# Book V: Terpsichore explained — Histories

> Chapter companion for Histories by Herodotus.

## What happens

This chapter details the Persian subjugation of Thrace under Megabazos, including the conquest of Perinthos and the customs of various Thracian tribes. It also covers the recall of Histiaios to Sardis by Darius, the appointment of Otanes as commander, and the Ionian Revolt's aftermath, including Xerxes' vow to punish Athens and Histiaios' deceptive plea to return to Ionia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Tyranny

Darius and Xerxes exercise absolute power, recalling Histiaios and vowing vengeance, while Persian commanders subdue cities and enforce submission.

### Deception and Cunning

Histiaios deceives Xerxes with promises of conquering Sardinia to secure his release and return to Ionia.

### Cultural Relativism and Ethnography

Herodotus describes Thracian customs, including mourning at birth, rejoicing at death, polygamy, and tattooing as marks of nobility.

## Character check-ins

### Megabazos

Persian commander who subdues Perinthos and Thrace, then advises Darius about Histiaios' activities.

### Histiaios

Milesian who fortifies Myrkinos, is recalled by Darius, and later deceives Xerxes to return to Ionia.

### Darius

Persian king who orders the subjugation of Thrace, recalls Histiaios, and later sends him back to Ionia.

### Xerxes

Darius' successor who vows vengeance against the Athenians after learning of the Ionian Revolt.

### Otanes

Appointed commander of the coastal regions after Megabazos; conquers Byzantion, Calchedon, and other cities.

### Onesilos

Leader of Salamis who besieges Amathus and summons Ionian aid against the Persians in Cyprus.

## Key lines

> O king, what a thing is this that thou hast done, granting permission to a Hellene who is skilful and cunning to found a city in Thracia in a place where there is forest for shipbuilding in abundance and great quantity of wood for oars and mines of silver and great numbers both of Hellenes and Barbarians living round, who when they have obtained a leader will do that which he shall command them both by day and by night.

Megabazos warns Darius that allowing a clever Greek like Histiaios to establish a city in Thrace, with its abundant timber, silver mines, and diverse population, could lead to rebellion if he gains a leader.

_Megabazos advises Darius to recall Histiaios to prevent a potential uprising._

> Zeus, that it may be granted me to take vengeance upon the Athenians!

Xerxes prays to Zeus for the opportunity to punish the Athenians for their role in the Ionian Revolt.

_Xerxes' vow marks his intent to invade Greece._

> I swear by the gods of the royal house that I will not put off from me the tunic which I wear when I go down to Ionia, until I have made Sardinia tributary to thee, which is the largest of all islands.

Histiaios swears a solemn oath to Xerxes that he will not change his clothes until he has made Sardinia a tribute-paying subject of Persia.

_Histiaios uses this promise to deceive Xerxes into letting him return to Ionia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-v-terpsichore
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters