on him. Artabanus tells us of these troubles when he says “For there are calamities that meet him and diseases that derange him, so that they make this life…seem long (Artabanus 7.46).” Even though people may agree with Xerxes actions that death should be pitied but Herodotus does show that life brings tragedy to man and that death may act as an escape from these tragedies.We are able to see the way proper behavior should be displayed when one has been dishonored according to Herodotus. In book seven Gelon, despot of Syracuse, is requested for assistants to battle Persia by Athens. Gelon is furious with this request because Athens dishonored him by refusing to help in the past. Gelon strongly tells Athens “When I begged you to bear a hand with me in the fight against a barbarian enemy…when I kept urging you to avenge the murder of Dorieus…you did not come help, either for my sake or to avenge the murder of Dorieus (Gelon 7.158).” Many people would not question Gelon for not helping the Athenians against the Persian invasion since they have been dishonored and now are a providence of Persia but he does offer the Athenians help. Herodotus uses Gelon to show how one should turn the other cheek when Gelon says “But though I have met dishonor from you, I will not be like you (Gelon 7.158)” and he offers ships and soldiers to the Athenians. Herodotus shows that one should fight in battle under any circumstance in different instances throughout book seven. As Xerxes marches towards Greece he and his army are provided food, shelter, and money by Pythius. All that Pythius asks for in return for his “generosity” is that is eldest son does not go to war with Persia and stays to care for him. Xerxes is enrages with this request because not fighting is not acceptable by anyone not even to the king himself. Xerxes says “Vile creature, I am myself marching to Greece, a...
