Semiramis’ Legacy

The chapter starts with a discussion on the historical characters that may have contributed to Diodorus’ imaginary picture of Semiramis. The chapter also make clear that Diodorus combined different elements -or story-lines- in his account. First, the idea of ‘Continuity of empire’, sc. that there was a logical succession of the various empires discussed. Second, and related to the first, the concept of the need of ‘world domination’, if not in fact than at least in claim, present in the empires and houses of (almost) all rulers discussed. Third, Diodorus’ Stoic beliefs, in the Historical Library notably focusing on aretê, commonly translated as ‘virtue’, and, as regards Persian history, on truphē, best translated as ‘luxuriousness’. These qualities, or the lack thereof, can -and in Diodorus’ view did- make or break an empire.