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Xerxes the Great: The God King of Persia

Biographics・22 minutes read

Curiosity Stream provides a vast selection of documentaries starting at $2.99 a month, with a free trial code available. Xerxes, known for his invasion of Greece and battles with the Spartans, marked the decline of the Achaemenid Empire, culminating in its collapse under Alexander the Great.

Insights

  • Xerxes, the Persian king, faced internal revolts in Egypt and Babylon before focusing on invading Greece, influenced by his cousin Mardonias, assembling a massive army from various ethnicities.
  • The Battle of Salamis in 480 BC was a pivotal moment where the Greeks, through strategic naval tactics and chaos among the Persian forces, achieved a shocking victory, turning the tide in their favor against Xerxes' invasion.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Xerxes?

    Persian king invading Greece.

  • What was the Battle of Thermopylae?

    300 Spartans defending against Persians.

  • What happened at the Battle of Salamis?

    Greeks defeated Persians with naval tactics.

  • Why did Xerxes invade Greece?

    Influenced by cousin Mardonias, fulfilling father's mission.

  • How did Xerxes' reign impact history?

    Marked decline of Achaemenid Empire, led to collapse.

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Summary

00:00

Xerxes: Persian King's Greek Invasion

  • Curiosity Stream offers over 2,000 documentaries and non-fiction titles for a subscription starting at $2.99 a month, with a 30-day free trial using a specific code.
  • Xerxes, a Persian king, is remembered for his battle with 300 Spartans and his invasion of mainland Greece to fulfill his father Darius' mission.
  • Xerxes' reign marked the decline of the Achaemenid Empire, leading to its eventual collapse under Alexander the Great.
  • Xerxes, born around 518 BC, was the first son of Darius the Great and Tosa, daughter of Cyrus, the founder of the Persian kingdom.
  • Darius sought vengeance on Greek city-states for aiding in the Ionian revolt, leading to the first Persian invasion of Greece in 492 BC.
  • Xerxes became king after Darius' death, despite competition from his older brother Artabazanes, with support from his mother Tosa and a Greek advisor.
  • Xerxes dealt with internal revolts in Egypt and Babylon before focusing on the Greek invasion, despite initial indecision.
  • Xerxes' decision to invade Greece was influenced by his cousin Mardonias, leading to the assembly of a massive army from various ethnicities.
  • Xerxes' army crossed into Europe in 480 BC, with some troops traveling by land and others by sea, avoiding the treacherous waters around Athos by building a canal.
  • The size of Xerxes' army remains debated, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions, posing a formidable threat to Greek city-states that had been preparing for a Persian invasion.

13:06

Xerxes' Conquest: Athens and Sparta Defy

  • Many city-states paid tribute to Xerxes, except Athens and Sparta, who were omitted from the option.
  • The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC saw 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, bravely defending against the Persian army.
  • Contrary to popular belief, the 300 Spartans were not alone; they were joined by around 6,000 to 7,000 other Greek soldiers.
  • Ephialtes, a Greek from Trachis, betrayed his people by revealing a secret trail to Xerxes, allowing the Persians to flank the Greeks.
  • While mythologized, the Greeks did not undertake a suicide mission at Thermopylae; most forces retreated when they realized the Persians were flanking them.
  • The Battle of Artemisium, a naval conflict, occurred simultaneously with Thermopylae, where the Greeks, led by Athens, halted the Persian advance.
  • Xerxes eventually entered Athens in September 480 BC, burning and pillaging the city as revenge for their interference in the Ionian Revolt.
  • The Battle of Salamis in late September 480 BC was a shocking defeat for the Persians, turning the tide in favor of the Greeks due to strategic naval tactics and chaos among the Persian forces.
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