Representation of Darius and Xerxes in Herodotus

Name the leader! (can you guess all the names on this page?)

Guess the Battle Angram! 1. Lass Am I 2. Maritime Us 3. Tempera Holy 4. Torah Man 5. A Palate 6. Calm Ye

Anagram Answers: 1. Salamis 2. Artemisium 3. Thermopylae 4. Marathon 5. Plataea 6. Mycale

Key themes Decision-making Decision-making The position of the king The position of the king Proskunesis – prostrating oneself infront of others of higher rank Proskunesis – prostrating oneself infront of others of higher rank Greek understanding of the position of kings in Persia. Greek understanding of the position of kings in Persia.

Darius There were certain Greeks who were pro-Persian, such as the Medizing Greeks, which were largely grouped at Athens. This improved Greek-Persian relations as Darius opened his court and treasuries to the Greeks who wanted to serve him. These Greeks served as in the Persian Empire for Darius, such as Hippias or the Peisistrati and come in for particular criticism by Herodotus. When Aristagoras organized the Ionian revolt, but Persian military and naval operations to quell the revolt ended in the Persian reoccupation of Ionian and Greek islands. However, anti-Persian parties gained more power in Athens, and pro-Persian aristocrats were exiled from Athens and Sparta. Determined to punish Athens, Darius sent a second army consisting of 20,000 men under Datis who captured Eretria and moved onwards to Marathon. In 490, at the Battle of Marathon, the Persians were defeated. Herodotus therefore sees Darius as a tyrant and an aggressor as he puts down democratic uprisings and invades Greece in retribution for the burning of the temples in Sardis.

Xerxes Xerxes is often protrayed as foolish or naïve by Herodotus and provides a clear contrast with the bravery and shrewd leadership of the Athenian and Spartan leaders. Incidents such as Xerxes’ anger at the destruction of his bridge over the hellespont or the beheading of the Phoenician Captains for supposed cowardice after Salamis. Similarly, According to Herodotus, upon encountering the deserted city, in an uncharacteristic fit of rage particularly for Persian kings, Xerxes had Athens burned. He almost immediately regretted this action and ordered it rebuilt the very next day. However, some have argued that Sparta not Athens was the name foe after Marathon and that Persia would have nothing to gain from this act. The reporting of the sacking of Athens mirrors the sacking of Sardis so provides a nice balance to Herodotus’ work, although not necessarily an accurate one.

Xerxes Xerxes' first attempt to bridge the Hellespont ended in failure when a storm destroyed the bridge; Xerxes ordered the Hellespont whipped three hundred times and had fetters thrown into the water. Xerxes' first attempt to bridge the Hellespont ended in failure when a storm destroyed the bridge; Xerxes ordered the Hellespont whipped three hundred times and had fetters thrown into the water.

Herodotus: The role of medizing Greeks and Proskunesis Clear examples in the Histories involve the role of Hippias at Marathon and the role of Demaratus after Thermopylae and Mardonius. Clear examples in the Histories involve the role of Hippias at Marathon and the role of Demaratus after Thermopylae and Mardonius. Task 1: Find the relevant parts involving these figures and note the corresponding passages in your work – as well as finding one relevant quote to demostrate how Herodotus treats these figures. Proskunesis: a person of equal rank received a kiss on the lips, someone of a slightly lower rank gave a kiss on the cheek, and someone of a very inferior social standing had to completely bow down to the other person before them. This leads to confusion as Greeks would only reserve this form of worship to a God and therefore not only do they find this custom barbaric – although Herodotus does seem intrigued by it, they belived the Persians worshiped their kings are gods. Proskunesis: a person of equal rank received a kiss on the lips, someone of a slightly lower rank gave a kiss on the cheek, and someone of a very inferior social standing had to completely bow down to the other person before them. This leads to confusion as Greeks would only reserve this form of worship to a God and therefore not only do they find this custom barbaric – although Herodotus does seem intrigued by it, they belived the Persians worshiped their kings are gods. Task 2: Task 2: Find the relevant parts involving this action and note the corresponding passages in your work – as well as finding one relevant quote to demostrate how Herodotus treats its occurance – either when people meet the king or when he describes Persian customs