# Book VIII: Urania explained — Histories > Chapter companion for Histories by Herodotus. ## What happens The Athenians refuse Xerxes' terms, vowing never to betray the Hellenic cause despite the destruction of their city. The Battle of Salamis unfolds with the Greeks fighting in disciplined order, while the Persians fall into chaos. Artemisia distinguishes herself by ramming a Calyndian ship, earning Xerxes' praise that his men have become women and his women men. After the defeat, Xerxes consults Artemisia, who advises him to retreat and leave Mardonios to continue the campaign, a counsel the terrified king eagerly accepts. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Cunning Artemisia's ruse of ramming a Calyndian ship to escape an Athenian pursuer exemplifies cunning deception, as she misleads both the Athenians and Xerxes. ### The Role of Women Artemisia's prominent role as a female commander and advisor to Xerxes challenges traditional gender roles, highlighted by Xerxes' remark that his men have become women and his women men. ### Hubris and Divine Retribution Xerxes' initial hubris in invading Greece is met with divine retribution at Salamis, where his fleet is destroyed despite his overwhelming numbers. ## Character check-ins ### Artemisia Artemisia cunningly rams a Calyndian ship to escape an Athenian pursuer, gaining Xerxes' admiration. Later, she advises Xerxes to retreat and leave Mardonios to subdue Greece. ### Xerxes Xerxes observes the battle from shore, praises Artemisia, and after the defeat seeks her counsel. He is terrified and decides to retreat, leaving Mardonios behind. ### Mardonios Mardonios urges Xerxes to stay and attack the Peloponnese, or to let him take 30 myriads to subdue Greece while the king withdraws. ### Themistocles Themistocles is not directly mentioned in the excerpts, but the Athenian resolve and the battle strategy reflect his influence. ### Herodotus Herodotus narrates the events, including the story of Hermotimos and the Pedasian priestess's beard. ## Key lines > first and greatest the images and houses of the gods set on fire or reduced to ruin, which we must necessarily avenge to the very utmost rather than make an agreement with him who did these deeds; then secondly there is the bond of Hellenic race, by which we are of one blood and of one speech, the common temples of the gods and the common sacrifices, the manners of life which are the same for all; to these it would not be well that the Athenians should become traitors. The Athenians declare they will never make peace with Xerxes because he burned their temples and gods, and because of their shared Hellenic identity—common blood, language, and customs—they must not betray their kin. _The Athenians justify their refusal to surrender by invoking religious duty and pan-Hellenic unity._ > My men have become women, and my women men. Xerxes laments that his male soldiers have become cowardly like women, while Artemisia, a woman, fights with the courage of a man. _Xerxes' remark underscores the inversion of gender roles and his admiration for Artemisia's valor._ > for on the one hand if he subdue those whom he says that he desires to subdue, and if those matters succeed well which he has in mind when he thus speaks, the deed will after all be thine, master, seeing that thy slaves achieved it: and on the other hand if the opposite shall come to pass of that which Mardonios intends, it will be no great misfortune, seeing that thou wilt thyself remain safe, and also the power in those parts which concerns thy house. Artemisia advises Xerxes that if Mardonios succeeds, the glory will be Xerxes'; if he fails, Xerxes will still be safe and can fight another day. _Artemisia's counsel cleverly appeals to Xerxes' self-interest, allowing him to retreat without losing face._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-viii-urania - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/histories_se/chapters