Xerxes I

views updated May 21 2018

Xerxes I (c.519–465 bc) King of Persia (486–465 bc). Succeeding his father, Darius I, Xerxes regained Egypt and crushed a rebellion in Babylon before launching his invasion of Greece (480 bc). After his fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Salamis he retired, and the defeat of the Persian army in Greece at the Battle of Plataea ended his plans for conquest. He was later assassinated by one of his own men. See also Persian Wars.

Xerxes I

views updated May 29 2018

Xerxes I (c.519–465 bc), son of Darius I, king of Persia 486–465. He continued his father's attack on the Greeks for their support of the Ionian cities that had revolted against Persian rule. His invasion of Greece achieved victories in 480 at Artemisium and Thermopylae, but defeats at Salamis (480) and Plataea (479) forced him to withdraw.