Outline

How would have things been different if the persians had won the persian wars

1. If the Persians had won the Persian War, they would have erased all the history and great works written by such people as Herodotus, Aristotle, and Xenophon.

2. "What need have I to tell you of the deeds of Cyrus and Cambyses, and my own father Darius, how many nations they conquered, and added to our dominions? Ye know right well what great things they achieved. But for myself, I will say that, from the day on which I mounted the throne, I have not ceased to consider by what means I may rival those who have preceded me in this post of honour, and increase the power of Persia as much as any of them. And truly I have pondered upon this, until at last I have found out a way whereby we may at once win glory, and likewise get possession of a land which is as large and as rich as our own nay, which is even more varied in the fruits it bears- while at the same time we obtain satisfaction and revenge. For this cause I have now called you together, that I may make known to you what I design to do"
1. In this speech, Xerces, the leader of the Persian army, talks to his soldiers about the glory and honor that would come from conquering Greece. He says that he needs to follow in the foot steps of past kings by making Greece part of the Persian empire. Having said this, it is clear that Xerces had no intentions of saving anything previous written or owned by the Greeks.

3. "So Xerxes, thus instructed, proceeded on his way with great gladness of heart."
1. Here, Herodotus is talking about the joy Xerces will have conquering Greece. This could have led to a brighter Greek history.