Eugenics, Democracy, and Freedom
Within the first few minutes, moviegoers are introduced to Spartan eugenics whereby every newborn is inspected; those showing defect or disability are abandoned to die. Initially shocking to the audience, they are quickly reassured that this is all for the greater good: nation, freedom, and democracy. 300's crafty narration and erotic imagery easily legitimates these practices. After all, Spartans are brave, noble, and beautiful. And did I mention they have great abs?
This pro-eugenics trope is only magnified by the film's dramatic climax which implausibly suggests that were not the Spartans betrayed by Ephialtes - a disabled Spartan whose parents hid from the authorities - the 300 eugenically engineered soldiers would have outlasted Xerxes' minions. Put differently, the taste left in viewers' mouths is that but for the failure of Spartan eugenics to catch Ephialtes at birth, King Leonidas may very well have led the outmanned and overmatched army to victory.
Health and reproductive choice are today's justifications for eugenic decision making. But, at what point will using reproductive technologies to create "better" humans be framed as a national security issue? DARPA is already looking at human enhancement to make better soldiers; starting from scratch may very well be around the corner. Tonight, we dine in hell, indeed.