- Here is a poem of my favorite, though it's not quite
Thermopylae.
The Persian Version
Graves, Robert (1895-1985)
Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon
The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.
As for the Greek theatrical tradition
Which represents that summer's expedition
Not as a mere reconnaissance in force
By three brigades of foot and one of horse
(Their left flank covered by some obsolete
Light craft detached from the main Persian fleet)
But as a grandiose, ill-starred attempt
To conquer Greece--they treat it with contempt;
And only incidentally refute
Major Greek claims, by stressing what repute
The Persian monarch and Persian nation
Won by this salutary demonstration:
Despite a strong defence and adverse weather
All arms combined mangificently together.
西方人喜欢夸大或简单化历史，比如斯巴达人与波斯人勾结，毁了雅
典城，雅典的瘟疫，就不说了。
波斯大王居鲁士在西方哲人中一直口碑不错。薛西斯也不错。
xw