The Persian Queen Mother, widow of Darius the Great, and mother of current King Xerxes. Regarded as a noble and nurturing figure, she holds a venerable position in Persian society. She experiences a conflict between her public duties as a de facto leader while her son is at war and her maternal anxieties regarding his safety following a series of ominous dreams. She relies heavily on the trusted counselors appointed by her son, yet never forgets the personal duties of a mother waiting for her child to return from the battlefield.

The deeply respected, deceased historical ruler of Persia, remembered for bringing prosperity to the empire. His successful reign makes him a figure of near-divine reverence among the citizens. He serves as a contrast to the current leadership, representing the past glory and traditional wisdom of the royal lineage. When summoned to offer counsel, he creates more anxiety for the future by pointing out how the current regime has squandered the hard-won accomplishments of previous generations.

A group of elderly, trusted Persian courtiers and counselors left to guide the empire in the king's absence. Largely anonymous, they fulfill formal theatrical functions like relaying exposition and performing ritual lamentations. They act as trusted advisors to the royal family, attempting to balance optimism with caution while waiting for news from the military campaign. As representatives of the Persian court, they govern Susa and provide culturally specific forms of mourning when disaster strikes the empire.

The current king of the Persian Empire who has led a massive military invasion of Greece. Driven by a desire to conquer where his predecessors could not, his impulsive and aggressive schemes put his entire army at risk. His actions reflect a severe departure from the steady, prosperous rule of his ancestors. He is defined by over-ambition, entering the narrative marked by physical signs of defeat that signal his fallen status and loss of military strength.

One of the soldiers of the Persian army. Though he has little individual personality, he serves the vital role of relaying the violent events that occurred off-stage. His observations indicate a deep sorrow for his fellow soldiers and provide the isolated Persian court with a direct account of the realities of the war. He passes judgment on his leader's battle strategy as foolish while delivering the exposition necessary to move the tragedy forward.