Description:
(King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire from 486 BC to 465 BC)
Xerxes I (Xerxes the Great) was the fourth and probably the most famous king of the Archaemenid dynasty of Persia. He inherited the throne from his father Darius I and attained Kinghood without proving himself worthy of it. Xerxes became one of the most widely known rulers in those times due to his keen eye for architecture and some great monuments he built, but he lost war with Greece in 480 BCE, which harmed his credibility as a strong ruler. To fight the Greek forces, he formed some allies and assembled a powerful force, which was considered unbeatable. It was the strongest known force to humans until that time. When his father handed over the throne to him, several nearby states such as Egypt and Babylon were in revolt, but Xerxes managed to crush them. But against the Greek forces, his preparations fell short and in the 480 BCE, he faced defeat. Xerxes later captured the northern Greece for some time, only to lose it again a year later in the battles of Salamis and Plataea.
Alternative names
Xerxes the Great
Died on
July 31, 0
Spouse/Ex-
Amestris
Parents
Darius I
Atossa
Relatives
Achaemenes, Ariabignes, Ariomardos, Arsamenes, Arsames, Artobarzanes, Gobryas, Hyperantes, Hystaspes, Masistes
What was the significance of Xerxes I invading Greece?
Xerxes I invaded Greece in 480 BC in an attempt to expand the Persian Empire and assert dominance over the Greek city-states.
What were some key events during Xerxes I's reign as the Persian king?
During Xerxes I's reign, he completed massive construction projects, such as the construction of Persepolis, and led military campaigns, including the invasion of Greece.
How did Xerxes I's rule impact the Persian Empire?
Xerxes I's rule saw the expansion of the Persian Empire to its greatest territorial extent, but his reign also faced challenges like the failed invasion of Greece and internal rebellions.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae involving Xerxes I?
The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC resulted in a Persian victory over the Greek forces, allowing Xerxes I's army to advance further into Greece.
How did Xerxes I's reign influence Persian art and culture?
Xerxes I's reign marked a period of significant artistic and architectural achievements in Persia, with the construction of grand structures like Persepolis showcasing the empire's wealth and power.
