The play has, therefore, the interest of being strictly a contemporary narrative of the battle of Salamis and its immediate consequences, by one who may himself have been present at it, and whose brother Ameinias (Herod, viii. 93) distinguished himself in it by a special act of heroism. As such, making all allowance for the influence of dramatic exigencies, and the tendency to colour history so as to meet the tastes of patriotic Athenians, it may claim, where it differs from the story told by Herodotos, to be a more trustworthy record. And it has, we must remember, the interest of being the only extant drama of its class, the only tragedy the subject of which is not taken from the cycle of heroic myths, but from the national history of the time. Far below the Oresteian Trilogy as it may seem to us as a work of art, having more the character of a spectacle than a poem, it was, we may well believe, unusually successful at the time, and it is said to have been chosen by Hiero for reproduction in Syracuse after Æschylos had settled there under his patronage. THE PERSIANS SCENE.—SUSA, _in front of the palace of_ XERXES, _the tomb of_ DAREIOS _occupying the position of the thymele_ _Enter Chorus of_ Persian Elders. We the title bear of Faithful,[3] Friends of Persians gone to Hellas, Watchers left of treasure city,[4] Gold-abounding, whom, as oldest, Xerxes hath himself appointed, He, the offspring of Dareios, As the warders of his country. And about our king's returning, And our army's, gold-abounding, Over-much, and boding evil, 10 Does my mind within me shudder (For our whole force, Asia's offspring, Now is gone), and for our young chief Sorely frets: nor courier cometh, Nor any horseman, bringing tidings To the city of the Persians. From Ecbatana departing, Susa, or the Kissian fortress,[5] Forth they sped upon their journey, Some in ships, and some on horses, Some on foot, still onward marching, In their close array presenting Squadrons duly armed for battle: 20 Then Armistres, Artaphernes, Megabazes, and Astaspes, Mighty leaders of the Persians, Kings, and of the great King servants,[6] March, the chiefs of mighty army. Archers they and mounted horsemen. Dread to look on, fierce in battle, Artembares proud, on horseback, And Masistres, and Imæos, 30 Archer famed, and Pharandakes, And the charioteer Sosthanes. Neilos mighty and prolific Sent forth others, Susikanes, Pegastagon, Egypt's offspring, And the chief of sacred Memphis; Great Arsames, Ariomardos, Ruler of primeval Thebæ, And the marsh-men,[7] and the rowers, Dread, and in their number countless. 40 And there follow crowds of Lydians, Very delicate and stately,[8]