Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was a king of the Achaemenid Empire who reigned from 486 to 465 BC. Succeeding his father Darius I, he inherited a large and powerful empire, including Egypt. In this article, we will look at the impact of Xerxes I on Egypt during his reign.
The Egyptian Revolts
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes I, Egypt was a province of the Achaemenid Empire, but tensions between the Egyptians and the Persians continued. Shortly after Xerxes I ascended to the throne, Egypt revolted in 486 BC, seeking to regain its independence. Xerxes I quickly sent an army to put down the rebellion, restoring Persian control over Egypt.
Politics of repression and assimilation
Contrary to his father's conciliatory policy, Xerxes I took a tougher approach towards Egypt after the revolt was suppressed. He deposed the Egyptian high priest, imposed heavy taxes and reduced the privileges granted to Egyptian temples. This policy was intended to weaken the influence of Egyptian elites and deter possible future rebellions.
Construction of monuments and infrastructures
Despite his repressive policy, Xerxes I continued with some infrastructure projects initiated by his father in Egypt. He completed the construction of the canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea, thus facilitating trade between Egypt and the other regions of the Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes I also supported the construction of monuments and public buildings in Egypt, although to a lesser extent than Darius I.
Legacy of Xerxes I in Egypt
The impact of Xerxes I on Egypt is mixed. On the one hand, his repressive policy contributed to a deterioration of relations between Persians and Egyptians and left a bitter memory among the local population. On the other side, he maintained the unity of the Achaemenid Empire and continued the development of infrastructure in Egypt.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||