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Xerxes played an extremely significant role in inspiring, preparing and mapping out the second Persian invasion of Greece. He also played an important role in deciding the outcome of the campaign. Any assessment of a Persian leader must be based largely on Greek sources. Some bias is therefore inevitable. It is consequently necessary to included only the less disputable evidence from relatively impartial sources to judge Xerxes contribution to the Persian Wars. Xerxes influence on the 2nd Persian Wars can be categorized into three areas; What provoked him to begin the invasion, the preparation as well as the leadership throughout the campaign. It must also be deduced how these factors effected the wars outcome. Xerxes decision to begin a campaign against Greece was provoked by a number of factors. These included his responsibility as king, revenge against Greece, power combined with the influences of others. Xerxes responsibility as king encouraged him to expand the