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BC Battle of Salamis: The Greek fleet under Themistocles defeats the Persian fleet under Xerxes I

Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c. 518 BC – 465 BC) was a Persian ruler who reigned as the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 BC until his assassination in...

Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c. 518 BC – 465 BC) was a Persian ruler who reigned as the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 BC until his assassination in 465 BC. He was the son of Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great.

In Western history, Xerxes is best known for his invasion of Greece in 480 BC, which ended in Persian defeat. Xerxes was made successor by Darius over his elder brother Artobazan and inherited a large, multi-ethnic empire upon his father's death. He consolidated power by crushing revolts in Egypt and Babylon, and renewed his father's campaign to subjugate Greece and punish Athens and its allies for their interference in the Ionian Revolt.

Historical Significance

Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c.

Events Before

  1. Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople

    Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c. 425 – 9 April 491) was Eastern Roman emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.

  2. Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional d

    Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional date for the end of the Western Roman Empire

  3. Odoacer is proclaimed King of Italy by his troops, becoming the first barbarian King of Italy

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

  4. German ruler Flavius Odoacer captures Pavia

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

  5. BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Mycale is won by Greek forces over Persian naval troops on the Ionian coast

    The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece.

Events After

  1. Felix III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

  2. King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his w

    King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his way into Italy

  3. Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated ag

    Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again

More from the 480s

Felix III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north co

BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north coast of Euboea

King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his w

King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his way into Italy

Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated ag

Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 29, 480?
Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c. 518 BC – 465 BC) was a Persian ruler who reigned as the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 BC until his assassination in 465 BC. He was the son of Darius the Great and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great.
Why is BC Battle of Salamis: The Greek fleet under Themistocles defeats the Persian ... significant?
Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c.

Explore More

September 29 in HistoryYear 480