Book VII: Polymnia explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Power and Tyranny

  Xerxes' absolute authority is displayed in his decision to invade Greece, his punishment of the Hellespont, and his expectation of total obedience from his subjects.

• Hubris and Divine Retribution

  Xerxes' arrogance in bridging the Hellespont and his disregard for portents (e.g., the mare giving birth to a hare) foreshadow divine retribution and the eventual failure of his campaign.

• Fate and Inevitability

  Despite warnings from Artabanos and ominous signs, Xerxes proceeds with the invasion, suggesting a sense of inevitable conflict and doom.

Characters to notice

• Darius

  Darius, son of Hystaspes, is furious about Marathon and the attack on Sardis; he prepares a massive expedition but dies before carrying it out.

• Xerxes

  Xerxes, son of Darius and Atossa, is designated king after a succession dispute, then decides to invade Greece, bridges the Hellespont, and leads the army into Europe.

• Mardonios

  Mardonios, cousin of Xerxes, urges him to invade Greece and later advises him to ignore the advice of Artabanos.

• Demaratos

  Demaratos, the exiled Spartan king, advises Xerxes on the succession, claiming that a son born while his father is king should inherit.

• Artabanos

  Artabanos, uncle of Xerxes, warns against the invasion, citing the dangers of the sea and the strength of the Greeks, but is overruled.

• Atossa

  Atossa, daughter of Cyrus and wife of Darius, is noted as all-powerful and instrumental in Xerxes becoming king.

• Artaphrenes

  Artaphrenes is mentioned as a commander in the earlier expedition against Athens.

• Datis

  Datis is mentioned as a commander in the earlier expedition against Athens.

Key passages

• “Now when the report came to Darius the son of Hystaspes of the battle which was fought at Marathon, the king, who even before this had been greatly exasperated with the Athenians on account of the attack made upon Sardis, then far more than before displayed indignation, and was far more desirous of making a march against Hellas.”

  Upon hearing of the defeat at Marathon, Darius, already angry about the burning of Sardis, became even more determined to invade Greece.

  This passage sets the stage for the Persian invasion by highlighting Darius's enduring grudge against Athens.

• “I design to yoke the Hellespont with a bridge, and to march an army through Europe against Hellas, in order that I may take vengeance on the Athenians for all the things which they have done both to the Persians and to my father.”

  Xerxes announces his plan to bridge the Hellespont and lead a massive army into Europe to punish Athens for their attacks on Persia and his father.

  Xerxes' speech reveals his ambition for revenge and expansion, central to the chapter's theme of power.

• “Why, O Zeus, in the likeness of a Persian man and taking for thyself the name of Xerxes instead of Zeus, art thou proposing to lay waste Hellas, taking with thee all the nations of men?”

  A bystander remarks that Xerxes, with his vast army, seems like Zeus in human form, come to destroy Greece.

  This comment underscores the hubris of Xerxes and the divine scale of his expedition.