I.Xerxes and his period

Xerxes I, one of the famous rulers of the ancient Persian (Achaemenid) Empire, has been the subject of many literary and artistic works in historical process and today, notably for his campaigns against Greece. Particularly striking is the image of Xerxes portrayed by Ancient Greek authors in their works. Xerxes' personality and reign were shaped by the challenges and opportunities of the period during which he ascended to the throne of the Persian Empire (486-465 BC). After becoming king, he quelled revolts in Egypt and Babylon. Moreover, the large construction projects undertaken during Xerxes' rule, the impacts on the cultural heritage of the Persian Empire, and the artistic developments of the time are noteworthy. Especially, the architectural and artistic works in the city of Persepolis reflect his reign. Xerxes ruled until 465 BC and was assassinated in a palace coup. This study offers a view of the life, reign, domestic and foreign policies of Xerxes I, and this significant period of the Persian Empire. It also aims to examine the image of Xerxes in the works of Greek authors and assess Persian-Greek relations. The historical scope of the study encompasses the period from 486 to 465 BC, during which Xerxes ruled the Persian Empire, while also providing necessary information on the era of his father, Darius I. The study is prepared considering Ancient Greek literature, Persian royal inscriptions, archaeological remains, some Babylonian Chronicles, and works of modern authors who have opined on the subject. In the study, Xerxes' identity is defined as Achaemenid through his father, Darius I, and Anshanite (Elamite) through his mother, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. Hence, the Elamite and Achaemenid traditions in the Persian Empire are unified in Xerxes' identity. Another focus is on Xerxes' image in Western sources, where he is often depicted as a failed king, a "bad" and intolerant leader. However, this image is believed to be inaccurate, influenced by the political events of the era. Indeed, following the Persian-Greek wars, Western literature often portrayed Xerxes as a paragon of failure. Yet, these wars were not entirely a failure nor a success. Ultimately, whether Xerxes' main objective was the conquest of Greece or a punitive expedition, as mentioned by Herodotus, remains unclear. Furthermore, no territorial losses are found in Xerxes' inscriptions after the Greek campaign. His successful policies in Egypt and Babylon cannot be ignored, and his consistent focus on architectural construction in the empire's capital is also evident.