Have Things Like This Ever Happened In Real History?

[asianboy]

Doesn't have to be about Spartacus, of course. Just any event in history that played out in the same way.

[G-Megas-Doux]

I think these types of events are more allegorical in common culture usage than actual events.

[Morkonan]

There are probably billions of people that have selflessly sacrificed themselves for their beliefs and those they cared about. In fact, it's a pretty common occurrence. It's one reason why I think the human race has a chance of making something better of itself. You can examine any struggle you wish, even the most mundane, and find people selflessly giving of themselves for principle that is much bigger than they.

Hopefully, with understanding and compassion, we will eventually become something much greater than just the sum of our peoples. That's not a bad thing to hope for.

I'M SPARTACUS!

[Lovejoy]

This reminded me of this story, source unknown:

It has been reported that an employee of Ansett Australia, who happened to have the last name of Gay, got on a plane recently using the company’s ‘Free Flight’ offer for staff. However, when Mr. Gay tried to take his seat, he found it being occupied by a fare-paying passenger.

So not to make a fuss, he simply chose another seat. Unknown to Mr. Gay, another Ansett flight at the airport experienced mechanical problems. The passengers of this flight were being re-routed to various other airplanes. A few were put on Mr. Gay’s flight and anyone who was holding a ‘free’ ticket was being ‘bumped’. Ansett officials, armed with a list of these ‘freebee’ ticket holders boarded the plane, as is the practice, to remove them in favor of fare paying passengers

Of course, our Mr. Gay was not sitting in his assigned seat, as you may remember. So when the Ticket Agent approached the seat where Mr. Gay was supposed to be sitting, she asked a startled customer “Are you gay?” The man, shyly nodded that he was, at which point she demanded: “Then you have to get off the plane.” Mr. Gay, overhearing what the Agent had said, tried to clear up the situation: “You’ve got the wrong man, I’m Gay!” This caused an angry third passenger to yell, “Hell, I’m gay too! They can’t kick us all off!” Confusion reigned as more and more passengers began yelling that Ansett had no right to remove gays from their flight

Hiiiiiiiiilarious!

[Poach]

Truly an epic story Lovejoy, gave me a chuckle.

OP: Yes, selflessness exists. Using Spartacus as an example may be a tad dubious, as Hollywood turned him from a vaguely documented man (there are even sources painting a pretty bad picture of him) into a freedom-loving underdog fighting the evil Empire and dying a hero's death.

Hollywood seems to enjoy underdogs fighting evil Empires. Oh I do wonder why...

[Mig el Pig]

During WW2 the German occupation force in Greece sent a platoon(or squad) to a greek Isle because there were supposed to be 2 jews there. They went to see the local major and his secretary and told them they had 24/48 hours to deliver(or expose) the jews.

After 24/48 hours the major and his secretary went to the german commander and said they were the 2 jews.
They were transported to Auschwitz and died there.

[QuackyNC]

During WW2 the German occupation force in Greece sent a platoon(or squad) to a greek Isle because there were supposed to be 2 jews there. They went to see the local major and his secretary and told them they had 24/48 hours to deliver(or expose) the jews.

After 24/48 hours the major and his secretary went to the german commander and said they were the 2 jews.
They were transported to Auschwitz and died there.

Thats a great story, I've never heard that one before, but very inspiring. What Greek isle was that on?

It seems that soldiers in ancient times had a fierce loyalty to their commanders so I don't suppose its so far fetched to believe something like that could happen.

I always find the most interesting event in the third Servile war was the fact the Romans crucified thousands of the rebels along the Appian Way and they were left hanging there till they pretty much rotted off. Pretty gruesome.

That is a really great movie and a classic scene though even if it isn't true!

[G-Megas-Doux]

The flight joke I actually heard years ago, so it is probably even older than that and more likely an urban legend.