PERSIA- XERXES (4) Flashcards
(36 cards)
When did Xerxes rule from and to?
486-465 BC
What gate did Xerxes commission?
The Gate of All Lands
What is Xerxes known as having
Hubris
Why did Xerxes become king and not his older brother
Xerxes was apparently chosen by Ahuramazda
Why did the invasion of Greece happen?
Revenge on Athenians, reap the economic benefits, some greeks were urging an invasion of Persia
What did Artabanus tell Xerxes about invading Greece
That he shouldnt accompany the army to save himself the embarrassment- however this is likely not true, as Herodotus probably wouldn’t know about the goings on in Persian courts
How many soldiers does Herodotus say were part of the Invasion of Greece
2.6 million, drawn from 47 nations
How large was the fleet of Persian invaders, according to Herodotus and Aeschylus
1207 ships
What are the modern estimates of the Soldiers and fleet numbers
60000-80000 men, 300-600 ships
How long did Xerxes prepare for the campaign
4 years
How did Xerxes prepare for the campaign
Supply depots through Thrace and Macedonia, Canal through the Athos peninsula, and two bridges built across the Hellespont, imitating the achievement of Darius bridging the Bosporus in 513 BC
Where did the Persian force assemble and when
In Sardis, 481 BC
When did the Persian forces begin their march?
Spring 480 BC
What problem did Xerxes face when crossing the Hellespont?
The bridges he built had been destroyed in a storm, and so Xerxes had it whipped 300 times, branded, and have a pair of chains thrown into it
Who were the Immortals
10,000 men who closely protected the king- called so because as soon as one died, there was another to take his place
What were the greek heavily armoured soldiers called?
Hoplites
What was a phalanx
Closely packed formation of soldiers
what was a trireme
Battle ship used at that time, called so for having three banks of oars on each side
Who was the greek general at Thermopylae
Leonidas
Who told Xerxes of a path around the mountain at Thermopylae
Ephialtes
How did Xerxes portray himself in the royal inscriptions?
Firmly as continuing his father’s legacy, promoting the fact that he had completed his father’s building projects. Following the wishes of Ahuramazda
What was the greek word for ‘retribution’
Nemesis
Who revolted at the start of Xerxes’ reign
Egypt and Babylon
What was the Hellenic League
An alliance made up of 30 or so city states, with Sparta as leaders
