A Nation Once Again - 303 men?

Subject: A Nation Once Again - 303 men?
From: GUEST,Len Wallace
Date: 20 May 19 - 02:57 PM

A question regarding lyrics of the well known Irish “anthem” called “A Nation Once Again”. There is a line I do not understand the reference to.

"When boyhood's fire was in my blood
I read of ancient freemen,
For Greece and Rome who bravely stood,
Three hundred men and three men"

Who does these 303 men refer to?
The song was written by Thomas Osborne Davis (1814–1845). Who was a founder of Young Ireland.
Many thanks,
Len Wallace, Windsor, ON

Subject: RE: A Nation Once Again - 303 men?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 May 19 - 03:39 PM

See the wiki page for the song.

It refers to the 300 Spartans, The Battle of Thermopylae. And Three Romans defending the Pons Sublicius

Subject: RE: A Nation Once Again - 303 men?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 May 19 - 07:30 PM

300 men and free men. Love my mondegreens.