Xerxes I Persian king, reigned from 486 to 465 BC. Date of Birth: . Country: Operator

1. Xerxes I: The Reign of a Mediocre King
2. Accession to the Throne
3. Subjugation of Egypt
4. Rebellion in Babylon
5. Destruction of Babylon
6. Persian Invasion of Greece
7. Legacy

Xerxes I: The Reign of a Mediocre King

Xerxes I, born in 519 BCE, was the fifth king of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 486 to 465 BCE.

Accession to the Throne

Xerxes inherited the throne at the age of 36 upon the death of his father, Darius I. Despite his age, Xerxes was known for his lack of intelligence, meekness, and susceptibility to influence. However, he was also self-assured and vain.

Subjugation of Egypt

In 484 BCE, Xerxes suppressed a rebellion in Egypt that had begun during his father's reign. He ordered a ruthless crackdown, confiscating the property of many temples. His brother Achaemenes was appointed satrap of Egypt, and Xerxes imposed even greater oppression than before.

Rebellion in Babylon

Xerxes faced further unrest in Babylon, which revolted multiple times during his reign. The first rebellion, led by Bel-shimanni, was crushed in 484 BCE. However, another revolt, under Shamas-eriba, erupted in 482 BCE. Led by Xerxes' son-in-law Megabyzus, the siege of Babylon lasted for months and resulted in severe reprisals.

Destruction of Babylon

After the Babylonian rebellion was suppressed, Xerxes embarked on a series of measures to neutralize the city. He destroyed the city's fortifications, diverted the Euphrates River, and executed a number of priests. The main temple, Esagila, was damaged, and the golden statue of the god Marduk was looted and transported to Persepolis. This marked the end of Babylon's status as a kingdom, and it became a mere satrapy of the Persian Empire.

Persian Invasion of Greece

Xerxes' most infamous act was the invasion of Greece, motivated by a desire for revenge and glory. In 480 BCE, he amassed an enormous army and navy and crossed the Hellespont. Despite initial victories, the invasion culminated in the disastrous defeats at Salamis and Plataea, effectively ending Xerxes' ambition to conquer Greece.

Legacy

Xerxes' reign is remembered for its failures and brutality. He alienated his subjects, weakened the empire, and left a stain on the Achaemenid legacy. Despite his ambitious plans, he is primarily remembered as a mediocre king who overreached his abilities and led his empire to the brink of collapse.