300: Rise of an Empire
Greek general Themistocles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistocles faces the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god, Xerxes and Artemesia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Despite a substantial budget of $110.0M, 300: Rise of an Empire became a box office success, earning $337.6M worldwide—a 207% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
300: Rise of an Empire (2014) exhibits meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Noam Murro's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Themistocles
Artemisia
Queen Gorgo
Xerxes
Scyllias
Calisto
Aeskylos
Main Cast & Characters
Themistocles
Played by Sullivan Stapleton
Athenian general and warrior who leads the Greek naval forces against the Persian invasion with strategic brilliance and unwavering determination.
Artemisia
Played by Eva Green
Ruthless Greek-born naval commander of the Persian fleet, driven by vengeance against Greece for her tragic past.
Queen Gorgo
Played by Lena Headey
Warrior queen of Sparta and widow of Leonidas, who rallies the Spartan forces to join the Greek resistance.
Xerxes
Played by Rodrigo Santoro
God-king of Persia whose massive invasion of Greece is fueled by divine ambition and the manipulations of Artemisia.
Scyllias
Played by Callan Mulvey
Loyal Greek warrior and trusted friend to Themistocles who fights alongside him in the naval battles.
Calisto
Played by Jack O'Connell
Fierce female warrior who fights for Greece and seeks vengeance for her family killed by the Persians.
Aeskylos
Played by Hans Matheson
Young Athenian warrior who narrates the story and fights under Themistocles' command.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Narration by Queen Gorgo establishes Greece's fragmented city-states and Themistocles' modest origins as a common soldier, setting the stage before Persian invasion.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Xerxes' massive Persian fleet approaches Greece. Themistocles receives word that the Persians are coming and that Athens must fight, disrupting any hope for peace.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Artemisia invites Themistocles to negotiate on her ship, then attempts to seduce him to join Xerxes. When he refuses, she becomes personally committed to destroying him. The conflict becomes personal; stakes raised., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Scyllias dies saving Themistocles from a suicide attack, providing the "whiff of death." The Greeks are battered, their ships damaged, morale crushed. Themistocles orders retreat from Artemisium - an apparent defeat., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The final battle at Salamis. United Greek forces use narrow straits to neutralize Persian numbers. Themistocles confronts and kills Artemisia in personal combat. The Persian fleet is destroyed, Xerxes retreats., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
300: Rise of an Empire's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping 300: Rise of an Empire against these established plot points, we can identify how Noam Murro utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 300: Rise of an Empire within the action genre.
Noam Murro's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Noam Murro films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. 300: Rise of an Empire takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Noam Murro filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Noam Murro analyses, see Smart People.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Narration by Queen Gorgo establishes Greece's fragmented city-states and Themistocles' modest origins as a common soldier, setting the stage before Persian invasion.
Theme
Young Themistocles is told by his father: "Only the gods can stop the Persians" - establishing the theme of unity and collective strength versus individual heroism.
Worldbuilding
Backstory reveals how Themistocles killed King Darius at Marathon ten years prior, creating Xerxes. We see Artemisia's brutal origin story and rise to naval commander, establishing the antagonists and political landscape.
Disruption
Xerxes' massive Persian fleet approaches Greece. Themistocles receives word that the Persians are coming and that Athens must fight, disrupting any hope for peace.
Resistance
Themistocles travels to Sparta seeking their navy's support. He debates with Queen Gorgo and the Spartan council, but they refuse to commit forces, leaving Athens to face Persia alone during the sacred Carnea festival.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Artemisia and Themistocles are established as mirror characters - both brilliant strategists, both outsiders risen through merit rather than birth, representing opposing philosophies of vengeance versus unity.
Premise
Naval battles at Artemisium deliver the promised spectacle. Greeks use superior tactics and knowledge of local waters to hold off the Persians. Themistocles proves himself as a naval commander through cunning and bravery.
Midpoint
Artemisia invites Themistocles to negotiate on her ship, then attempts to seduce him to join Xerxes. When he refuses, she becomes personally committed to destroying him. The conflict becomes personal; stakes raised.
Opposition
Artemisia intensifies attacks with everything she has. Greek losses mount. News arrives that Leonidas and the 300 Spartans have fallen at Thermopylae. Political pressure increases as Greek unity fractures.
Collapse
Scyllias dies saving Themistocles from a suicide attack, providing the "whiff of death." The Greeks are battered, their ships damaged, morale crushed. Themistocles orders retreat from Artemisium - an apparent defeat.
Crisis
Themistocles faces despair as Athens burns and his forces scatter. Queen Gorgo mourns Leonidas. The Greek cause seems lost. Dark night of doubt before the final stand.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final battle at Salamis. United Greek forces use narrow straits to neutralize Persian numbers. Themistocles confronts and kills Artemisia in personal combat. The Persian fleet is destroyed, Xerxes retreats.