Structure Flashcards
Parados
chorus enters
waiting for Persian army to return and list the names of all the commanders of the host
these men crossed the Hellespont over a bridge made of boats on an expedition to enslave Greece
Chorus are concerned they have not heard any news and speak of a prophecy that the Persians should seek victory on land, not sea
hail entrance of Atossa
First episode (Atossa’s omens)
Atossa shares concerns of Chorus and tells her dream
-about Xerxes attempting to yoke two women to his chariot - one Greek, one Persian
-The Greek one throws off the bridle and Xerxes falls from the chariot with Darius looking down
Atossa then explains how when she went to the altar the following morning, she saw a falcon tear at an eagle, which offered no resistance
First episode (chorus and Atossa)
chorus encourage her to pour a libation to Darius and ask for his help
Atossa then asks a number of questions about Athens to the chorus
- they explain why Xerxes began his expedition against Athens and describe the city and its men
-they remind the queen that the Greeks once defeated her husband Darius and Atossa becomes concerned
First episode (messenger)
messenger enters and reports the defeat of the Persians at Salamis - Athens is credited with the victory and the chorus recall Marathon
Atossa asks for who has died and messenger gives short descriptions of their deaths of no. of generals
Atossa asks for specific details about battle and messenger explains that there were 1000 Persian ships (inc. 207 fast ships) to 300 Greek
messenger blames gods for Persian defeat and claims fury started war
First episode (sea battle)
messenger explains
-a Greek told Xerxes the Greeks were planning an escape and Xerxes believed him
-Xerxes moved Persian ships under darkness and they patrolled all night - Xerxes threatened death to any Persian who let the Greeks escape
-Greeks did not attempt to flee and attacked the Persian ships who could not move, destroying the fleet
First episode (land forces)
messenger explains:
-before battle, Xerxes had sent troops to an island to kill any Greeks or rescue any Persians who landed there
-Xerxes watched whole disaster, sitting on hill opposite battle
-Persians set off back through Greece, suffering greatly on the way from hunger, thirst and cold
-> many Persians were lost crossing River Strymon
Atossa and chorus express grief and queen leaves to make offering to dead
First ode
chorus explains how women will mourn the deaths and hear that the people are now blaming Xerxes for the loss of men
they claim the Persians were wrong to put their faith in their ships and then describe dead bodies floating
Xerxes empire will now fall and the people will no longer pay tribute and will not fear to speak openly
Second episode
Atossa considers good and bad fortune
she describes her elaborate offerings and then explains her plan to summon the shade of Darius
Second ode
Chorus call upon Darius as their beloved king
they praise him as a good king who never led the Persians to a calamitous defeat in war
Third episode
ghost of Darius appears and asks them why there is such mourning and why he has been summoned
chorus cannot address him directly out of fear and respect
Darius asks Atossa to speak instead of them
Atossa explains that Xerxes has campaigned against Greece and been defeated
Darius is dismayed by Xerxes’ rashness in invading Greece by land and sea and also says that Xerxes was tricked y a god into crossing the Bosporus
Atossa explains that the whole army has been destroyed but that Xerxes escaped safely
Third episode (Darius)
Darius says that oracles have been fulfilled and that Xerxes should not have built his bridge of boats across the Hellespont, turning sea into land
Atossa claims Xerxes was talked into this by bad advice
Darius lists all previous Persian kings and their successes and blames Xerxes’ youthful impetuosity for his defeat
He advises Chorus that Persians should never again attack Greece - the land cannot support a large army
he says it is a mistake those Persians have been left behind in Greece and those who have been left behind will be punished on plains of Platae by the Dorians for desecrating the temples of Greece - Xerxes shoud not have wanted more and Zeus punishes such arrogance
Third episode (Atossa and chorus)
Atossa prepares for Xerxes’ return by getting more clothes for him
Chorus express concern that future disasters still await Persians in Greece
Third Ode
chorus talk about what a good and successful ruler Darius was
they list the territories he conquered including Ionia and Aegean islands
Exodos
Xerxes enters, grieving for his fate
the chorus mourn the men whom Xerxes has lost
Chorus make Xerxes repeat how the admirals have died
Chorus and Xerxes exhange sorrowful thoughts on Persian defeat
