Xerxes belonged to the Iranian Orontid dynasty.[2] His father was Arsames I, who ruled Sophene, Commagene and possibly Armenia.[3] Xerxes succeeded his father in 228 as the ruler of Sophene and Commagene in 228 BC, while his brother Orontes IV ruled Armenia. In 223 BC, several Seleucid satraps rebelled against King Antiochus III, including Artabazanes (Upper Media), Molon (Lower Media), Alexander (Persis), and Achaeus (Asia Minor). By 220 BC Antiochus had put down most of the rebellions; however, Achaeus was not defeated until 213 BC.