Picture of Xerxes

Xerxes is the main antagonist from the film 300. He is based on the real king Xerxes I of Persia who sent his army to fight against 300 Spartans in the battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Xerxes eventually won this battle by having superior numbers in his army and due to the Greek traitor Ephialtes, who aided him by showing him and the Persians the existence of a small pass that allowed Xerxes to attack them from behind. Xerxes is depicted as being extremely egocentric and a proclaimed God-king. He demands that all those beneath him bow down to him. In the film he was played by Actor Rodrigo Santoro. He will also appear in the sequel to 300, 300: Rise of an Empire.