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* Born: 519 B.C. * Birthplace: Persia * Died: 465 B.C. (assassination by stabbing) * Best Known As: The Persian king repulsed by the Greeks Xerxes I ruled from 485 - 465 B.C., presiding over ancient Persia's decline from mighty power to fading empire. His father Darius was defeated by the Greeks at the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.), and 10 years later Xerxes assembled a vast army to invade Greece and avenge his father's defeat. (The best-known reports on the invasion come from the historian http://www.answers.com/topic/herodotus.) Xerxes crossed the Hellespont (now called the Dardanelles) and methodically overran Greece. He won a costly victory at Thermopylae -- the famous battle which ended with 300 Spartan warriors defying the entire Persian army in a last battle to the death -- and finally reached Athens and sacked the deserted city. But the invasion ended in disaster when the Persian navy was routed by the Greek fleet at Salamis (480 B.C.). Xerxes retreated to his palace in Persepolis, leaving behind an occupying army which was defeated by the Greeks shortly thereafter. Persia remained a formidable nation but Xerxes withdrew from active life, devoting himself to what Herodotus called "the intrigues of the harem." 15 years later Xerxes was stabbed to death, probably by his subordinate Artabanus, and was succeeded by his son Artaxerxes. Xerxes is pronounced ZERK-seez... His life was the inspiration for http://www.answers.com/topic/george-frideric-handel's 1738 Opera Serse (or Xerxes)... One tale from Herodotus has become particularly famous: after a storm on the Hellespont delayed Xerxes from crossing into Greece, the vainglorious king ordered that the waters of the Hellespont be given 300 lashes and cursed as punishment... Xerxes' elite troops, said to number 10,000 in all, were known as the Immortals... Xerxes was also ruler of Egypt, the third ruler of that country's 27th dynasty.
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What was the impact of Xerxes on the Persian Empire and the Greek World?
When Xerxes I's father Darius I died, he took first suppressed a rebellion in Egypt, then took over his father's project of absorbing the Greek cities of mainland Greece into the Empire to stop them interfering in the Empire and disrupting peace. He bribed the Greek city-states to submit, and led an expedition to suppress those who would not submit. This invasion failed so he set about consolidating the Empire as it was. The Greek cities in Asia Minor were led by Athens to form the Delian League, and this was successful in keeping Persia at bay for the rest of Xerxes' lifetime.
What did people think of king Darius?
I am not sure what you are asking. If you mean "did people like him?", then the answer is some did and some didn't. If you mean who do they think he was and how did he come to the throne, then the answer is more interesting. Wikipedia gives a good account of Darius' rise to power. When Cambyses was busy in Egypt, Gaumata, a religious leader usurped the throne, claiming to be Cambyses' brother, Bardiya, whom he resembled. When Cambyses marched against the usurper, he died mysteriously. Darius claimed Cambyses was despondent and killed himself. Herodotus claimed he accidently stabbed himself and died of gangrene. This happened in 522 BC. Darius carried on, ousted the usurper and took the throne. However, in answer to the question of whether the people liked him, Darius spent the first year of his reign putting down rebellions. From a Western point of view, that of Judeo-Christianity, Darius was loved because in 519 BC he decreed the continuation of the reconstruction of the Jerusalem Temple, including financial support, according to Ezra chapter 6. Another Western point of view is that of classic Greece. Here he is not so well liked; he is remembered as the Persian king who attacked Athens and was defeated at Marathon in 490 BC. Darius is also the father of Xerxes whose 500,000 man army was held for three days at Thermopylae by 300 Spartans, giving the Athenians time to evacuate to Salamis.
Are Darius and 'Darius the Great' the same?
There is a Biblical Darius, "Darius the Mede", who assumes the throne of Belshazzar after Daniel deciphers the predictions of Belshazzar's demise. (Book of Daniel) * This is one source for the English idiom "reading the handwriting on the wall", which means seeing a future consequence. Three kings of Persia were named Darius, the first being "Darius the Great" (549-486 BC) and the other two later successors, Darius II (aka Ochus, king 423-404 BC) and Darius III (aka Artashata 380-330 BC).
First ruler of the Persian Empire during its war with Greece?
The question is confused. The first king of the Persian empire was Cyrus. The king during the punitive expedition against Athens and Eretria in 490 BCE was Darius. The king during the invasion of Greece 480-479 BCE was Xerxes.
Who is ouranus?
The first king of the Greek gods, father of Kronos, grandfather of Zeus. Kronos conquered him and usurped the throne.
What two Persian leaders tried to take over Greece?
Darius I in 490 BC, and his son Xerxes in 480 BC.
King Darius and Xerxes were leaders of what empire that was a threat to Greek freedom?
They were leaders the Persian Empire. Darius was the father of Xerxes. Darius led the Persians in the first Persian war, while Xerxes led the Persians in the second Persian war.
Who was the king of Persia during the first part of the Persian war?
Athens had not had a king for five hundred years. It was experimenting with a limited form of democracy under the ooverall guidance of the Council of the Aeropagus, and had ten magistrates as leaders.
Who led the attack of the Persian Empire?
Their kings, first Darius, then his son Xerxes.
Who was darius the great?
Darius was the third king of the Persian Empire and the father of Xerxes I (the king of Persia mentioned in 300). He was the first Persian to attempt to invade Greece and was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Who was a king of the Persian Empire?
The king of Persia - first Cyrus, then Cambyses, Darius, Xerxes and a string of successors.
What Persian king wanted to punish Athens?
First it was Darius the Great, and after he died it was taken on by his son Xerxes.
Who was a major historical Persian figure during the Persian War?
For the first phase King Darius I. After his death, it was his successor King Xerxes.
Who was the famous leader of Persia who lost to the Greeks in the Persian war?
Darius I led the Persians in the First Persian War. Xerxes I led them in the Second.
Who were the rulers at the time of Greek and Persian Wars?
Persia was ruled first by king Darius then King Xerxes. The Greek city-states were ruled by their aristocracies.
What Accomplishments did xerxes do?
Xerxes was a son of the ruler Darius the First. He tried to conquer Greece again. In 480 BC, the Persian Army set out for Greece. They were also joined by the Persian Navy. I think they lost the war.
What was the impact of Xerxes on the Persian Empire and the Greek World?
When Xerxes I's father Darius I died, he took first suppressed a rebellion in Egypt, then took over his father's project of absorbing the Greek cities of mainland Greece into the Empire to stop them interfering in the Empire and disrupting peace. He bribed the Greek city-states to submit, and led an expedition to suppress those who would not submit. This invasion failed so he set about consolidating the Empire as it was. The Greek cities in Asia Minor were led by Athens to form the Delian League, and this was successful in keeping Persia at bay for the rest of Xerxes' lifetime.
