Xerxes I was a king of the Persian Empire who ruled from 486 to 465 BCE. He is best known for his massive invasion of Greece during the Greco-Persian Wars, which included famous battles such as the Battle of Thermopylae and the Battle of Salamis. Xerxes aimed to expand his empire and sought revenge for his father's defeat at the hands of the Greeks. Xerxes I was the son of Darius I and Atossa, a daughter of Cyrus the Great. His reign is marked by significant construction projects, including the completion of the Palace of Persepolis. Despite his military ambitions, his campaigns ultimately ended in failure, leading to a decline in Persian power.