[lit-ideas] Xerxes punishes engineers & the Hellespont
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:40:13 -0800
Curtius, Vol 2, p. 280:
"When the three great preparatory works were successfully completed, and the
news of this reached head-quarters, Xerxes gave immediate orders for the
commencement of the march from Sardes. The greatest difficulties seemed now
to have been removed. But before the march began, bad news arrived which
destroyed the joyous confidence prevailing. A sudden tempest had swept the
Hellespont, and in a few hours annihilated the bridges constructed with such
unspeakable trouble. This news excited an ungovernable rage in the king: he
would not hear of anything in the world being able to oppose his plans; in
every failure he beheld a criminal act of revolt against his supreme power
and a crime to be punished with terrific severity. The engineers who had
built the bridges were put to death; and even the elements were to pay the
penalty of their perversity. At all events, it was generally reported among
the Hellenes that he had caused the Hellespont to be scourged, and chains to
be sunk in it, in token of its being among the slaves of the Great King, and
obliged to serve him even against its will . . . ."
Lawrence
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:16 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Leonidas kai hoi duo hekato nonto nino
L. J. Helm:
"In 300 Xerxes is presented as an effeminate giant. Curtius in Vol 2, page
273 writes "Xerxes, a man born in the purple, of great personal beauty and
innate dignity of demeanor.
[to be continued - probably]"
-- Do!
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