From what I've read Xerxes and his Persians made a huge Military blunder, they continually attacked a well forified and small position that totally negated his one big advantage of his huge force.

It sounds to me like Xerxes was an idiot, so why would Sid want to put an idiot in the game as a great leader?

Thimistocles tricked him, he sent a "traitor" to Xerxes, that feed him false advice on greek tactics, and like a bone head, he listened.

Originally posted by Alcibiaties of Athenae
Thimistocles tricked him, he sent a "traitor" to Xerxes, that feed him false advice on greek tactics, and like a bone head, he listened.

My point exactly AoA ;)

The national leaders have been selected for "name recognition" value, not by considering their strategic genius, or lack thereof.

Anyway, last time I checked, the Persians used a Greek traitor to outflank the Spartan position at Thermopylae, and slaughtered the 300 Spartans holding the pass.

I see nothing bone-headed in listening to another possible traitor, having had success the first time he did so.

someone idd this same topic a few weeks ago

MadScot: I heard that same version

Stalin: That thread is what got me thinking about Xerxes's military ability or lack there of...

Silly question here. How do you pronounce 'Xerxes'?

zerk see's

for some strange reason there is a street named after him here in Minneapolis, my mother lives by Xerxes street, seems funny they would name a street after him.

Originally posted by sabo10
zerk see's

for some strange reason there is a street named after him here in Minneapolis, my mother lives by Xerxes street, seems funny they would name a street after him.

Maybe it was named during the time of the Shah's reign?

And was there not a member of the Carter administration(?) whose name was Cyros Vance, prsumably after Cyros first king of Persia.