Revisit the famous battle of The 300 in Jacob Abbott's History of Xerxes the Great. Xerxes was Persian Emperor during their war with the Greeks in the 5th Century B.C.E. Jacob Abbott was a writer of popular histories and biographies, and in this book he tells the story of Xerxes' triumph over the Greeks with compelling style, often relating dramatic speeches by significant historical figures.
Xerxes was the Emperor of the powerful Persian Empire. His father was King Darius, but his mother Atossa was a daughter of the admired Persian leader Cyrus the Great. His heritage as part of the Cyrus line catapulted him to the throne over Darius' other children. Xerxes promptly convened a council to prepare to attack Egypt, since the Persians were still outraged by the Ionian rebellion. But some urged Xerxes to invade Greece instead, and after being visited on successive nights by three phantoms, Xerxes finally resolved to invade Greece. Abbott vividly dramatizes these council speeches and phantom visits. As Abbott explains, legend and historical facts often become inseparable, and in such cases it is important for people to know the stories which have been in circulation for thousands of years. This is the approach taken throughout the book, particularly in the sections about Persia's defeat of Greece at the famous Battle of Thermopylae. Xerxes' victory over 300 Spartans has been repeatedly portrayed in literature and film, albeit from a Hellenic point of view. Abbott also relates significant parts of the story from the Greek perspective, departing from Xerxes' actions to praise the character and cunning of the Spartans. He contrasts the nobility of the Spartans with the barbarity of Xerxes, yet praises Xerxes accomplishments, which included later burning Athens to the ground.
History of Xerxes the Great contains observations about the subjects of the story that make them more intriguing. The Spartan obsession with personal appearance and long hair, for example, is a fascinating topic in one chapter. The precise words spoken by the Oracle at Delphi is another. History of Xerxes the Great is a page-turning history that will please readers of all ages.
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