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historical barbarians - Coggle Diagram
historical barbarians
Aeschylus' portrayal of the Persians in "Persians"
written in 472 BC
earliest surviving play of Aeschylus
the only surviving greek tragedy that deals with a contemporary event
plot
set in susa in 480 BC
immediate aftermath of the battle of salamis
the persians have been defeated in battle, but the news has not yet reached the Persian court
Xerxes' mother, atossa, awaits news of the battle
structure
parados
the chorus enter, waiting for the Persian army to return
concerned they haven't heard news
speak of a prophecy that the Persians will win on land, not at sea
first episode
atossa enters andshares the chorus' worries
atossa had a dream of Xerxes being thrown from a chariot
the chorus encourage atossa to pour libations for Darius to seek his help
a messenger enters and reports the defeat at salamis
the messenger states that Xerxes did not participate in the battle and instead sat and watched from a hill
first ode
the chorus explain how the women will mourn the dead, and that people blame Xerxes
second episode
atossa describes her offerings and explains her plan to summon darius
second ode
the chorus call upon Darius as their king
third episode
the ghost of Darius appears and asks why he has been summoned
atossa explains that Xerxes led the Persians to failure
Darius says that the prophecy has been fulfilled as they tried to turn sea into land and failed
darius blames it on Xerxes arrogance and youthfulness
third ode
the chorus discuss what a good ruler Darius was
exodus
Xerxes enters, grieving his fate
the chorus makes Xerxes repeat how the admirals died
characterisation
atossa
shows dependence on Xerxes
fearful and panicked due to Persian failure
presented as having wisdom and perception
darius
his power still intimidates the chorus
expresses sorrow at the loss of Persian life
gives gentle advice to atossa, showing a family unit
xerxes
expresses grief and shame at the loss of life
his mourning is what would be typically expected of greek women
Xerxes blames the hatred of the gods
context
performed 8 years after the battle of salamis, so feelings against the Persians would still be present
Aeschylus most likely fought in the battle of salamis, due to his eyewitness accounts of the battle
herodotus' portrayal of the persians
herodotus was born in 484 BC in halicarnassus, part of the Persian empire
he travelled around the ancient world, spending time in Egypt, Persia and Athens
characteristics and ungreek nature of the Persians
when the spartan commander enters the Persian tent after the battle of plateau, he is taken aback by the riches and wealth of the Persians
herodotus explains xerxes intentions for invading greece
"I have considered how best to match the accomplishments of my ancestors"
Xerxes describes the conquest of Greece as vengence
"there will be no city, nor race left to stand against us in battle, once these greeks are out of the way"
once Xerxes invades Athens, he burns down the temple of the gods
herodotus has themistocles suggest that the defeat at salamis is divine justice for xerxes burning the temples
"a man who made no distinction between houses ands temples"
the behaviour and characterisation of xerxes
the behaviour of Xerxes at the hellespont is seen as another example of him offending the gods
gives the water 300 lashes
the behaviour of Persian troops in Athens is offensive to the gods
"they plundered the temple and set fire to the acropolis"
herodotus' accounts of the supernatural
there are dreams, visions and oracles throughout the descritpion of the Persians
the greeks tend to succeed because they interpret the oracle correctly, whereas the Persians do not
Themistocles correctly interprets the oracle that the "wall of wood" is ships and the navy to defeat the Persians
herodotus' narrative and literary devices
the introduction reminds the reader of epic poetry
"this is the account of the researches of herodotus of Halicarnassus"
use of speeches to dramatise conversations between characters
uses the inner thoughts of characters, which is not reliable information
includes an assessment of his sources, stating whether or not he believes it
comparison of Aeschylus and herodotus' portrayals of the greeks and persians
greeks
aeschylus
doesn't mention any greeks by name
presented as having a united purpose
describes the greeks as rowing together, shouting slogans of freedom
herodotus
the greeks are barely united
Themistocles has to use a trick to be able to fight the Persians
persians
both authors focus on Xerxes whipping the sea, demonnstrating hubristic behaviour