Persians (709-731)

O you who in prosperity surpassed all mortal men by your happy destiny,

since, so long as you gazed upon the beams of the sun, you lived a life of felicity, envied of all, in Persian eyes a god, so now too I consider you fortunate in that you died before you beheld the depth of our calamities. The whole tale, O Darius, you will hear in brief space of time: the power of Persia is ruined almost utterly.

How did it happen? Did some stroke of pestilence or factional strife come upon the State?

Neither; but near Athens our whole host has been brought to ruin.

Tell me, what son of mine led our army there?

Impetuous Xerxes, depopulating the whole surface of the continent.

Was it by land or sea that he made this mad expedition, the reckless man?

By both. There was a twofold front of double armies.

But how was it that so vast a land force won a passage to the farther shore?

By a clever device he yoked the Hellespont so as to gain a passage.

What! Did he succeed in closing the mighty Bosporus?

Yes indeed. One of the divine powers must have assisted him in his purpose.

Alas! Some mighty power came upon him so that he was not able to think clearly.

Yes, since we can see the outcome, what ruin he wrought.

And how then did they fare that you now lament them?

Disaster to the naval force brought ruin to the force on land.

And did the whole army utterly perish by the spear?

Yes, and it is for this reason that the whole city of Susa groans at its desolation.

Alas for the loss of our warriors’ valiant force and defence!