How does Anna Comnena use imagery in The Alexiad of Anna Comnena?

Examples of Imagery:

"Time in its irresistible and ceaseless flow carries along on its flood all created things, and drowns them in the depths of obscurity, no matter if they be quite unworthy of mention, or most noteworthy and important, and thus, as the tragedian says, 'he brings from the darkness all things to the birth, and all things born envelops in the night'." (1)

"But when ... I touched it again and I recognized that all his strength was giving way and that the pulse in the arteries had finally stopped, then I bowed my head and, exhausted and fainting I looked down to the ground, said nothing, but clasped my hands over my face and stepped back and wept. The Empress understood what that meant and in absolute despair uttered a sudden loud, far-reaching shriek. How could I possibly picture the disaster which overtook the whole world?" (426)