Xerxes Beyond Historical Context: A Look into his Representation in Modern Media

Xerxes Beyond Historical Context: A Look into his Representation in Modern Media

Xerxes has been a subject of fascination for many centuries, with numerous historical accounts documenting his reign. However, as the world has evolved and new mediums of art and expression have emerged, Xerxes has also found his way into modern media. From movies and video games to literature and music, Xerxes has been portrayed in various forms, often deviating from the historical context. In this article, we explore the different representations of Xerxes in modern media and examine how they have shaped our perception of this ancient ruler.

Xerxes in Movies

One of the most recognizable representations of Xerxes in modern media came from the movie 300, which dramatized the Battle of Thermopylae. The movie portrays Xerxes as a god-king, dressed bizarrely in golden armor and towering over his subjects. While there certainly were differences between the portayal and the real Xerxes, some scholars argue that many aspects of the Xerxes were based on the real historical record.

However, it wasn’t until the movie 300: Rise of an Empire that we saw a more nuanced depiction of Xerxes. The movie shows Xerxes as a vulnerable and nuanced character, a Persian prince who transforms into a god-king after a ritual.

Xerxes in Literature

Xerxes has also appeared in numerous works of literature, often as a villain or as a side character. In many cases, the way Xerxes is depicted in literature reflects themes related to power, colonialism and the exploitation of one culture by another.

One example of Xerxes’s appearance in literature is in The Histories by Herodotus where he is portrayed as ruthless, vindictive and a slave to his impulses. In contrast, in modern literature, Xerxes is often a sympathetic character, such as in Frank Miller’s comic 300 and its adaptation for the screen.

Xerxes in Video Games

Video games, too, have been exploring Xerxes as a subject for inspiration. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is one example of a video game that features Xerxes, but not as a main character, but as a side character. He is portrayed as an aloof and distant ruler, but one who also shows empathy and understanding to the protagonist.

In contrast, Age of Empires II shows Xerxes as a formidable and terrifying opponent, who expects absolute loyalty and obedience from his soldiers. Such representation might be reasonable since the Xerxes was known to treat his soldiers with iron discipline.

Conclusion

Xerxes, though centuries removed from our times, continues to fascinate us. In modern media, Xerxes has been portrayed in different ways, from a god-king to a ruthless conquerer to a vulnerable prince. However, one thing is clear: the ways in which Xerxes is depicted in these mediums has tremendous power to shape our perception of this ancient ruler. The content creators should keep historical accuracy in mind while creating content- to ensure that portrayals are not harmful to the overall understanding of Xerxes as historians know him.

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