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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Over the course of history it has become evident that my client, Xerxes, has been wrongfully ridiculed to the extent that we are here today, arguing his sanity. Xerxes' building program is a prime example of his mental stability and the vision he had for developing the Persian empire.
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through this vision, the mount Athos canal, the bridges at Hellespont and over the River Strymon were built and finally his greatest achievement- the work was skillfully conducted on Persepolis. One must think to them self- Are these the deeds of an insane person?
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I would suggest not and so then It becomes clear that these allegations are false and my client could not have be insane, as his many achievements, like his building program testify.
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Xerxes' rule is marked by his determination to build marvellous buildings all over his empire- the most remarkable of these is Persepolis. Persepolis, being known for it's skilled architecture, virile reliefs and use brings forward the question, how can someone claimed to be insane, organise and facilitate such grand constructions?
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How could my client possibly have lost his sanity when he planned and erected such amazing architectural designs. Both modern and ancient sources argue this, many believing the absolute prejudice in sources. An inscription located at Persepolis states
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states "I am Xerxes, the great king...I build many beautiful things... By the power of Ahura-Mazda". Modern historian Olmstead state that this and many other similar inscriptions at Persepolis describe Xerxes as a legitimate ruler, being just to all, able to control his temper and being devoted to his father and Ahura-Mazda
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However,through Russell Grangers research it becomes clear that Greek sources such as Aeschylus have perpetuated their own character of Xerxes presenting him as a weak and incapable king. Xerxes' additions to Persepolis of the harem, apadana, his palace with the great hall, a central building and finally the hall of one hundred columns are just some of the many changes he added to Persepolis
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It is clear that yes, he was not as skilful in war and but through just Persepolis alone it shows his creativeness, architectural and skilful mind in showing the wealth, peace and stability of his empire. Does the failure of conquering Greece make him insane? When one thinks of his building program, you must think of Xerxes' fully stable place of mind that he would have had to have present.
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The project of the mount Athos canal though inefficiently carried out showed great practical value- highlighting the great vision and plan he had for the invasion of Greece. The canal had taken two years to build whilst showing great patience and precision, the ancient Greek writer
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, Plutarch shows that Xerxes tried to brand and flog the sea stating "great Athos high as heaven... Don't make huge intractable rocks interfere... Or else I will tear you to pieces and hurl you into the sea" Also that men were " driven by whips to excavate mount Athos and the men with faces mutilated when the bridge was destroyed".
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It becomes clear that with the Greek sources, Plutarch and Herodotus as prime examples, Green states that a caricature figurehead has been presented from plainly harsh and contemptuous Greek propaganda
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. This propaganda for example Aelian, states that "the famous king Xerxes was ridiculous if it is true that he despised the sea". But questionably, think something you have worked hard for, would you despise that one thing that brought it to an end, to failure, to make you restart your plans?
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As unlikely as it is for my client to have had these discerning qualities.. Does it make him insane to strive for his empire to succeed? Is it insane for a leader, a king, a person to strive and work hard for the good of the greatest empire?
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Through Xerxes skillful mindset, a bridge at Hellespont and over the River Strymon was built highlighting his thorough plan for the use and efficiency for battles, and also for the improvement of the empire. It is clear and wise to say that different interpretations and influences around you hinder a person’s view on someone.
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T Cyler Young states that “Xerxes’ apparent weakness, or was itself the result of his never having come to grips with the difficult task of ruling and controlling so vast an empire” But how could this be true? How could the extent of building and improving communications throughout the empire possibly conclude that he was weak?
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Grangers notes on the reliefs on the Apadana show that every nations peoples are the same height, including the Persians with only the king being higher than the rest. This highlighting the fact that Xerxes kept the empire at peace, with the nations obeying the king’s word, the reliefs indicate trust within the empire
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Herodotus discusses the Hellespont and river Strymon works, about how Xerxes believed the Hellespont should be bridged by a Persian, a fleet holding thousands of laborers was established, as shifts were made in order to complete the work. Through Cook we learn that Xerxes had incorporated the abilities of certain parts of the empire to help and efficiently build the bridges.
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The Egyptians and Phoenicians mainly built the bridges by weaving cables of white flax. These bridges, being damaged by a storm had to be fixed with Papyrus. Xerxes’ remarkable work on building the bridges at Hellespont and over the River Strymon shows the extensive planning and preparation he put over the four year period for the Battle of Greece
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although he did not win and conquer Greece it does not take away from the fact that his state of mind must has have been properly sane to conduct such careful constructions over this amount of years.
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In summary, it has become apparent that although many sources- both Ancient and modern have deliberated over this case, many concluding that my client has in fact, lost his sanity. It has manifested itself that this could not have happened.
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Yes, there was poor judgements and unsuccessful attacks to invade Greece but the quality and quantity of his building structures have surely exceeded his predecessors glories by developing and improving the buildings and areas of communication throughout the empire.
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Persepolis being known for its virile reliefs and its architecture is due to the great and skilled mind Xerxes had and also, through the Bridges over the Hellespont and River Strymon, the mount Athos canal also-
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it is visibly obvious to state that he had not lost his sanity, his vision remained with improving the look and the economy of the empire rather than adding many additions to it through battles.
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