OCR GCSE Ancient History: Xerxes I
Questions & Answers
When did Xerxes become king of Persia? - ANSWERS486BCE
Who was Xerxes mother? - ANSWERSAtossa, daughter of Cyrus
Why does Herodotus say Xerxes was named as Darius's heir ahead of his three
brothers? - ANSWERSFormer Spartan king, Demaratus, persuaded Darius to follow the
Spartan tradition of being succeeded by the first son born after you yourself become
king
When Xerxes took the throne, there were revolts in which regions of the empire? -
ANSWERSEgypt and Babylon
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. Name the general who argues in favour? - ANSWERSMardonius
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. What does he say Xerxes said in favour of invading? - ANSWERS"You know
well enough the famous deeds of Cyrus, Cambyses and my father, Darius, and their
additions to the empire. Now I myself, ever since my accession, have been thinking how
not to fall short of the kings who have sat upon this throne before me..."
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. Which probably fictional uncle cautions Xerxes against a risky invasion? -
ANSWERSArtabanus
How long does Herodotus say Xerxes spent preparing for the invasion of 480BCE? -
ANSWERS4 years
Name the author of the play 'Persians' which tells of Xerxes' invasion of Greece -
ANSWERSAeschylus
What does Herodotus say Xerxes had done when a storm smashed the Persian bridges
across the Hellespont? - ANSWERSHe had all the men who built the bridges beheaded,
had the waters of the Hellespont whipped and branded and a pair of chains thrown in
What did Persians troops defend themselves with? - ANSWERSA wicker shield
What were Persian troops best known for? - ANSWERSTheir archers
What were the heavily-armed Greek soldiers known as? - ANSWERSHoplites
Questions & Answers
When did Xerxes become king of Persia? - ANSWERS486BCE
Who was Xerxes mother? - ANSWERSAtossa, daughter of Cyrus
Why does Herodotus say Xerxes was named as Darius's heir ahead of his three
brothers? - ANSWERSFormer Spartan king, Demaratus, persuaded Darius to follow the
Spartan tradition of being succeeded by the first son born after you yourself become
king
When Xerxes took the throne, there were revolts in which regions of the empire? -
ANSWERSEgypt and Babylon
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. Name the general who argues in favour? - ANSWERSMardonius
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. What does he say Xerxes said in favour of invading? - ANSWERS"You know
well enough the famous deeds of Cyrus, Cambyses and my father, Darius, and their
additions to the empire. Now I myself, ever since my accession, have been thinking how
not to fall short of the kings who have sat upon this throne before me..."
Herodotus describes a debate within the Persian court as to whether or not to invade
Greece. Which probably fictional uncle cautions Xerxes against a risky invasion? -
ANSWERSArtabanus
How long does Herodotus say Xerxes spent preparing for the invasion of 480BCE? -
ANSWERS4 years
Name the author of the play 'Persians' which tells of Xerxes' invasion of Greece -
ANSWERSAeschylus
What does Herodotus say Xerxes had done when a storm smashed the Persian bridges
across the Hellespont? - ANSWERSHe had all the men who built the bridges beheaded,
had the waters of the Hellespont whipped and branded and a pair of chains thrown in
What did Persians troops defend themselves with? - ANSWERSA wicker shield
What were Persian troops best known for? - ANSWERSTheir archers
What were the heavily-armed Greek soldiers known as? - ANSWERSHoplites
