Xerxes

• Xerxes (beginning of reign)

  • Xerxes crushed Egypt revolt
  • delt with 2 Babylonian revolts
• Xerxes image (persian sources)

  • built a ceremonial gate, gate of all nations
  • present himself in his fathers footsteps
  • people under Persian rule have to follow Ahura Mazda
• Xerxes Image (Greek sources)

  • hot-headed ruler - lacks wisdom and maturity
• Xerxes conquest of Greece

  • punish the Athenians for their actions against the Persians and his his father
  • Artabanus says that he should leave it as it was reckless
• Preperations (Greece)

  • 60-80,000 men and 300-600 ships
  • supply depots were set up in Thrace
  • mile long canal
  • bridge of ships was constructed across the Hellespont
• March to Greece

  • Bridge was destroyed by storm - water was lashed 300 times
  • Greeks sent fleet to Artemisium and Troops to Thermopylae