Nobody was as good as the Spartans at the time. However, if I am approaching a Spartan, then just out of self-preservation, I am going to at least try to stab him with my sword. If it's too short, at least throw it before you die.

I loved that shield dome too. Too bad they didn't stick with it.

The Queen's sub-plot would have been just fine if she had said no. The whole scene with the council could have remained unchanged.