Forgotten Facts About Xerxes I, The King Of Kings
Xerxes the Great was the fourth King of Kings who ruled the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. Known in the modern day for fighting the Greeks, as well as for for his battle-hardened feats and massive stone structures that he left behind, in life, Xerxes spent much of his reign embroiled in a lethal and surprisingly devious game of thrones.
1. He Was Of Royal Stock
Xerxes I was born circa 518 BCE, son of the incumbent monarch of the Achaemenid Empire, Darius the Great. Though his father ruled, it was from his mother that Xerxes received his ordained royalty: She was Atossa, a daughter of the founder of the empire, Cyrus the Great.
Back then, life was hard, even for a prince. But from day one, Xerxes assumed the role of the protagonist in his dramatic, adventurous life.
2. His Name Foretold His Destiny
Xerxes was named in the language of his empire, Old Iranian. Transliterated from that ancient tongue, his name means “ruling over heroes”. It prophesied his role leading brave soldiers in great battles later in life.
As the first of his name, he set a noble precedent too.
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3. He Started A Trend
Such was the reputation the brave king would later make for himself that his name became a staple of ancient Persian culture. Xerxes became a popular moniker for multiple rulers of the Achaemenid Empire for many successive generations.
So what did he do that made him so worthy of imitation? Let's find out.
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4. He Had A Typical Upbringing
Xerxes lived thousands of years ago, so records of his life—and especially his childhood—are sparse, though unearthed Ancient Greek dialogues have described the typical upbringing of Persian princes.
From these sources, we can say with some likelihood that Xerxes was raised by eunuchs, powerful religious figures dedicated to the royal family.
But don't picture some dainty, spoiled prince. Xerxes's upbringing was intense.
