Xerxes Empire

Lore & Background

The Xerxes Empire was a prosperous ancient kingdom renowned for its mastery of alchemy. According to canon, its downfall came when the homunculus known as Father—then a failed attempt at creating a Philosopher's Stone—manipulated the emperor and his people into performing a nationwide transmutation circle. This ritual sacrificed the entire population of Xerxes, turning them into a single, massive Philosopher's Stone that Father absorbed, granting him immense power and immortality. The ruins of Xerxes still exist in the present day, and the nation's tragic history is directly tied to the origins of the homunculi and the alchemical secrets that shape the world of Fullmetal Alchemist. Unlike the speculative historical parallels in the real world, the Xerxes Empire's lore is firmly rooted in the series' narrative.

In Their Own Story

The historical Amestris lived a life of extreme political power and personal tragedy. After discovering her daughter-in-law Artaynte's adultery with King Xerxes, she exacted brutal revenge on Artaynte's mother by ordering her breasts, nose, ears, lips, and tongue to be cut off and thrown to dogs. This act drove Masistes to flee to Bactria for revolt, where he and his sons were killed. Some Greek accounts claim that in old age, she buried fourteen children of Persian nobles as a sacrifice, but the source states this story is unsupported by primary evidence and contradicts Persian religious law prohibiting human sacrifice. She outlived her husband Xerxes and remained active during the reign of her son Artaxerxes I until her death in early 424 BC at nearly ninety years old.

Reader's Guide

The real Amestris was a formidable woman whose authority rivaled her son's during Artaxerxes I's long reign. Government officials obeyed her orders as if they were the king's. Her historical depiction varies; while Greek writers describe her as ruthless and cold-hearted, Persian records do not support claims of human sacrifice. In pop culture, she appears in Handel's opera 'Serse' (as Amastre) and inspired the name of the country in Fullmetal Alchemist. When researching this topic, distinguish between the historical queen's verified actions—like her political influence and the mutilation of Masistes' wife—and the unverified Greek tales of child sacrifice.

Did You Know?

• Xerxes is explicitly named as an ancient nation in both the manga and the 2009 anime, contradicting claims that it does not appear in the series.
• The entire population of Xerxes was sacrificed in a single transmutation circle to create a Philosopher's Stone for Father.
• The ruins of Xerxes are still present in the Fullmetal Alchemist world and serve as a key location in the story.
• The name 'Amestris' is not confirmed by canon to be derived from the historical queen; this connection remains speculative.
• The Xerxes Empire's alchemical legacy directly influences the plot, including the creation of the homunculi and the nationwide transmutation circle.

Origins and Royal Lineage

Amestris was born into the Achaemenid elite as the daughter of Otanes, one of the seven noblemen who exposed the magus impersonating King Bardiya in 522 BC. This pivotal event allowed Darius I to assume the throne, rewarding Otanes with royal marriages: Darius married Phaedymia (Otanes' other daughter), while Otanes wed a sister of Darius who gave birth to Amestris. When Darius died in 486 BC, Amestris was married to the crown prince Xerxes. Her name, from Old Persian 'Amāstrī-' meaning 'strong woman,' reflected her status as she positioned herself at the center of power through these strategic connections.

Infamous Acts of Vengeance

Greek historians describe Amestris as a cruel despot, most infamously for her revenge against Masistes' wife. When Artaynte committed adultery with Xerxes, Amestris targeted Artaynte's mother instead, believing she was complicit. On Xerxes' birthday, she ordered guards to mutilate the woman: cutting off her breasts (thrown to dogs), nose, ears, lips, and tongue. This act forced Masistes to flee to Bactria for revolt, where he and his sons were killed by royal forces. Another claim that she buried fourteen children as a sacrifice in old age is noted by the source as unsupported by primary records and inconsistent with Persian religious prohibitions.

Political Authority and Influence

Amestris held extraordinary influence throughout her life, serving as the leading lady of Xerxes' court after Queen Atossa's death. She accompanied Xerxes on his military campaign against Greece. After Xerxes died, she remained a dominant force during the long reign of her son Artaxerxes I. Historical accounts suggest real power lay largely in her hands, with officials obeying her orders as royal decrees. The young king was described as kind-hearted and heavily influenced by his mother and sister. Her authority and respect remained intact until her death in early 424 BC at nearly ninety years old.

Cultural Legacy and Depictions

Amestris appears in George Frideric Handel's opera 'Serse' (as Amastre), where she disguises herself as a man to stay near Xerxes before reconciling with him. Her name was adopted for the fictional country in Fullmetal Alchemist.