From the book covers: A fictionized biography by Louis Couperus, with decorations by Theodore Nadejen English translation "Persians! I wish to do new thing, nor yet aught which might offend the gods. I wish only to achieve world dominion!" One of the great Dutch writer's most striking books. Couperus liked to depict the power and the decadence of the ancient world. In this splendid panorama of a super-ambitious warrior, he describes battle and court-room with splashing color. Xerxes swings to ruin amid pomp and vain glory. His battles spread before the reader in flashing pictures: Euboea, Thermopylae, Salmis, Plataea. "I am the son of Darius, and I count Hystapes, Arsames, Cyrus, Cambyses and Achaemenes among my ancestors. I will be no lesser man than they. Nor do I strive for more or less than world empire. I want war. I have decided upon war!"