King Xerxes I

King Xerxes I
Old Persia
King
c. 519 BC – 465 BC

Background
       King Xerxes I was the son of King Darius I of Persia. Selected heir over his older brother, Artabazanes, Xerxes learned to govern Babylonia for twelve years prior to being appointed the throne following his father’s death. After being appointed to the throne, Xerxes quelled revolts in Babylon and Egypt for Persia. Previously, Egypt and Babylonia had been recognized as their own independent kingdoms, but following the revolts, Xerxes declared himself “King of Persia and the Medes,” the Medes of course being the Mediterranean.

Peloponnesian War Contribution
       King Darius I’s invasion of Greece was met with harsh resistance and was ultimately a failure for Persia and a humiliation. Having known of this event and loathing it, King Xerxes I returned to Greece with a massive Persian army, kicking off the Greco-Persian War. Ultimately, his goal to conquer Greece would fail and allow Athens to grow to become a superpower alongside Sparta.