Honor and Duty

The first established theme within the graphic novel centers on societal honor and duty with a particular focus on Spartan society. Honor is the ultimate goal of every Spartan and their lifestyle is entirely devoted to honorable behavior and practices—they care nothing for money, power, or the soft life. Each individual Spartan maintains personal honor by rigorously complying with Spartan law and custom. Spartans who do not so conform—for example, Ephialtes' parents—are ostracized or leave voluntarily. Even interpersonal relationships are entirely subjugated to the notion of honor. For example, Leonidas' wife instructs him as he leaves that she expects him to return with his shield or on his shield; that is, return with honor or return dead. It follows that personal honor leads to group honor, and group honor leads to societal honor. An honorable society, perpetuated through time, will...