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300: Rise of an Empire (2014) movie poster

Timeline

300: Rise of an Empire (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 102 min · English
JustWatch #5,258 71
Directed by
Noam Murro
Starring
Rodrigo Santoro, Sullivan Stapleton, Callan Mulvey, Lena Headey, Eva Green, Jack O'Connell
Budget
$110M

Following the events at Thermopylae, a new struggle for Greece begins as General Themistocles leads the Greek navy against the powerful Persian fleet. Facing off against the skilled Artemisia and the formidable Xerxes, Themistocles must unite the Greek city-states to defend their homeland. The conflict intensifies across multiple fronts, testing the resolve of the Greeks as they confront a seemingly insurmountable enemy.

Action Drama Fantasy War Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like 300: Rise of an Empire
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Where can you watch 300: Rise of an Empire? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Essential and Paramount Plus Premium: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

300: Rise of an Empire Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Battle of Marathon

    Queen Gorgo recounts the pivotal Battle of Marathon to her soldiers. This confrontation marks the demise of King Darius I of Persia at the hands of General Themistocles, symbolizing the beginning of the long-lasting conflict between Greece and Persia.

    When
    10 years before the main events
    Where
    Marathon

  2. Darius's Attack

    King Darius, furious over the idea of Greek independence, initiates a surprise attack on Marathon with his vast forces. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Greek heroes stand firm against tyranny.

    When
    10 years before the main events
    Where
    Marathon

  3. Themistocles' Surprise Assault

    General Themistocles leads an audacious surprise assault on the Persian forces after their month-long journey at sea. His decisive shot striking Darius in the heart turns the tide of the battle.

    When
    During the Battle of Marathon
    Where
    Marathon

  4. Xerxes' Transformation

    The death of Darius profoundly impacts his son, Xerxes, who, advised by his counselor, embarks on a journey of vengeance. In a mystical cave, he bathes in an enigmatic substance, transforming him into the formidable 'God-King.'

    When
    After the Battle of Marathon
    Where
    Desert Cave

  5. Xerxes Vows Revenge

    Returning to Persia, Xerxes vows to avenge his father's death and march towards Greece. His forces prepare to unleash their might upon the land as tensions rise between the two factions.

    When
    Shortly after Darius' demise
    Where
    Persia

  6. Themistocles' Naval Fleet Appeal

    Themistocles, recognizing the impending threat, persuades the council to fund a naval fleet for combat against the advancing Persian forces. He reaches out to Leonidas for support but faces hesitation.

    When
    Before the Persian march on Thermopylae
    Where
    Athens

  7. Artemisia's Backstory

    Themistocles reconnects with Scyllas, who reveals the dark past of Artemisia. Once a Greek, her family's demise at the hands of her own people fuels her allegiance to the Persians as their naval commander.

    When
    Before the naval confrontation
    Where
    Persian Ranks

  8. Battle Preparations

    As the Greek forces prepare for battle, Themistocles meticulously strategizes to take on Artemisia on the high seas, while Leonidas faces Xerxes amidst the rugged cliffs of Thermopylae.

    When
    Before the naval assault
    Where
    The Sea and Thermopylae

  9. The Persian Assault

    The Persian forces unleash devastating tactics, including spilling tar to confuse the Greek navy. Amid the chaos, Themistocles proves his worth by sinking one of the Persian ships, leading to an explosion.

    When
    During the naval battle
    Where
    The Sea

  10. Themistocles' Resilience

    After being thrown overboard amidst the chaos, Themistocles is rescued by Calisto. He learns of Scyllas' injuries and contemplates the cost of their conflict, questioning whether their resistance is futile.

    When
    During the naval battle
    Where
    The Sea

  11. Ephialtes' Betrayal

    In dire need of reinforcements, Themistocles discovers the tragic fate of Leonidas and his warriors. He chooses to spare the traitor Ephialtes, hoping to use him to warn the Persians about the Greeks' strategic gatherings.

    When
    Before the battle escalates
    Where
    Athens

  12. The Climactic Battle

    With the Persian army closing in on Athens, the battle between the Greek and Persian fleets ignites. Themistocles and Artemisia engage in a brutal confrontation, sustaining injuries on both sides.

    When
    During the battle
    Where
    Salamis

  13. Gorgo's Resolve

    As the overwhelming struggle unfolds, Gorgo rallies the Spartan forces alongside their allies. Their combined strength leads to a formidable counterattack against the Persian forces, embodying unity amid chaos.

    When
    During the battle
    Where
    Sparta

  14. The Final Showdown

    Themistocles faces Artemisia one last time, where their vendetta culminates in a deadly confrontation. As she breathes her last, she witnesses Xerxes abandoning her cause, sealing her fate.

    When
    Climactic battle point
    Where
    The Sea

  15. United for Vengeance

    In the ultimate moments of battle, Themistocles and Gorgo share a resolute glance. They prepare to lead their men against the Persian forces, setting the stage for a legendary showdown in their quest for freedom.

    When
    Final moments of the conflict
    Where
    Field of Battle

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 11:44

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Timeline questions answered

300: Rise of an Empire Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of 300: Rise of an Empire (2014): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Themistocles kill Darius at the Battle of Marathon?

Themistocles killed King Darius because the Persian king had launched a revenge attack against Greece after being humiliated at Marathon. Darius wanted to crush Greek independence and had been furious at the Greek victory ten years earlier. Themistocles' decisive shot striking Darius in the heart turned the tide of the battle and marked the beginning of the lasting conflict between Greece and Persia.

  • thematicles
  • darius
  • battle of marathon
  • persian king
  • assassination
Q2

How did Xerxes become the God-King?

After witnessing his father Darius die at Marathon, Xerxes was counseled that only the gods could defeat the Greeks. Following his father's death, Xerxes embarked on a treacherous journey through the desert where he bathed in a mystical cave filled with an enigmatic substance. This transformation emerged him as the towering "God-King" who led the Persian invasion of Greece.

  • xerxes
  • god-king
  • transformation
  • persia
  • darius son
  • cave
Q3

Why does Artemisia fight for Persia despite being Greek?

Artemisia was originally Greek, but her family was slaughtered by Greek soldiers. This tragic past made her seek vengeance against her own people. She became Persia's finest naval commander, using her expertise to fight against Greece. Her personal grudge against the Greeks drove her alliance with Xerxes and made her one of Persia's most dangerous adversaries.

  • artemisia
  • greek
  • persia
  • vengeance
  • naval commander
  • backstory
Q4

What happened to Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae?

Leonidas and his small band of 300 Spartans were killed at Thermopylae while holding off the massive Persian army. This sacrifice allowed the Greek forces to retreat and regroup. Themistocles learned of their tragic fate while in Athens, which motivated him to continue fighting the Persian invasion.

  • leonidas
  • spartans
  • thermopylae
  • death
  • xerxes
Q5

Why did Themistocles spare the traitor Ephialtes?

Themistocles chose to spare Ephialtes because he saw an opportunity to use him strategically. Rather than killing the traitor, Themistocles sent Ephialtes to warn Xerxes about the gathering Greek forces at Salamis. This was a tactical move to lure the Persian navy into the narrow straits where the Greeks could defeat them.

  • ephialtes
  • traitor
  • themistocles
  • salamis
  • strategy
Q6

Why did Themistocles refuse Artemisia's offer to join her?

Artemisia attempted to seduce Themistocles and recruit him as her second-in-command, offering him power within the Persian Empire. Themistocles firmly refused her proposition, which enraged Artemisia and intensified her personal vendetta against him. His refusal cemented their adversarial relationship for the remainder of the war.

  • themistocles
  • artemisia
  • seduction
  • refusal
  • persian empire
Q7

How did the Greeks win the Battle of Salamis?

Themistocles devised a strategic plan to lure the larger Persian fleet into the narrow straits of Salamis. Using a feigned retreat, he enticed Artemisia's forces into the rocky crevices where their numerical advantage was negated. The Greeks executed calculated attacks that exploited the Persian ships' weaknesses, ultimately turning the tide of the war.

  • battle of salamis
  • themistocles
  • greek victory
  • persian fleet
  • strategy
Q8

What happens to Artemisia at the end of the film?

Artemisia dies in a final confrontation with Themistocles aboard their ships. Despite both sustaining severe injuries, Themistocles delivers the fatal blow. In her dying moments, she witnesses Xerxes abandoning her cause, realizing her loyalty was ultimately unreciprocated.

  • artemisia
  • death
  • themistocles
  • xerxes
  • final battle
Q9

What is Gorgo's role in the naval conflict?

Queen Gorgo, wife of Leonidas, plays a crucial leadership role after her husband's death. She rallies the Spartan forces and other Greek allies to join the fight against Persia. Her grief over Leonidas initially prevents her from assisting Themistocles, but she ultimately contributes to the unified Greek resistance.

  • gorgo
  • queen
  • sparta
  • rally
  • allies
  • leonidas wife
Q10

Why did Athens and Sparta finally unite against Persia?

Despite initial hesitation and division among the Greek city-states, the overwhelming Persian threat eventually forced Athens and Sparta to unite. Gorgo's decision to support Themistocles after receiving Leonidas' sword symbolized this unification. The Greeks recognized that their survival depended on putting aside internal conflicts to face the common enemy.

  • athens
  • sparta
  • unity
  • greek alliance
  • persia
  • themistocles
  • gorgo

Movie threads

More Movies Like 300: Rise of an Empire, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 300: Rise of an Empire tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Stylized Ancient War Epics like 300: Rise of an Empire

Visually striking and intensely brutal historical battles brought to life. If you enjoyed the intense naval battles and graphic-novel style of 300: Rise of an Empire, discover more movies that deliver a similar experience. These films feature epic historical conflicts, highly stylized violence, and a fast-paced, thrilling narrative that feels more like a mythic legend than a textbook history.

  • epic
  • intense
  • thrilling
  • brutal
  • vengeful
  • mythic
  • Tone: tense, brutal, determined
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often follow a straightforward, chronological path of escalating battles, pitting a determined but outnumbered force against a vast empire. Character arcs are typically lean and archetypal, focusing on leadership, vengeance, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, driving directly towards the climactic confrontation.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core identity of high-intensity, visually arresting depictions of war. They are united by a fast pacing, a tense and determined tone, and a primary focus on the spectacle of battle, creating a coherent experience for viewers seeking adrenaline-fueled historical action.

300: Rise of an Empire movie poster

300: Rise of an Empire

2014
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300

2007
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2017
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Gods of Egypt

2016
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The Legend of Hercules

2014
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The 13th Warrior

1999
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Wrath of the Titans

2012

Naval Warfare Movies like 300: Rise of an Empire

High-stakes conflict on the high seas, decided by strategy and sheer will. For viewers who loved the naval combat focus of 300: Rise of an Empire, this collection features other films centered on epic sea battles. Explore stories of strategic duels, towering warships, and the chaos of war on the water, from ancient times to modern conflicts.

  • thrilling
  • strategic
  • destructive
  • tense
  • naval
  • warfare
  • Tone: tense, strategic, high-stakes
  • Pacing: variable, with fast-paced battles
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a series of naval engagements, with feints, surprises, and evolving tactics driving the plot forward. The story is often built around the rivalry between opposing admirals or generals, making the conflict as much a battle of wits as a contest of brute force.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique setting and core action mechanic: naval warfare. They share a high intensity derived from the destruction of ships and the peril of the sea, a tense tone due to the strategic cat-and-mouse games, and a pacing that is often fast and chaotic during battle sequences.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World movie poster

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

2003
Sink the Bismarck! movie poster

Sink the Bismarck!

1960
Action in the North Atlantic movie poster

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1943
The Enemy Below movie poster

The Enemy Below

1957
American Warships movie poster

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2012
Stand by for Action movie poster

Stand by for Action

1942
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway movie poster

Dauntless: The Battle of Midway

2019
Admiral movie poster

Admiral

2016

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Every angle

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