Xerxes I Bust

French

This bust portrays Xerxes I, Great King of the Achaemenid Empire in the 5th century BC, heir to Darius the Great and one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world. He is best known for leading the second Persian invasion of Greece, including the famous battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

The work draws inspiration from the ruler’s most iconic representation, as seen in monumental Persian reliefs where Xerxes appears with his long, meticulously stylized beard, royal tiara, and a hieratic posture that conveys imperial authority. These depictions were not realistic portraits in the modern sense, but rather official representations intended to embody the divine and universal power of the King of Kings.

The bust seeks to capture this emblematic iconography while maintaining the proportions, commanding presence, and solemn demeanor characteristic of these ancient representations—offering a faithful sculptural interpretation tailored for three-dimensional reproduction.

English

This bust depicts Xerxes I, Great King of the Achaemenid Empire in the 5th century BC, successor of Darius the Great and one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world. He is best known for leading the second Persian invasion of Greece, including the famous battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

The work is inspired by the most recognizable depiction of the ruler, as seen in monumental Persian reliefs where Xerxes appears with his long, stylized beard, royal tiara, and a hieratic posture that conveys imperial authority. These images were not realistic portraits in the modern sense, but official representations meant to embody the divine and universal power of the King of Kings.

The bust aims to capture this iconic iconography while preserving the proportions, presence, and solemn character typical of ancient representations—offering a faithful sculptural interpretation adapted for three-dimensional reproduction.