Family Background
Xerxes was the son of this powerful Persian king
Darius I
Xerxes became king after Darius died in this year.
486BC
Xerxes governed his empire using this inherited system of provincial administration.
Satrapies
Egypt rebelled shortly after Xerxes’ accession in this year.
486BC
Babylon revolted against Xerxes around this year.
484 and 482BC
Xerxes’ mother, Atossa, was the daughter of this earlier founder of the Achaemenid Empire.
Cyrus The Great
Xerxes was chosen as heir even though Darius had older sons from other wives. This helped justify the choice.
Relationship to Cyrus to Atossa
Xerxes communicated orders and received information across his empire via this major road.
Royal Road
Xerxes suppressed the Egyptian revolt by installing this type of loyal official.
According to some sources, Xerxes punished Babylon by removing this sacred statue.
Bel Marduk
Xerxes came from this Persian royal family, which legitimised his right to rule.
Achaemenid Dynasty
Xerxes' succession was confirmed at this important Persian city, where kings were traditionally crowned.
Pasargardae
Xerxes continued to centralise power at this administrative and ceremonial capital.
Persepolis
As a result of the rebellion, Xerxes stopped using this traditional Egyptian royal title (at least according to some sources)
Xerxes divided Babylon into two satrapies, which led to this consequence.
Decline in influence/power
As crown prince, Xerxes likely received an elite education focusing on these two areas of leadership.
Military leadership and administration
This relative and advisor may have played a key role in helping Xerxes secure the throne.
Artabanus
This god was frequently invoked in Xerxes’ inscriptions as the divine source of his power.
Ahuramazda
Xerxes’ harsh treatment of Egypt included reducing support for these powerful local institutions.
Temples/Priests
The revolt in Babylon was led by a pretender claiming this title, like Darius lists in the Behistan Inscription.
"King of Babylon"
Xerxes’ close connection to both Darius and Cyrus made him a symbol of this Persian imperial concept.
Dynastic rule
Herodotus portrays Xerxes as being persuaded to invade Greece partly as a way to do this.
Prove his legitimacy as king or match Darius' legacy
In his inscriptions, Xerxes describes himself as this type of ruler, chosen by the gods to uphold truth and order.
"King of Kings" or protector of truth/arta
Despite negative representations, Xerxes is said to have invested in this leading to an improved economy in Egypt.
Irrigation systems
This ancient Greek historian claimed that Xerxes desecrated Babylonian temples and removed the statue of Marduk after a rebellion.
Herodotus