Xerxes I

Xerxes I, commonly known as Xerxes the Great, was the fifth king of the Achaemenid dynasty of Persia. He is one of the most famous ancient Egyptian Pharaohs - famous in history for his attempt to invade Greece at the Battle of Thermopylae. Finally that year, he was defeated at the Battle of Salamis, forcing him to flee his kingdom. He is known as a Persian ruler and a pharaoh because when he ruled Egypt, it was also part of the Persian Empire. Xerxes I is not actively depicted in history books because most historical texts were written by the Greeks, who saw him as a symbol of autocracy.

The Achaemenid kings of Persia were recognized as pharaohs and so Xerxes I, as he was known, earned a spot on the list thanks to his famous. Xerxes I is often portrayed as a tyrant and it is likely that, as a Persian king, his disregard for local traditions did not endear him to the Egyptians. He was actually an absentee pharaoh, and his failed attempts at invading Greece have ensured that his portrayal is not appreciated by Greek historians.

• Duration of reign: 486 BC – 465 BC