Rulers and nobles
Xerxes
Persian king recalled by Dante as a historical example: he crossed the Hellespont with a bridge of ships to invade Greece, but was defeated and barely escaped with his life.
Profile
Xerxes is mentioned by Dante in two places in the poem. In Purgatorio XXVIII, v. 71, the poet cites the Hellespont, 'where Xerxes crossed,' referring to the Persian king who crossed the strait of the Hellespont with a bridge of ships to subjugate Greece; the enterprise ended in defeat, and during the retreat the fleeing army caused the bridge to collapse, while Xerxes barely saved himself on a fisherman's boat. His wretched fate is presented as a warning to human arrogance. In Paradiso VIII, v. 124, Xerxes appears as an example of the natural differentiation of men alongside Solon, in the reasoning of Charlemagne aimed at showing how social life requires a diversity of aptitudes and gifts.
In the text
Linked verses
2 verses| Cantica | Canto | Verso | Testo | Open verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purgatory | Canto XXVIII | 71 | ma Elesponto, là ’ve passò Serse, | Open verse |
| Paradise | Canto VIII | 124 | per ch’un nasce Solone e altro Serse, | Open verse |