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Politics & World • Ancient History

Xerxes I

Xerxes I was a king of the Achaemenid Empire who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Xerxes I was a king of the Achaemenid Empire who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE. He is best known in Western history for his invasion of Greece in 480 BCE and for major building activity at Persepolis. He was the son and successor of Darius I and died in 465 BCE in Persepolis.

Early life and succession

Xerxes I was born around 519 BCE and was the son of Darius I. He succeeded his father as ruler of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 to 465 BCE.

Reign and administration

After taking the throne, Xerxes consolidated power by suppressing revolts in Egypt and Babylon. He ruled a large multi-ethnic empire and continued imperial administration and construction, including major building projects at Persepolis.

Invasion of Greece

Xerxes is most famous for the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BCE. The campaign included the battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea and ended in a Persian defeat.

Legacy

Xerxes remains one of the most well-known Achaemenid rulers because of his role in the Greco-Persian Wars. He is also remembered for imperial building projects and for the scale of his empire.

Key facts

  • Xerxes I was a Persian king of the Achaemenid dynasty who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE.
  • He was the son and successor of Darius I.
  • He is best known for leading the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BCE, including the campaigns associated with Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.
  • He died in 465 BCE in Persepolis.
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Canadian context

Xerxes I is studied in Canadian history and classics courses as a central figure in the Greco-Persian Wars and in the history of the ancient Near East.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Xerxes I?
Xerxes I was a Persian king of the Achaemenid Empire who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE.
Why is Xerxes I famous?
He is best known for leading the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BCE, especially the campaigns linked to Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.
Who was Xerxes I’s father?
His father was Darius I.
Where did Xerxes I die?
He died in Persepolis in 465 BCE.
What did Xerxes I do inside the empire?
He crushed revolts in Egypt and Babylon and was associated with major building projects, including work at Persepolis.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Xerxes-I
    Supports: Reign dates, parentage, death place, and major role in the Persian invasion of Greece.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerxes_I
    Supports: Successor status, revolts in Egypt and Babylon, and invasion of Greece.
  3. World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/Xerxes_I/
    Supports: Title as Shahanshah, building projects, and invasion of Greece.
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/xerxes-i
    Supports: Reign dates and parentage.