What exactly is this tribute?
"From Sardis Xerxes sent heralds to all to all the Greek states, except Athens and Sparta, demanding the signs of submission earth and water." - The Ancient Greeks a Critical History, Fine
In every depiction of asking for the tribute Fine just says Earth and Water but never describes what exactly this was.
Can someone explain it to me?
The Ancient Greek Historian Herodotus is the first to mention the tribute of earth and water from Hellenistic states to King Darius I of Persia. This is interpreted as they give their native earth and water, they recognize that ALL of their native earth and water, And everything which comes from it, is now under the authority of the Persian Empire. Also in Zoroastrianism earth and water are symbols of serfdom and servitude.
^J. ^M. ^Balcer, ^"The ^Persian ^Wars ^Against ^Greece: ^A ^Reassessment", ^Historia;; ^38 ^(1989) ^p. ^130