Xerxes I

The ancient city of Dara, established by the Eastern Roman Empire to protect its border against the Persians, has been rushed by tourists since the arrival of summer.

A submerged part of a building in Ambelakia Bay on the island of Salamina near Athens. An interdisciplinary group of experts is exploring the sea in Ambelakia Bay, the main port of ancient Salamis, where the Athenian fleet assembled the day before the famous Battle of Salamis, during which the swift Greek ships defeated the Persians under King Xerxes in 480 BC.

One of the oldest surviving works of ancient Greek drama, and the only one based on historical events, "The Persians," written by Aeschylus in 472 BC, chronicles the defeat of Persian arrogance and the triumph of the Greek spirit in the 480 BC Battle of Salamis.

Director Aris Binaris makes his Epidaurus debut in a Cyprus Theater Organization production of Aeschylus' tragedy "The Persians" at the ancient theater as part of the Greek Festival on Friday and Saturday, August 11-12. Music and sound are key elements in the director's take on the ancient play, laying emphasis on the dramatic high points.