XÅ¡aya-rÅ¡a (Khshayarshan) to the Persians; Ahasuerus to the Jews; Xerxes to the Greeks. So great was his power; that he was hailed by the Persians as ‘King of Kings’; and by the Greeks as “The Great Kingâ€. Famed for his beauty and magnificence; he ruled over the greatest empire the world had known; and built cities the like of which the world had never seen. He was the king who re-conquered Egypt and subdued the rebels of Babylon; he was the king who captured Athens and burnt the temples of the Acropolis; and of course he was the king who defeated Leonidas; the greatest of the Warrior-Kings of Sparta. Some claim that he was the king who saved the Jews. The life of Xerxes; however; has never been told – until now. Ian McGregor Morris brings together a variety of evidence; literary and archaeological; to create a nuanced account that fully takes into account the context of fifth-century Persia. Morris reviews the background of Xerxes’ upbringing and his early taste of power; the problems of the succession; and the challenges he faced as a new king. The Greek expedition will be considered from a Persian perspective; while the effect of its failure on Persian policy in general; and on Xerxes in particular; forms a major theme of the later chapters. The character of Xerxes; so often depicted as hubristic; will be reexamined in terms of notions of Persian kingship; while his domestic policies on issues such as religious tolerance and the ambitious building programs will be seen in light of the political events of the period. To those who know Xerxes only as the sadistic but effeminate poser in gold underpants from the 300 films (300 II is due out in March 2014); it will show a real man who is far more impressive.
#247667 in Books Osprey Publishing 2015-06-23 2015-06-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 248.92 x 6.99 x 6.87l; .57 #File Name: 147280731680 pages9781472807311
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The horse soldiers...By HMS WarspiteThe Union army began the American Civil War deficient in its cavalry arm. In contrast; the Confederacy almost immediately fielded a cavalry whose troopers were better riders and better prepared for combat. That situation would change over time. Experienced author Ron Field provides a highly readable narrative in the Osprey Combat Series book "Confederate Cavalryman Versus Union Cavalryman."The author has narrowed his focus to the Eastern Theater of the Civil War. Following a introduction to the respective sides and their tactics and equipment; the narrative covers three separate cavalry combats in detail: Lewis Ford in 1862; Buckland Mills in 1863; and Tom's Brook in 1864. The respective analyses include illustrations; maps; and battle diagrams which outline the context and describe the outcome of each fight.This book is a good introduction to the topic. The discussion of equipment and tactics is surprisingly detailed given the short length of the book. This reviewer was fascinated by the description of the multiple models of carbines carried by the troopers on both sides. The three battles chosen for analysis are less well known than the more obvious examples of cavalry combat at Brandy Station and Yellow Tavern; but the author uses them well to illustrate his points. Recommended to the general reader and to the student of the Civil War.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. nice; but expected more...By Thomas B. MixThis book is nice but very limited to only 3 battles of the war in the Eastern Theater; focusing on Lewis Ford; 30 August; 1862; Buckland Mills; Oct. 19; 1863 and Toms Brook; Oct. 9; 1864. Mr. Field does a fine job in discussing each battle and the cavalry issues confronting the 2 sides; supporting each battle with excellent maps; pictures and paintings but using just the 3 it does limit the general context of the growth of the Union cavalry and the gradual degradation of the Confederate cavalry over the war. I expected more but did learn a lot regarding these 3 battles but it is a self limiting effort.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Charles OckrassaAs anticipated
