The Ancients

Xerxes the Great

January 25, 2026

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  • Xerxes the Great's legacy, often overshadowed by the Greek invasion narratives, was that of an able king who successfully secured his succession and maintained the vast Achaemenid Empire in its early reign. 
  • The Greek accounts of Xerxes, such as the story of him falling in love with a plane tree, often misrepresent or twist Persian theological practices, like tree veneration, which can be uncovered by seeking indigenous Persian evidence. 
  • Xerxes' later reign was marked by internal political turmoil, including family conflict and a shift toward imposing a specific religious ideology centered on Ahura Mazda, evidenced by the unique 'Diver Inscription,' which contrasts sharply with his predecessors' tolerance. 

Segments

Xerxes’ Name and Sources
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(00:04:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Xerxes’ throne name, Latinized from Old Persian Hasha Shatha meaning ‘ruling over the heroes,’ is distinct from his birth name.
  • Summary: The name Xerxes is a throne name adopted upon accession, not his birth name. His original Old Persian name was Hasha Shatha, meaning ‘ruling over the heroes.’ While royal inscriptions exist, they are often repetitive, necessitating reliance on Greek sources which require critical analysis to find the underlying Persian perspective.
Darius’ Empire Setup
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(00:08:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Darius the Great left Xerxes a mature, vast empire secured by a bureaucratic satrapy system and extensive communication roads.
  • Summary: At Xerxes’ accession, the Achaemenid Empire stretched from Libya and Ethiopia in the west to Northern India in the east. Darius the Great, described as a bureaucrat, established the satrapy system of governors to manage this territory. The empire was linked by incredible road systems, evidenced by travel rations detailing supply chains for travelers across vast distances.
Succession Politics and Atossa
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(00:10:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Persian succession avoided primogeniture, allowing the king to choose the most capable son, often influenced by the status of the mother.
  • Summary: Persian kings did not adhere to primogeniture, creating potential succession crises upon the king’s death. Xerxes’ mother, Atossa, was the eldest daughter of Cyrus the Great, giving Xerxes ‘porphogeniture’ (born into the purple blood) status, which was crucial for his selection over other sons. As Queen Mother, Atossa held supreme, untouchable rank in the harem, giving her significant influence.
Early Reign and Legitimacy
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(00:14:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Xerxes immediately asserted his authority by suppressing revolts in Egypt and Babylon and emphasizing his legitimacy as Darius’s son.
  • Summary: Xerxes suppressed rebellions in Egypt and Babylon in his first year, demonstrating military competence and securing his rule. His early inscriptions frequently stress his lineage as ‘son of Darius’ to solidify his legitimacy. He also completed Darius’s building projects at Persepolis, notably adding the ‘Gate of All Lands’ to project imperial confidence.
Themistocles’ Exile and Persian Patronage
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(00:40:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The Athenian politician Themistocles, after being ostracized, found refuge and patronage under Xerxes in the Persian Empire.
  • Summary: After being voted out of Athens, Themistocles became a political exile, eventually appealing to the Persian satrap in Asia Minor. Xerxes invited him to Susa, providing him with a house and a pension. Themistocles became completely Persianized, learning the language and living out his life as a guest of state, even under Xerxes’ successor.
Late Reign Religious Zealotry
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(00:45:05)
  • Key Takeaway: In his later reign, Xerxes displayed unusual religious zealotry by demanding adherence to specific Ahura Mazda worship, contrasting with earlier Persian tolerance.
  • Summary: Later inscriptions show Xerxes condemning those who worshiped ‘divers’ (other gods or evil spirits) incorrectly, suggesting a codified system of worship was being imposed. This zealotry is unique among Achaemenid kings, who generally respected local deities. These inscriptions were later defaced and found in the latrines beneath Persepolis, suggesting later disapproval.