Persian King. Born: 519 BC, Died: 465 BC. Xerxes, son of Darius, claimed to be the overlord of all civilized peoples that were known by him. Only Athens, Sparta and their allies disputed this. Xerxes, of course, was determined to punish them. In the spring of 480 he gathered the greatest army the world had seen. Historical legend says it was made up of 5 million men, but it was likely actually around 360,000. Previously, Xerxes had crushed rebellions in Egypt, deprived Babylon of its independence. At times, Xerxes appeared to have been insane, but once, when the Spartans delievered to him two prominent citizens to make up for a previous offense, Xerxes let the men go. Upon arrival in Greece, Xerxes' army sacked Athens, and the Persian fleet challenged the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis. Xerxes seated himself at the edge of a cliff, for what he was certain would be his victory. But the Persians were destroyed, and a terrified Xerxes thought the Greeks would destroy a bridge he had built over the Hellenspont and leave him stranded in Europe. He fled back to Persia with most of his army, leaving mardonius and his army to carry on the war. Mardonius was killed and defeated at Plataea. After this, Xerxes seemed to lose interest in Persia, and allowed his harem to run the empire. Xerxes was murdered by his counselor, Artabanus, in 465.
Persian King. Born: 519 BC, Died: 465 BC. Xerxes, son of Darius, claimed to be the overlord of all civilized peoples that were known by him. Only Athens, Sparta and their allies disputed this. Xerxes, of course, was determined to punish them. In the spring of 480 he gathered the greatest army the world had seen. Historical legend says it was made up of 5 million men, but it was likely actually around 360,000. Previously, Xerxes had crushed rebellions in Egypt, deprived Babylon of its independence. At times, Xerxes appeared to have been insane, but once, when the Spartans delievered to him two prominent citizens to make up for a previous offense, Xerxes let the men go. Upon arrival in Greece, Xerxes' army sacked Athens, and the Persian fleet challenged the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis. Xerxes seated himself at the edge of a cliff, for what he was certain would be his victory. But the Persians were destroyed, and a terrified Xerxes thought the Greeks would destroy a bridge he had built over the Hellenspont and leave him stranded in Europe. He fled back to Persia with most of his army, leaving mardonius and his army to carry on the war. Mardonius was killed and defeated at Plataea. After this, Xerxes seemed to lose interest in Persia, and allowed his harem to run the empire. Xerxes was murdered by his counselor, Artabanus, in 465.
Bio by: Mongoose
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