CLAS/HIST3001 Persia

The Greeks and the East ● “Her shining ankles clad in fairest fashion. In broidered leather from the realm of Lydia, so came the Goddess.” -- Sappho fr. 19 ● Who is the goddess? ● What does she wear? ● C94

Croesus / Kroisos c. 560 – 546 BC: C90, 91 King of Lydia, fabulously wealthy Host of Greeks, including Solon

Persia on the Rise: Cyrus the Great c. 557 – 530 BC

Pasargadae: Tomb of Cyrus the Great “I am Cyrus, son of Cambyses, who founded the Empire of the Persians and was king of the East. Grudge me not therefore this monument”

Cambyses

Persian Empire in Late 6 th C. (Darius) C96

The Behistun Inscription

Darius' Self-Conception C95 ● What is his role in life? ● How does he see his subjects? ● In what way does this conflict with Greek idea of polites?

Religion of East C97 How does this differ from Greek experience, in Herodotus' view?

Social Deference / Proskynesis

Ionian Revolt 499 – 494 BC ● Aristagoras of Miletos undertakes revolt for what reasons? C102 ● Attempts to involve Spartans (C103) and Athenians (C104) ● Sardis burned

Persian Counter-Stroke ● C105: – Aristagoras attempts to make home in exile in Thrace – Histiaios tries to muster Ionia, make stand at island of Lade – Miletus taken, Didyma sacked – Population transferred to Mesopotamia

Athenian Shame ● In new art of 'tragedy', Phyrnicus puts on historical drama, The Sack of Miletus ● Though victor, he is fined ● The theme is forbidden for all time

First Persian Campaign 492 BC ● What political change does Mardonius undertake? (C107) ● Why?

Darius' Revenge 490 BC (C108) ● Naval expedition to punish other Greeks involved in Ionian revolt ● Phoenician sea power extends Persians' long reach ● Ends up on plain of Marathon, outside Athens

The Plain of Marathon ● How was the military decision formed in the Athenian democracy? (C108 p. 219) – Elected strategoi ● What broke the deadlock?

Marathon Battle of Marathon I

Battle of Marathon II

● Delayed at Thermopylae and Artemesium ● Wall built at Corinth ● Athens city sacrificed ● Naval battle forced at Salamis ● Final defeat of Persians in 479 BC on land at Plataea

Themistokles ● Crucial role in Salamis (C112)

Serpent Column (C115)

Continued Hostilities Against Persians ● Athens leads with 'Delian League' ● Liberates Asia Minor ● Cessation of hostilities in 449 BC ● League becomes sometimes oppressive Athenian Empire