Classical world. Yet, the Persians we see in these films are actually highly sophisticated. Once you set aside the outrageous Orcish portrayal of the Achaemenids in this film and think about it, you can see the real vision this film had. Bottom line, this film portrays the Persian Empire as advanced. Extraordinarily advanced. Technologically, the Persians in this film are literal millennia ahead of their time.

We need only look at a the six following examples.

1 - Gunpowder

Gunpowder bombs, around 1,609 before they were widely adopted by the Song-Dynasty

2 - Advanced Medical treatments

This Norffc-looking mfer has managed survive into his 40s-50s (from what I can gather) with open, bleeding wounds and somehow has yet to die of blood loss nor infection! Truly, a sign of extraordinary medical capabilities in the Persian Empire.

3 - Seaworthy Iron warships

In 300: Rise of an Empire, the Persians are shown to employ Ironclad (or Iran-clad?) warships. 2,339 before the French Gloire.

4 - flamethrowers

https://preview.redd.it/a9bouj0b0dkh1.png?width=916&format=png&auto=webp&s=5d5fdde34f55ad50b055fe0b8cc191493457e4f8

As shown above, we also see in the sequel that the Achaemenids use Greek Persianfire in naval warfare. About 1,154 years before the Byzantine Navy deployed such weaponry.

5 - De-extinction

Accounting for scale here, the Persians do indeed appear to have resurrected Palaeoloxodon Namadicus for use on the battlefield. Such a feat implies the existence of DNA extraction and genome editing capabilities beyond even the modern age. 2,506+ years ahead of their time.

6 - Abstract Art

As seen here, the Persians as depicted in 300 display a deep appreciation for Abstract Art. About 2,400 years ahead of its time.

The Persians are shown to have achieved all the above, while the Greeks we see can't even manufacture a simple breastplate. Remind me again, how are these films anti-Iranian?

Generally speaking, defeats tend to stand out in the military history of the Byzantines, with events such as Yarmouk, Manzikert and 1453 being more well-known than any of their victories. But obviously for a state as long lasting, it was not a one-way street. Give some examples of victories won by the Byzantines which you feel are overlooked in their significance.