# Book VII: Polymnia explained — Histories > Chapter companion for Histories by Herodotus. ## What happens Darius, enraged by the Athenian victory at Marathon and the burning of Sardis, prepares a massive expedition against Greece and Egypt. After his death, Xerxes inherits the throne and, persuaded by Mardonios and Demaratos, decides to invade Greece. Xerxes assembles a vast army and fleet, bridges the Hellespont, and crosses into Europe, despite portents and the counsel of Artabanos. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vii-polymnia - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters