Tristan Hughes

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He is the most well-known of all Persian kings.

The ruler who launched a massive invasion of Greece, who fought against the likes of Leonidas and Themistocles.

Xerxes.

Thanks to Hollywood blockbusters and the legend of Thermopylae, this Persian king of kings is remembered by many first and foremost for his ill-fated war against the likes of Athens and Sparta.

But...

There is so much more to this man's story.

Xerxes ruled the Supreme Persian Empire for over two decades.

And in this episode, we're going to explore what we know about his life and reign from beginning to end.

Just who was the real Xerxes?

This is the Ancients.

I'm Tristan Hughes, your host.

And this is the story of Xerxes the Great.

Our guest today is fan favourite, the Reverend Lloyd Llewellyn Jones, Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University and the author of Persians, The Age of Great Kings.

Lloyd, great to have you back on the show.

It's so nice to be back with you.

It really is.

It really is the case, isn't it?

We think when the name Xerxes gets thrown about, you might think of Zack Snyder's 300 or the Persian invasion of Greece.

But there is so much more to his story.