Xerxes / Makers of History

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25351

Title

Xerxes / Makers of History

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jacob Abbott's historical narrative explores the rise and fall of the Persian Empire through the lens of King Xerxes. Blending factual history with moral instruction, the text examines the ambitions of great conquerors, the rivalry between Athens and Sparta, and the tragic consequences of war, offering a timeless lesson on power, virtue, and human nature.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Xerxes*, Jacob Abbott chronicles the reign of the Persian monarch Xerxes, exploring the complex interplay between individual ambition and the broader forces of history. Abbott begins by tracing Xerxes' lineage to his mother, Atossa, and his predecessor Cambyses, whose reckless cruelty set a dark tone for the dynasty. Abbott posits a central thesis: while conquerors are often remembered for their destruction, their true legacy lies in the social organization and order they inadvertently established to maintain power. Great sovereigns, driven by selfish ambition, were compelled to create systems of justice, roads, and commerce to support their armies and collect revenues, thereby preserving peace and order. The narrative shifts to the geopolitical tension between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states, specifically contrasting the stern, agricultural Spartans with the intellectual, wealthy Athenians. This rivalry culminates in the Persian invasion. Abbott details the Greeks' defiant response, including the Spartans throwing Persian ambassadors into a well and the Athenians sending a token of submission they refused to give. As Xerxes prepares for war, the text describes the immense scale of his army and the strategic preparations on both sides. The invasion features the crossing of the Hellespont and the heroic stand of Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae. Following the Greek victory at Salamis, the Persian fleet is routed, and Xerxes is forced into a harrowing retreat marked by famine, disease, and the destruction of his bridge of boats. Upon returning to Susa, Xerxes abandons ambition for a life of dissipation and vice. The story concludes with a dramatic domestic tragedy: in a drunken rage, Xerxes orders the death of his son Darius. His captain of the guard, Artabanus, fearing for his own safety, murders the sleeping king and frames the younger son, Artaxerxes. Enraged, Artaxerxes kills his brother and ascends the throne. Throughout, Abbott uses these events to teach lessons about the motives of heroes, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the complex interplay of cause and consequence in history.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History