The Persians

A messenger, who was present at the scene, brings word that the Persian army has been destroyed. Xerxes survived the battle, but most of the great Persian warriors are dead, their bodies floating on the waves or lying on the shore. The Greek fleet of 300 ships defeated the Persian 1000-ship navy because Xerxes was deceived by a Greek saboteur into believing that the seemingly retreating Greeks were fleeing Persia’s superior numbers. Instead, the Greek fleet was executing a pincer maneuver, surrounding the Persian armada at dawn and devastating the massed ships. The Greeks then slaughtered the Persian forces in an unimaginable massacre: “you can be sure that never have so vast a number of human beings perished in a single day” (Lines 433-34). Shortly after, the overland force Xerxes sent ahead was routed as well. Xerxes, watching from a cliff, tore his robes and shrieked at the sight of his defeat. The remaining Persian forces fled. The messenger, finished with his tale, exits.

Atossa and the chorus are dismayed. Atossa blames the counselors for misinterpreting her dream, but she still decides to follow their advice to pray to the gods and the shade of Darius.