Which Is a Better Source of Reliable Information Concerning Salamis В– Herodotus’ Histories or Aeschylus’ the Persians

Both "The Persians" and "The Histories" contain information regarding the battle of Salamis. "The Persians" is set in the period between the battle of Salamis and the deciding battle of Platea, and although a work of fiction, it has many valuable and useful bits of information.

Firstly, it was written earlier than The Histories, by someone who had been in the battle itself. Therefore, most of the information would be accurate to Aeschylus. However, when in the heat of battle, no-one knows exactly what is happening in other area's, only what is happening in front of them. As such, a lot of what is considered facts in Aeschylus is more likely to be hearsay and rumours, although it may also be accurate. Also, it was written before Herodotus, so it is likely to be more accurate.

Herodotus is also very biased against Xerxes and everything he did, and is more likely to include