Xerxes : a Persian life / Richard Stoneman.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

In this comprehensive biography, Richard Stoneman shows how Xerxes, despite sympathetic treatment by the contemporary Greek writers Aeschylus and Herodotus, had his reputation destroyed by later Greek writers and by the propaganda of Alexander the Great. Stoneman draws on the latest research in Achaemenid studies and archaeology to present the ruler from the Persian perspective.

Cover page; Halftitle page; Title page; Copyright page; Contents; Illustrations; Plates; Preface; Introduction; BIOGRAPHIES OF ANCIENT SUBJECTS; XERXES THE BUILDER; PERSIAN VERSIONS; chapter one Accession; DARIUS THE USURPER; XERXES THE HEIR; DID GAUMATA EXIST?; XERXES BECOMES KING; EDUCATION; INVESTITURE; THE INVENTOR OF CHESS?; chapter two The Persian Empire; THE EXTENT OF THE EMPIRE; THE ECONOMY; AN IMPERIAL STYLE?; THE JEWS UNDER PERSIAN RULE; THE IMPERIAL STAFF; EUNUCHS; DOCTORS; OTHER NON- PERSIANS IN HIGH OFFICE; chapter three The Image of a King; A DAY AT THE COURT; GIFT-GIVING.

GARDENSDINNER; CRUELTY; chapter four The Religion of Xerxes; THE QUESTION OF ZOROASTER; GUSHTASP AND DARIUS; PROBLEMS WITH THE ATTRIBUTION OF ZOROASTRIANISM TO THE PERSIAN KINGS; THE MAGI; TOLERATION; XERXES AND THE DAEVAS; chapter five Invasion (I): The Cornerstone ofGreek Freedom; THE PROBLEM OF THE WEST: EGYPT AND BABYLON; A DEBATE IN SUSA; SPRING IN SARDIS; XERXES REVIEWS HIS TROOPS; TEARS AT THE HELLESPONT; THE CROSSING INTO EUROPE; XERXES' PLAN; THE BATTLE OF ARTEMISION; chapter six Invasion (II): The Wooden Walls; THE SACK OF ATHENS; THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS; THE RETREAT.

MARDONIUS' CAMPAIGNTHE BATTLE OF PLATAEA; REACTIONS IN PERSIA AND GREECE; chapter seven Persepolis; PERSEPOLIS AND ITS GHOSTS; XERXES' GRAND DESIGN; THE BUILDINGS; THE PRIVATE BUILDINGS; THE ART OF PERSEPOLIS; THE PURPOSE OF PERSEPOLIS; chapter eight Family Romances; CHASING LOLITA IN SUSA; WOMEN AT THE PERSIAN COURT: QUEENS AND NOBLES; THE HAREM; THE BOOK OF ESTHER: IS IT HISTORY?; chapter nine Assassination; MORE TROUBLE IN GREECE; THEMISTOCLES; XERXES' LAST GREEK CAMPAIGN; THE DEATH OF XERXES; Conclusion; AN ELUSIVE PERSONALITY; A SENSE OF POSITION; Appendix 1 Xerxes in Opera and Drama.

Appendix 2 The Birth of Persian KingsAppendix 3 The Chronology of Xerxes' Advancethrough Greece; Abbreviations; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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