Xerxes: A Persian King Who Ruled Over a Vast Empire

Xerxes was the fifth king of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 486 to 465 BC. He was the son of Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. Xerxes is best known for his invasion of Greece in 480 BC, which was ultimately defeated by the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis.

Early Life and Reign

Xerxes was born in 519 BC in Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. He was the eldest son of Darius I and Atossa, and he inherited the throne upon his father's death in 486 BC. Xerxes was a young and ambitious king, and he quickly set out to expand the empire's bFree Downloads.

Xerxes Makers of History

by Jacob Abbott

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Language	:	English
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In 485 BC, Xerxes launched a campaign against Egypt, which had revolted against Persian rule. He successfully reconquered Egypt and installed a new satrap (governor) to rule the province.

Invasion of Greece

In 480 BC, Xerxes launched a massive invasion of Greece. He assembled an army of over 200,000 men, the largest army ever assembled in the ancient world. Xerxes' army crossed the Hellespont and marched through Thrace and Macedonia, eventually reaching Greece.

The Greeks were vastly outnumbered, but they were determined to defend their homeland. They formed an alliance of city-states and prepared to meet the Persian army.

The first major battle of the invasion was the Battle of Thermopylae. A small force of Greek hoplites led by King Leonidas I of Sparta held off the Persian army for three days. However, the Persians eventually found a way to bypass the Greek defenses and the Greeks were forced to retreat.

The Persian army then marched on Athens, which was evacuated by its citizens. The Persians sacked and burned the city, but the Greek navy defeated the Persian fleet at the Battle of Salamis.

The defeat at Salamis forced Xerxes to withdraw from Greece. He left a small force behind to continue the war, but the Greeks eventually defeated the Persians and drove them out of Greece.

Later Reign

After his defeat in Greece, Xerxes returned to Persia. He spent the rest of his reign trying to rebuild his empire and restore his reputation. He also launched a number of building projects, including the completion of the Persepolis palace complex.

Xerxes was assassinated in 465 BC by Artabanus, the captain of his guard. He was succeeded by his son, Artaxerxes I.

Legacy

Xerxes is one of the most famous kings in Persian history. He is remembered for his ambitious invasion of Greece and his role in the development of the Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes was a powerful and ruthless ruler, but he was also a cultured and intelligent man. He was a patron of the arts and sciences, and he helped to make Persia one of the most advanced civilizations in the ancient world.

Xerxes Makers of History

by Jacob Abbott

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	291 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	104 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE