Unleashed Warriors
Xerxes, the ancient Persian ruler, has been subject to much scrutiny over the ages, particularly over the composition of his military forces. It has been alleged that his armies were comprised largely of individuals coerced into battle, serving a cause not their own—a notion as distressing as it is historically recurrent. Yet, such claims bear a substantial layer of historical irony.
Indeed, the very founder of the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great, Xerxes’ own forefather, took a pioneering stance against slavery, enacting its abolition across his dominions.
Xerxes himself continued this legacy, ensuring that every subject within his expansive realm was endowed with rights that could not be stripped away.
Adding to the historical paradox is the fact that the Spartan warriors, who famously clashed with Xerxes’ forces at the pivotal Battle of Thermopylae, actually included enslaved individuals within their own military ranks. This fact stands in stark contrast to the aforementioned criticisms of Persian military practices, casting a new light on the ancient narratives of freedom and servitude..