Persia, Geography & Kingship
What dynasty was Xerxes a part of?
The Achaemenid Dynasty
Who was Xerxes’ father?
Darius I
Which major ceremonial centre did Xerxes continue to develop after the reign of Darius?
Persepolis
In what year did Xerxes launch his invasion of mainland Greece?
480 BC
Which Greek historian provides the most detailed surviving narrative of Xerxes’ invasion of Greece?
Herodotus
What title expressed the Persian ruler’s authority over many different peoples and subordinate rulers?
King of Kings
Who was Xerxes’ mother?
Atossa
What monumental entrance to Persepolis was constructed under Xerxes and symbolised the empire’s many peoples?
Gate of All Nations / Gate of Xerxes
What narrow body of water did Xerxes’ army cross using pontoon bridges?
The Hellespont
Which Greek playwright wrote The Persians, our earliest surviving literary representation of Xerxes?
Aeschylus
Which god is repeatedly credited in Persian royal inscriptions with granting Xerxes his kingship?
Ahuramazda
Through his mother, Xerxes was the grandson of which founder of the Persian Empire?
What great audience hall at Persepolis features reliefs depicting delegations from across the Persian Empire?
The Apadana
What canal did Xerxes order constructed to allow his fleet to avoid sailing around a dangerous peninsula?
The Mount Athos Canal
Which Greek writer wrote the Persica, an alternative account of Persian history preserved mainly through later writers?
Ctesias
What major road connected Sardis in Asia Minor with the Persian heartland and assisted imperial communication?
The Royal Road
What title was given to a provincial governor who administered part of the Persian Empire on behalf of the king?
Satrap
Which inscription of Xerxes describes his destruction of a place where daiva were worshipped?
The Daiva Inscription
Which earlier event involving Athens gave the Persian kings a reason to seek punishment against the city?
The Ionian Revolt / Sacking of Sardis
What major archaeological site provides Persian-produced inscriptions and reliefs that can be compared with Greek representations of Xerxes?
Persepolis
Which mountain range formed a major natural barrier along the western edge of the Persian Empire and helped separate Persia from Mesopotamia?
The Zagros Mountains
What was the name of the elite group of 10,000 Persian soldiers that also served as a royal guard?
The Immortals
Which two major regions of the Persian Empire experienced revolts around the beginning of Xerxes’ reign?
Egypt and Babylon
What large-scale logistical system was established along Xerxes’ invasion route before the campaign to supply his enormous army?
Supply depots / stores of food and provisions
Why are the royal inscriptions at Persepolis valuable when compared with Greek accounts of Xerxes?
They provide a Persian/royal representation of Xerxes, allowing historians to compare Persian kingship ideology with often hostile Greek representations.