Xerxes I

Lore & Background

Xerxes was born around 518 BC to Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great. He was made successor by Darius over his elder brother Artobarzan, and inherited the throne in 486 BC. He consolidated power by crushing revolts in Egypt (484 BC) and Babylon (484 and 482 BC). In 480 BC, he led a large army across the Hellespont into Europe, achieving victories at Thermopylae and Artemisium, capturing and razing Athens. His forces controlled mainland Greece north of the Isthmus of Corinth until their defeat at the Battle of Salamis. Fearing entrapment, Xerxes retreated with most of his army to Asia, leaving Mardonius, who was defeated at Plataea the following year, ending the Persian invasion.

After returning to Persia, Xerxes dedicated himself to large construction projects, completing the Gate of All Nations, the Apadana, and the Tachara at Persepolis, and continuing the Palace of Darius at Susa. He also maintained the Royal Road built by his father. In 465 BC, Xerxes and his heir Darius were assassinated by Artabanus, commander of the royal bodyguard. He was succeeded by his third son, Artaxerxes I.

Reader's Guide

Xerxes I is significant as the Achaemenid king who led the massive second Persian invasion of Greece, a pivotal event in Western history. His campaigns, though ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated the vast resources and organizational capacity of the Persian Empire. His victories at Thermopylae and the sack of Athens were overshadowed by the naval defeat at Salamis and the subsequent land defeat at Plataea, which ended Persian ambitions in mainland Greece. Beyond warfare, Xerxes was a builder who completed major architectural projects at Persepolis and Susa, many begun by his father. His reign also saw the suppression of revolts in Egypt and Babylon, after which he divided the Babylonian satrapy and dropped the title 'King of Babylon.' His assassination in 465 BC by his own bodyguard commander highlights the internal instability that could affect even the most powerful rulers. Xerxes's legacy is thus a mix of grand ambition, military failure, and significant administrative and architectural achievement.

Did You Know?

• Xerxes's name derives from Old Iranian Xšaya-ṛšā, meaning 'ruling over heroes.'
• He was the son of Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great.
• After revolts in Babylon, Xerxes dropped the title 'King of Babylon' from his titulature.
• Xerxes and his heir Darius were assassinated by Artabanus, the commander of the royal bodyguard.