Xerxes

In the modern film 300, Xerxes is portrayed as a decadent, pierced and irresponsible king who with
fortune defeats the Athenians and Spartans at Thermopylae. However, the film fails to highlight the
main successors of Xerxes including: his early life, his ability to contend with several revolts, his
worship of Ahuramazda and his significant impact on Persia in the field of architecture with the
completion of buildings at Susa and Persepolis.

Born in 519 BC, ‘Xerxes I of Persia’ was the fourth king of the Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes’s father was
Darius, King of Persia at the given time. In his early years, Herodotus notes that “Persian upper class
males were educated between the ages of five and twenty… and that they were taught to ride, to use
the bow and to speak the truth,” 1with an inscription at Persepolis beside Darius’s tomb stating, “I am a
good horseman… I am good both afoot and on horseback.” 2 Before his succession to the throne, it is
possible Xerxes for twelve years had been viceroy of Babylon, allowing him to gain expert skills in
“government and administration,” 3as noted by historian Vicky Stevens. 4 It was recorded that Xerxes
married Amestris, and that he could not “wed a Jewess because this was contrary to the practices of
Persian Monarchs…who only married into one of the leading Persian Families,” 5 as historian Robert J.
Littman states. Shortly before Darius’s death in 486 BC, Herodotus asserts “a violent quarrel broke out
between Darius’s sons over his succession.” 6As Darius’s eldest son was Artobazan, he felt he should
succeed his father, however, Xerxes mother was Atossa, daughter of Cyrus the Great. Herodotus felt in
any case, “Xerxes would become king, for Atossa was all-powerful.” In October-December 486 BC,
Xerxes was crowned King of Persia at the age of thirty-six, following the death of Darius. It is recorded
that in 465 BC, Artabanus, who wanted to form his own dynasty with his seven sons, murdered Xerxes
at age fifty-four. According to Ancient historian Ctesias, after Artabanus murdered Xerxes, he was able
to “persuade Xerxes youngest son Artaxerxes to kill Prince Darius.” 7 But, according to Aristotle,
“Artabanus firstly killed Darius then succeeded in murdering Xerxes… in which Artaxerxes then killed
Artabanus.”8 For twenty-one years Xerxes supplied Persia with a stable government.

In the early years of his reign, Xerxes successfully put down rebellions in Egypt and Babylon. By 486 BC,
Egyptians became highly dissatisfied and revolted against the Persian Empire due to a combination of
reasons including: “high taxes, corruption of the Persian administration and the removal of skilled
workers,9” as noted by Stevens. While preparing to march to Egypt, Darius passed away leaving the
throne to Xerxes. It is not known whether Xerxes visited Egypt himself, however, by 484 BC, the
rebellion had been suppressed with historian Matt Waters noting, “Xerxes installed his brother
Achaemenes as satrap.10” Furthermore, Waters states Egyptians were treated harsher, with “Xerxes
breaking tradition” 11as he confiscated and refused to build any temples. At this concurrent time, again
due to high taxes and loss of skilled workers, the Babylonians revolted with Xerxes’s brother in law
Megabyzus sent to crush the revolt. In return Stevens asserts, “Babylon was severely punished,” 12 with
its leaders executed, “fortifications torn down,” 13and land given to Persian Nobles. Additionally,
Stevens notes the Euphrates River was “diverted to divide the city and taxation remained high.” 14
Following the second rebellion in 482 BC by the Babylonians, historian Joan Oates notes several priests

1
HOLLAND, T. AND CARTLEDGE, THE HISTORIES, 2013, Pg. 55-60
2
Inscription besides Darius Tomb, artifact XPI
3
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 135-170
4
HOLLAND, T. AND CARTLEDGE, THE HISTORIES, 2013, Pg. 422
5
Robert J. Littman, Religious Policy of Xerxes. 1975 pp.145-155.
6
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 135-170
7
Xerxes I, Wikipedia, 2015
8
Xerxes I, Wikipedia, 2015
9
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 135-170
10
Matt Waters, Ancient Persia, 2014, pg. 117
11
Matt Waters, Ancient Persia, 2014, pg. 190
12
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 170
13
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 170
14
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 170
were executed; major damage was inflicted upon religious sanctuaries and there was “confiscation of
religious property.” 15 This coincides with Herodotus who accounts a statue “twelve cubits high, of gold
and solid…was taken by Xerxes.” 16Moreover, Babylon’s political status was reduced due to the city
being divided into two smaller satrapies, and Xerxes appeared to drop his title of ‘King of Babylon’ from
his official titles. In a short period of time, Xerxes successfully dealt with the Egyptian and Babylonian
revolts.

The Persian god Ahuramazda was the major deity worshipped by Xerxes. At Persepolis, an inscription
states that the god “Ahuramazda created humans, light and darkness,” 17with Xerxes placing greater
reliance on the concept of the mother godness. As king, Xerxes declared himself an adversary of the
Daevas, (demons) where another stone tablet at Persepolis states “Xerxes destroyed the sanctuaries of
the Daevas”18, which he described as false gods. Recognising that he was king through the favour of
Ahuramazda, he attributed his entire building program at Persepolis to the god. Furthermore, Stevens
states that Xerxes’s worship of Ahuramazda gave the religion an important political dimension in
allowing him to “justify his claim to the throne and the activities of his reigns where he could seek
divine approval.”19 The Persian army ruled many different racial groups on the principle of equal
responsibilities and rights for all individuals. Hence, Littman states the king did not interfere with “local
religion and customs,” 20as long as subjects kept peace and paid their taxes. However, there is evidence
indicating that Xerxes had intolerance towards other religions. In Babylonia following the rebellion,
Xerxes destroyed the temple of Esagila and the statue of Marduk. But, the destruction of these religious
sites were recorded as a “punitive measure after political provocation,” 21as stated by historian Mary
Boyce. Moreover, the unknown author of the Circle of Ancient Iranian studies notes “Xerxes otherwise
continued to favour temples and priesthoods that remained loyal,” 22 with Herodotus also reiterating this
when Xerxes marched through Greece, he “allowed the destruction of the temples of those who were
hostile, but respected those of people who submitted.” 23Furthermore, Xerxes appeared to develop his
own religion stressing the holy Arta, with Xerxes naming his son and successor Artaxerxes. Xerxes was
a religious king who emphasized and attributed his success to Ahuramazda.

Xerxes achieved substantial success in his building programs at Susa and Persepolis. Originally, work at
Persepolis began one year into Xerxes’s reign, but became postponed due to the second Persian war.
Only when Xerxes returned home from the second Persian invasion of Greece did his efforts become
concentrated into firstly finishing his father’s buildings at Susa, and then towards building at Persepolis.
Historian A.T. Olmstead notes the “city was the symbolic apogee of Achaemenian achievement,” 24
where Xerxes’s subjects were taxed heavily to pay for the lavish buildings and artists brought in from
Susa. Evidence from Persepolis suggests the grounds served a variety of functions. Olmstead further
notes the impressive and costly sites such as the Apadana, Hall of 100 and the new palace indicate
Xerxes “wished to demonstrate the power and wealth of the Persian society.” 25Further additions to
Persepolis included a terrace covered with reliefs, a large stairway to the palace of Darius, a Harem,
and the Gate of all Nations. The wide range of inscriptions and reliefs located at key sections of the
complex highlight “the religious importance of the site” 26 as noted by Stevens. Another popular
inscription stresses that Xerxes wished to be remembered as it reads, “I am Xerxes, the great king, king

15
Joan Oates, Babylon, 1979, pg. 120
16
HOLLAND, T. AND CARTLEDGE, THE HISTORIES, 2013, Pg. 71
17
Persepolis: Gate of all Nations, Inscription on gate, artifact XPA
18
Persepolis inscription, artifact XPh, Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History,
2013, pg. 170
19
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 170

20
Robert J. Littman, Religious Policy of Xerxes. 1975 pp.145-155.
21
Mary Boyce, A history of Zoroastrianism, 1991, pg. 175
22
Persians’ Religious Policy, CAIS, 2015, pg. 2
23
HOLLAND, T. AND CARTLEDGE, THE HISTORIES, 2013,
24
A.J Olmstead, History of the Persian Empire, 1948
25
A.J Olmstead, History of the Persian Empire, 1948
26
Vicky Stevens, HSC Ancient History, 2013, pg. 171
of kings, king of lands containing many men.” 27 Xerxes’s great interest in architecture and building
conveys his substantial success at Susa and Persepolis.

The film 300 fails to highlight the key successes of King Xerxes. Following a quarrel with Artobazanes,
Xerxes became the King of Persia where he provided a stable government for twenty-one years. In his
early years of reign, Xerxes swiftly put down the rebellions in Egypt and Babylon. Throughout his life,
Xerxes worshipped Ahuramazda while promoting religion. Finally, Xerxes completed the work begun by
his father at Susa, and then concentrated his efforts into building at Persepolis.

References
About.com Education, (2015). A Profile of Xerxes the Great, King of the
Persian Empire. [online] Available at:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/xerxes/g/Xerxes.htm [Accessed 5
Jun. 2015].

Boyce, M., Grenet, F., Spuler, B., Idris, H. and Eissfeldt, O. (1991). A
history of Zoroastrianism. Leiden [u.a.]: Brill.

Cook, J. (1983). The Persian Empire. New York: Schocken Books.

Encyclopedia Britannica, (2014). Xerxes I | biography - king of Persia.

[online] Available at:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/650720/Xerxes-I
[Accessed 7 Jun. 2015].

Grant, M. (1970). The Ancient Historians. USA: Barnes & Noble Books,
pp.235-240.

Herodotus., (n.d.). Herodotus. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press,

1975, 1920.

Holland, T. and Cartledge, P. (2013). The Histories. London: Penguin

Classics, pp.55-60.

Iranchamber.com, (2015). Historic Personalities of Iran: Xerxes

(Khashayar Shah). [online] Available at:
27
Achaemenid Royal Inscription, artifact XPh
 http://www.iranchamber.com/history/xerxes/xerxes.php [Accessed 6
Jun. 2015].

Kent, R. (1960). New Inscription of Xerxes. Linguistic Society of America,

9(1), pp.33-46.

Littman, R. (1975). Religious Policy of Xerxes. The Jewish Quarterly

Review, 65(3), pp.145-155.

Livius.org, (2015). Xerxes I - Livius. [online] Available at:

http://www.livius.org/person/xerxes-i/ [Accessed 6 Jun. 2015].

Mark, J. (2015). Xerxes I. [online] Ancient History Encyclopedia. Available

at: http://www.ancient.eu/Xerxes_I/ [Accessed 6 Jun. 2015].

Oates, J. (1979). Babylon. London: Thomas and Hudson, pp.115-130.

Olmstead, A. (1948). History of the Persian Empire. Chicago, Ill.:

University of Chicago Press.

Roberts, P. (2015). Ancient History HSC. 3rd ed. Australia: Excel.

Schmitt, R. (1999). On two Xerxes inscriptions (Plates I, II). BSO, 62(02),

p.323.

Stevens, V. (2003). HSC ancient history. South Yarra, [Vic.]: Macmillan

Education Australia.

Thalmann, W. (1980). Xerxes' Rags: Some Problems in Aeschylus'

Persians. The American Journal of Philology, 101(3), p.260.

Waters, M. (2014). Ancient Persia. New York, NY, USA: Cambridge

University Press.

Wikipedia, (2015). Xerxes I. [online] Available at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerxes_I [Accessed 6 Jun. 2015].

Williamson, H. (2004). Studies in Persian period history and

historiography. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.