300: Rise of an Empire movie quotes bring the epic war film 300 back for a new installment. The follow-up was directed by Noam Murro using a screenplay by Zach Snyder and Kurt Johnstad. 300: Rise of an Empire opened in theaters in the United States on March 7, 2014.
In 300: Rise of an Empire, the year is 480 BC and the setting is Greece. In events before, during and after those in the original 300, the second Persian invasion of Greece is taking place. On one side Athenian general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) is trying to keep his troops' spirits high in the wake of the 300 killed but seeing as they are backed up on their heels, that's easier said than done.
On the other side, Artemisia (Eva Green), the Achaemenid Queen of Caria, and King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), the Achaemenid King of Persia are more than confident that they have what it takes to finish the job and take down Greece. As the battle continues, both sides have to deal with different challenges as each fight for survival.
300: Rise of an Empire hits theaters after a slow early 2014 with other releases such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Monuments Men, Winter's Tale, RoboCop (2014), About Last Night, Vampire Academy, The Lego Movie, Gimme Shelter, I, Frankenstein, Ride Along, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The Wolf of Wall Street, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Her, American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave, and Frozen.
300: Rise of an Empire Movie Quotes,
Choose Your Glory
Themistocles: "Steady your hearts. Look deep into your souls. Choose your glory!"
Themistocles gives his army a pep talk before they go into battle. Instead of pumping them up, he urges them to look within themselves for the strength they will need.
It Begins As a Whisper
Queen Gorgo: "It begins as a whisper... a promise... the lightest of breezes dances above the death cries of 300 men. That breeze became a wind. A wind that my brothers have sacrificed. A wind of freedom... a wind of justice... a wind of vengeance."
As Queen Gorgo explains, it was one quiet whisper that started the movement that built into a wind of vengeance. That one whisper was the start of this war and has grown into something larger than life.
We Chose to Die On Our Feet
Themistocles: "Let it be shown, we chose to die on our feet, rather than live on our knees!"
Themistocles addresses his men and gives them a few more words before their battle. He reminds his troops that win or lose, they didn't just lay down and die. They fought to the end.
War Is Coming
Artemisia: "War is coming to Greece and only a title wave of heroes' blood can save them."
Artemisia is taking this war thing entirely too seriously. Her positivity and confidence leave little room for failure and she is not shy about that.
Dance Across the Backs of Dead Greeks
Artemisia: "Today we will dance across the backs of dead Greeks!"
In case it wasn't already clear, Artemisia is ready to go to town with this battle. She foresees nothing less than victory and is already ready to celebrate just that.
For Glory's Sake, War
King Xerxes: "For glory's sake, war!"
King Xerxes announces to his Persian population that they are going to war. The statement alone isn't strange, but how they can hear him, seeing as though he's several hundred feet above on a pedestal, is.
Great Sacrifice Was No Defeat
Themistocles: "Leonidas and Sparta's great sacrifice was no defeat. It will allow us to unite Greece for one purpose, against one enemy."
Themistocles again tries to rally his men prior to battle. Their side has seen their share of casualties but that does not mean they've been defeated.
Avenge Him!
Queen Gorgo: "Leonidas and the brave 300 are dead. Have I not given enough for your dream of a united Greece, Themistocles? A king? A husband?"
Themistocles: "Avenge him!"
Queen Gorgo pleads with Themistocles in the wake of the death of Leonidas and the brave 300. Eventually he relents and authorizes his vengeance.
Death and Destruction
Spartan Warrior: "There will be death and destruction!"
Themistocles: "Yes… There will be."
Earning the award for stating the obvious, one Spartan warrior announces that there will be casualties of this war. Themistocles, also pointing out the obvious, does not disagree.
I Will Attack the Greeks
Artemisia: "I will attack the Greeks with my entire navy!"
Artemisia is serious about her army attacking the Greeks and is not hiding that fact. Spoiler: Her army does just as promised.