Xerxes Makers of History

Persian magnificence.--The mother of Xerxes.--Cambyses.--Ambition and selfishness of kings.--General influence exerted by great sovereigns upon the community.--Labors of great c...

Xerxes assumes the crown.--His message to Artobazanes.--Question of the succession again debated.--Advice of Atossa.--Decision of Artabanus.--Unfinished wars of Darius.--Egypt a...

Counselors of Xerxes.--Age and character of Mardonius.--The avenues to renown.--Blood inherited and blood shed.--Character of Artabanus.--His advice to Xerxes.--The Ionian rebel...

Orders to the provinces.--Mode of raising money.--Modern mode of securing supplies of arms and money.--Xerxes's preparations.--Four years allotted to them.--Arms.--Provisions.--...

Winter in Asia Minor.--Destruction of the bridge.--Indignation of Xerxes.--His ridiculous punishment of the sea.--Xerxes orders a new bridge to be made.--Its construction.--Mode...

The fleet and the army separate.--The Chersonesus.--Sufferings from thirst.--The Hebrus.--Plain of Doriscus.--Preparations for the great review.--Mode of taking a census.--Immen...

The Greeks.--The two prominent states of Greece.--Greek kings.--The two kings of Sparta.--Origin of the custom of two kings.--The twins.--The Delphic oracle consulted.--Plan for...

Advance of the army.--Sailing of the fleet.--Sciathus.--Euboea.--Straits of Artemisium and Euripus.--Attica.--Saronic Gulf.--Island of Salamis.--Excitement of the country.--Sign...

The pass of Thermopylæ.--Its situation.--Ancient intrenchments.--View at Thermopylæ.--The allied forces.--Leonidas the Spartan.--Debate in regard to defending Thermopylæ.--The d...

The officers return to their vessels.--The Greek fleet retire to Salamis.--The Thessalians.--Their hostility to the Phocæans.--Defeat of the Thessalians.--Phocæan stratagem.--A...

Situation of Salamis.--Movements of the fleet and the army.--Policy of the Greeks.--Reasons for retreating to Salamis.--A council of war.--Consultations and debates.--Conflictin...

Mardonius.--His apprehensions after the battle.--Depression of Xerxes.--Mardonius's address to him.--Mardonius offers to complete the conquest of Greece.--Effect of Mardonius's...