Xerxes I
Fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, invader of Greece.
Xerxes I, born around 518 BC, was the son of Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. His upbringing likely followed the traditional education of Persian princes, which began with eunuchs and, from age seven, included riding and hunting. From age fourteen, four aristocratic teachers instructed him in wisdom, justice, prudence, and bravery, alongside the basics of Zoroastrianism, emphasizing truthfulness, courage, and self-restraint. At sixteen or seventeen, he began a decade of national service involving archery, javelin, and hunting competitions, followed by about twenty-five years of military service before becoming an elder and adviser. He resided in the royal palace of Babylon from 498 BC. When Darius prepared for a dangerous Egyptian campaign in 486 BC, he chose Xerxes as his successor over his elder half-brother Artobazan, partly because Xerxes was the first son born after Darius became king—"born in the purple"—and because his mother was Cyrus’s daughter, giving him a prestigious lineage. Artobazan argued he was the eldest of all Darius’s children, but Xerxes’s claim was supported by the exiled Spartan king Demaratus, who cited Spartan law favoring the first son born while the father reigned. Xerxes was crowned around October–December 486 BC at about age thirty-two, inheriting a vast, multi-ethnic empire. He quickly consolidated power by crushing revolts in Egypt and Babylon. In 480 BC, he launched a massive invasion of Greece, crossing the Hellespont into Europe. He won victories at Thermopylae and Artemisium, captured and burned Athens, and controlled mainland Greece north of the Isthmus of Corinth until his fleet was defeated at Salamis. Fearing entrapment, he retreated to Asia with most of his army, leaving Mardonius to continue the campaign, which ended in defeat at Plataea the following year. Back in Persia, Xerxes focused on grand construction, completing the Gate of All Nations, the Apadana, and the Tachara at Persepolis, and continuing the Palace of Darius at Susa, while maintaining the Royal Road. In 465 BC, he and his heir Darius were assassinated by Artabanus, commander of the royal bodyguard, and his third son succeeded him as Artaxerxes I.
- born
- c. 518 BC
- died
- 465 BC
- field
- Monarchy, military command, construction
- nationality
- Persian (Achaemenid Empire)
- known_for
- Invasion of Greece (480 BC), suppression of revolts in Egypt and Babylon, completion of major construction projects at Persepolis and Susa
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.
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