Persians

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  Book 0

  The complete text of Persians. Xerxes' mother waits for news of the invasion of Greece. A messenger brings word of the catastrophe at Salamis.

  64 lines
• Parodos

  The chorus of Persian elders assembles at Susa, cataloguing the vast army Xerxes has led against Greece. They are anxious — no word has come back.

  93 lines
• First Episode

  Queen Atossa, Xerxes' mother, describes a disturbing dream: two women, one Greek and one Persian, yoked together, and the Persian one broke free and fell.

  97 lines
• First Stasimon

  The chorus reflects anxiously on the might of Persia and the dangerous ambition of Xerxes in bridging the Hellespont — an act that defied the gods.

  34 lines
• The Messenger

  A messenger arrives with catastrophic news: the fleet is destroyed at Salamis. He names the dead commanders one by one.

  16 lines
• The Battle Narrative

  The messenger describes the battle of Salamis in vivid detail — the Greek war-cry, the trapped Persian ships, the slaughter in the narrows.

  50 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The chorus laments the destruction of Persian manhood and power. The empire's heart has been torn out.

  10 lines
• Atossa's Resolve

  Atossa decides to summon the ghost of Darius from his tomb. She brings offerings and performs the ritual of necromancy.

  45 lines
• Third Stasimon

  The chorus invokes the underworld powers and calls Darius's shade to rise. The ritual chanting builds to a climax.

  13 lines
• The Ghost of Darius

  Darius's ghost rises and hears the news. He pronounces it divine punishment for Xerxes' hubris — especially the bridging of the Hellespont and the destruction of Greek temples.

  9 lines
• Darius's Prophecy

  Darius prophesies the defeat at Plataea and warns that the earth itself has risen against Persian arrogance. He counsels his wife to comfort Xerxes.

  149 lines
• Fourth Stasimon

  The chorus mourns the golden age of Darius and the disasters brought by his son. The catalogue of the dead becomes a dirge for the empire.

  51 lines
• Xerxes' Return

  Xerxes arrives in torn robes, the wreckage of his army straggling behind him. The contrast with his departure could not be more absolute.

  24 lines
• The Kommos

  Xerxes and the chorus exchange a ritual lament, tearing their garments and beating their breasts. He displays his empty quiver — the army is gone.

  142 lines