Dominic Sandbrook

So Alfred and his heirs, they marry idealism and pragmatism.

They're brilliant at alliances.

They're brilliant at managing power.

They're brilliant, of course, at managing their money, which is a key part of political leadership.

And of course, we are all reaping the rewards of their wisdom and foresight.

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A report of the capture and torching of Sardis by the Athenians and Ionians was brought to King Darius.

It is said that the king's initial response to this news was to dismiss the Ionians as being of no account, since he knew full well that they had no prospect of escaping retribution for their insurgency.

but the Athenians he did ask after.

And on being told who they were, he asked for his bow, and when he had it, he fitted an arrow, which he then fired into the heavens.

And even as he sent it winging through the air, so he cried, Zeus, do not deny me the chance to punish the Athenians.

Having made this appeal, he ordered one of his servants to repeat to him three times whenever a meal was set before him, Master, remember the Athenians.

The year is 498 BC.

We are in Persia, in Iran, at the court of the Persian King of Kings.

And this is the ancient world's answer to that moment, which we've all seen, when George W. Bush is being told about 9-11, when he's reading to those schoolchildren.

It's the moment when the most powerful man on the earth hears about a devastating attack

that seems to have come absolutely out of nowhere by a group of people whom he regards as terrorists.

And Tom, this is from the ancient historian Herodotus, isn't it?