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Xerxes

            Xerxes played an extremely significant role in inspiring, preparing and mapping out the second Persian invasion of Greece. He also played an important role in deciding the outcome of the campaign. Any assessment of a Persian leader must be based largely on Greek sources. Some bias is therefore inevitable. It is consequently necessary to included only the less disputable evidence from relatively impartial sources to judge Xerxes contribution to the Persian Wars.
             Xerxes influence on the 2nd Persian Wars can be categorized into three areas; What provoked him to begin the invasion, the preparation as well as the leadership throughout the campaign. It must also be deduced how these factors effected the wars outcome.
             Xerxes decision to begin a campaign against Greece was provoked by a number of factors. These included his responsibility as king, revenge against Greece, power combined with the influences of others.
             Xerxes responsibility as king encouraged him to expand the Persian Empire. According to Herodotus Persia's tradition of expansion had "never yet remained inactive". As the son of Darius he intended to follow in the footsteps of his father, to carry on his fathers work. Herodotus states that Xerxes duty was to "add as much power as they (his ancestors) did to the Persian Empire". Xerxes duty as king encouraged him to expand the Persian Empire and thus begin the 2nd Persian Wars.
             Xerxes also had revenge as another motive for his invasion. Sources for this were numerous. Athens and Eretria burnt Persian temples during the Ionian revolt. His fathers defeat at Marathon would also have contributed. According to Herodotus the campaign was "to get satisfaction and revenge". Herodotus also recounts an alliance between Athens and Persia. Athens however repudiated the alliance in supporting the Ionian Revolt. The historian R. Grainger felt that the fundamental cause of military action was Athens "action as a contract breaker".


Essays Related to Xerxes

1. Xerxes

"How could Xerxes have lost to the Greeks when he had such overwhelming organization, logistical expertise and numbers of soldiers?" King Xerxes lost to the Greeks due to his overwhelming confidence that sheer numbers and logistical preparation would prevail. ... His father previously failed twice in his attempts to punish the great city-state of Athens and had planned for a third expedition but due to his death Xerxes must have felt "obliged to carry out his father's plans, to punish Athens for the burning of Sardis and to avenge the Persian defeat at Marathon." ... Xerxes choice to ign...

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2. Greek Civilization During the Persian Invasion

The seeds of democracy as we know it were being realized in their basic forms throughout the Greek peninsula while the Persians, led by Xerxes, planned their invasion from the north. ... [c] There was throughout this time, always the option of conceding to Persian control, and often times Greek citizens were offered "great rewards" by Xerxes" underlings. ... At one point two Spartans, on their way to lose their own lives, in an effort to receive karmic atonement for the Sparta, and to make up for the murder of two of Xerxes messengers, were offered future authority over Greek province, upon...

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3. Esther

King Ahashuerus, also referred to as Xerxes, is having a royal feast for all his people. ... At this time Xerxes promoted a man, Haman, to a very high position, higher than all nobles. ... When Xerxes saw her he was pleased and told her that she could have anything she wanted even if it was half the kingdom. ... Xerxes agreed. ... The next day King Xerxes honored Mordecai with much food and a purple robe. ...

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4. Film Review - 300

As Xerxes kept sending more waves of armies, including war elephants, Spartans continue to defeat their enemy. In the meantime, Ephialtes reveals a secret goat path to Xerxes in exchange for wealth and women. ... As the Queen killed Theron, bags of Xerxes' gold falls from his robe showing his betrayal to the entire Spartan Council. ... Xerxes orders his army to attack just as Leonidas throws a spear just missing Xerxes, the cut across his face reveals the God-Kings mortality. ... I learned that Xerxes thought he was immortal and found out different as a spear went through his cheek. ...

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5. Gates Of Fire

., the Persian army under the command of King Xerxes went into Greece planning to make Europe part of the Persian Empire. ... Under orders from King Xerxes himself the royal surgeons are commanded to attend to Xeones. ... King Xerxes felt that by Xeones telling his story that it may be learned how a relatively small force of three hundred could hold off hundreds of thousands. ... Xeones started out as a young nave child of ten and as we go through his life through the story/tale he weaves for King Xerxes we learn that he grows up. ... He took a beaten so he could warn Alexandros, Dieneke...

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6. Battle of Salamis

Every man feared for their lives not just on the battlefield but also of Xerxes eyes because they knew he was watching them. ... Amongst the men killed in this struggle was Ariabignes, son of Darius and brother of Xerxes also other well-known men. ... They prepared for a renewal of the fight expecting another attack from Xerxes. ... In the consequences of that Xerxes would be cut off from Europe and in danger of destruction. ... The tension within the city didn't stop until Xerxes himself returned home. ...

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7. Aeschylus' Persians and the Depiction of Kingship

Darius is infuriated by news of Xerxes' advances into Greece and warns of Persia's demise. The play ends with Xerxes' return from battle. Atossa is saddened by Xerxes' reduction to being clad in tattered rags, as Xerxes mourns the loss of his troops. ... Furthermore, Atossa is equally as revered as Darius and Xerxes for the role she plays as queen. ... The Greek woman, however, knows true democracy, and refuses to submit to Xerxes. ...

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8. Greek Resistance to the Persian Invasion

During the rule of Xerxes the Persian Empire was at its height in power. ... Picking up where Darius left off Xerxes would eventually amass a force so great that none but the Persian empire could have levied it. ... Firstly Xerxes inherited an empire in which Egypt was in full revolt. ... It took two years to do so and in 484 BC Xerxes could finally focus his efforts towards Greece. ... Xerxes cocky attitude would be quickly put in check as the Greek forces threw back the Persian army several times. ...

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9. The Persian Wars

In 480 BC, Darius passed away leaving his heir, Xerxes, to be head of throne. ... Xerxes tried to penetrate Athens once again. The Greeks were torn at the time, so Xerxes had little resistance as he and his army marched their way down the eastern coast of Greece. ... Xerxes and his army obliterated Athens and proceeded to Salamis. ... More than one-third of Xerxes ships sunk causing the Persians to retreat once again. ...

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