Military and Policing Approaches of Xerxes' Campaign (465-520 BC) Until the Thermopylae Battle End

The narration of the Persian wars by the Greek historians, especially Herodotus, in the absence of the Iranian narrative, is a one-sided narrative that deprives the reader of obtaining and understanding other aspects of these wars. In the Greek narrative, the military and policing strategies of these wars are either not discussed or only a brief mention is enough. The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the Persian wars that was the key to capturing Athens. Therefore, the main question in this research is, what was Xerxes' military and policing strategy in the states located on the way to Greece and in the battle of Thermopylae? The findings of the research show that according to the military supplies and support of Xerxes' army, the movement and movement of troops, the construction, maintenance and reconstruction of roads and bridges, clothing and war equipment and strategic plans during the war, Xerxes, in the first place, followed It was to secure the western borders of the empire and to regulate the western states, which was accomplished by completely conquering Thrace and Macedonia to the north of Greece. The capture of northern Greece was the first consequence and fruit of Xerxes's preparations and strategic plan, which continued with the victory in Thermopylae and, more importantly, the capture of Athens. Xerxes' advance towards Athens should be studied in the context of his satisfaction with his military strategy. In fact, Thermopylae and the capture of Athens were the result of Xerxes' planning, logistics and policy in organizing the developments of the western borders, which was a great achievement for Xerxes before the defeat of Salamis. This research is written based on the descriptive-analytical approach using the narrative analysis method.