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Question 1

Artembares, marshal of ten thousand horse… Dadaces, captain of a thousand men… Tenegon, a true Bactrian born, first in their ranks…” Page 131. These are the first three names of a list of about 8 significant generals who died, under Xerxes’ command, against the Athenians

Answer 1

Each epithet shows that these men were incredibly skilled and would have been difficult to defeat. This is has two effects, first highlighting the Athenian’s skills as they were able to defeat so many experienced warriors and, more importantly, highlighting the scale of Xerxes’ incompetence as even his most accomplished warriors were defeated.

Question 2

This is reinforced by the council’s direct condemnation of Xerxes: “Who led them forth, but Xerxes? Who sealed their death, but Xerxes? Whose error send our all to sail in ships, And lost it all, but Xerxes?” Page 138. Here, the repetition of Xerxes solidifies him as the direct target of the blame

Answer 2

This is also particularly significant as the council manage to put aside their fear of Xerxes in order to state this, signifying pure outrage at the leader’s negligence.

The council’s fear of speaking against xerxes is overuled by their rage at the leader’s negligence

Question 3

In response to watching his army get slaughtered, “[Xerxes] wailed aloud And tore his clothes, weeping” Pages 135-136. Xerxes tearing his clothes can be viewed as a physical manifestation of his failure

Answer 3

possibly showing the Xerxes’ association of quality of belongings, like clothes, and success. This means he would also highly value luxury as it is a sign of his empire’s success.