AHASUERUS
(a) Ruler of the Persian Empire mentioned in the book of Ezra (Ezra 4:6). In secular history he is called Xerxes or Artaxerxes, following Greek nomenclature. (See ARTAJERJES).
In the Masoretic text, Persian king of the same name. This ruler is the same one that historical chronicles describe to us in the battle of Thermopylae fighting against the Greeks.
Son and successor of Darius I, he reigned between the years 485-465 BC; He subdued Egypt, which had revolted, and continuing his father’s plans against Greece, he devastated Boeotia and invaded Attica, but was defeated in the famous battle of Salamis and had to flee to Asia. (See ESDRAS).
(b) Father of Darius, king of Media (Dan. 9:1).