Athens and Sparta Adventures: Chapter 3: Xerxes’ Revenge Pt. 1
Originally posted October 29, 2011
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Quick Ref:
Drachma: The currency of Ancient Greece- each state could mint their own types. A coin representing 1/6th of a drachma was called an obol. The drachma was the name of modern Greek coinage as well, up until it was replaced with the Euro in 2001.
The Battle of Artemisium: Apparently I did not really tie this up well in this comic- essentially, the Athenians, vastly outnumbered and scared out of their wits, were able to draw their ships into a tight circle and together quickly ram the slower and larger Persian ships. This was the first day- [spoilers] by the third, both sides had suffered equal losses and Themistocles decided to host a huge barbecue of the Euboean sheep so the Persians couldn’t get them. Receiving word of the outcome of Thermopylae, the Athenians finally withdrew.
Comments:
My speech bubbles continue to be atrocious.
Original Description:
I'm posting this one really early today since I'm going to a Hetalia Day function (without a cosplay so sad) and don't know when I'll be back. XD; Tomorrow's will hopefully be posted on time but I can't guarantee anything, haha.
Oh, and I've already started drawing Chapter 4! Whoooa! Can you guess who's on the chapter cover...?
YES Themistocles was kind of a bully. He threatened a lot of the people who were considering leaving, and he knew who had taken bribes and who hadn't and was very good at blackmailing people. XD
And he got a huge stash of money from the Euboeans after threatening to take his fleet back to Athens.
Also
Angggggst
and no colour on this page again sorrryyyy
Athens and Sparta Adventures: Chapter 3: Xerxes’ Revenge Pt. 1
Originally posted October 21, 2011
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Quick Ref:
Hellespont: A super narrow stretch of water between Europe and Asia, and one of the narrowest straits in the world. Xerxes learned from Marathon that sailing directly to Greece would be a difficult and dangerous endeavour, and marching around the long way with a land army would be better off in the long run. He was also said to give the sea lashes with a whip and throwing an ox yoke in, but whether this was just Greek bias is hard to tell. (Hdt. 7.35)
Xerxes’ Pontoon Bridges: It’s totally probable and accepted that Xerxes built this incredible feat of engineering by lining boats up one after the other between Europe and Asia so his army could cross, but the rest is probably Herodotian fluff. Maybe.
Comments:
are those supposed to be boats??
Original Description:
Obligatory page-without-coloured-panels! > The point was to avoid having to colour historical figures because I'm lazy and it's hard and I'm already taking enough artistic license as it is. And Xerxes is on every panel fjeslogjesi.
Totally Irrelevant Fun Fact:
Did you know?
Between the ages of about 5 and 13 Hapo had a cat named Xerxes. He was named this specifically so we could call him the King of Purrrrrsia. >:3
As I've mentioned a billion times, my current cat's name is Ptolemy. >3> Although we should have named him Leonidas or something because he is the cat-ification of Sparta. XD He's got the battle scars, the constantly paranoid and grim expression, and he never speaks or does anything unless he absolutely has to. XD And he doesn't respond well to hugs. ;;
Xerkie on the other hand was very cuddly (and really fat) and would keep my feet warm in the winter without getting offended every time I moved my feet... *sigh* He also liked playing fetch and did not have the temperament the Greeks said Xerxes I of Persia had. NICE SEGUE HAPO *high fives self*
I can't really verify whether Xerxes actually did this or if it was just the Greeks making stuff up about the violence of the Persians, but that's what's great about history!
I think you kind of have to take it with a grain of salt or two... maybe this was exaggeration on the part of the Greeks, but it's not like the Persians were totally angelic either, keep in mind. You can't demonize one side and glorify the other, really. I'm gonna keep hammering this point in because it's really important to understand history without getting all jesigeshjge that's so racist/insensitive/offensive. >:I First of all I would rant at you about the anthropological and sociological definitions of racism and then get sidetracked by all sorts of misused words and then start musing to myself about linguistics and how amazing communication is and how everything is so wishy washy and ambiguous and would wander off without really proving anything.
Maybe I should switch my major to philosophy. XD
Oh, there's a really good Greek joke about Xerxes. If you stalk Athens on formspring you've probably already heard it, but I think I might save it for a comic or something in the future. XD
OH and I also wanted to mention how much fun I have drawing super chibi kawaii Xerxes. I've done it once before.
Enjoy!
