Xerxes was a 6th-century

Sassanid The Sasanian Empire (), officially Eranshahr ( , "Empire of the Iranian peoples, Iranians"), was an List of monarchs of Iran, Iranian empire that was founded and ruled by the House of Sasan from 224 to 651. Enduring for over four centuries, th ...

Persian prince who distinguished himself in war against the

Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived History of the Roman Empire, the events that caused the ...

. He was the son of the Sasanian king

Kavad I Kavad I ( ; 473 – 13 September 531) was the Sasanian King of Kings of Iran from 488 to 531, with a two or three-year interruption. A son of Peroz I (), he was crowned by the nobles to replace his deposed and unpopular uncle Balash (). Inheri ...

, and is first mentioned as a Sasanian general during the Iberian War between the

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...

and

Empires. In 528, Xerxes leading an army numbering 30,000 men defeated the

s at the Battle of Thannuris by stratagem, killing or capturing many of them along with their commanders. However, the victory was costly, and the army of Xerxes had lost ca. 500 of his Immortal units. These losses enraged

Kavadh I Kavad I ( ; 473 – 13 September 531) was the Sasanian King of Kings of Iran from 488 to 531, with a two or three-year interruption. A son of Peroz I (), he was crowned by the nobles to replace his deposed and unpopular uncle Balash (). Inhe ...

, who had Coutzes imprisoned and disgraced Xerxes.

References

Sources

* * * 6th-century Iranian people Sasanian princes Generals of Kavad I People of the Roman–Sasanian Wars Iberian War {{Sasanian-bio-stub