Greece and Persia Pg. 286-291

I. Persia Becomes an Empire A. Power rising in the east B. Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) 1. Won independence from Medes 2. Began Persian Empire

C. Conquered some Greek cities & many lands to the East D. Let the people he conquered keep their own customs E. Few people rebelled

F. Persian Army 1. Strong, organized and loyal 2. “immortals” – 10,000 special soldiers 3. chosen for bravery and skill 4. Cavalry

II. Persian Empire Grows Stronger A. Empire expand, B. Rebellion C. Darius I restores order in Persia, improves society & expands empire 1. Organizes empire 2. Governors (satraps) collect taxes, judge & put down rebellions

3. Built roads to improve travel 4. Built Persepolis as capital 5. Began Zoroastrianism religion

III. Persians Fight Greece A. Greek cities rebel against Persians (helped by other Greeks, especially Athens) B. Darius angry & swore revenge on other Greeks

IV. Darius invades at Marathon, near Athens A. Greeks won with better weapons & clever leaders B. (messenger carried news of victory back to Athens – about 26 miles and died.) Horrible Histories

V. Xerxes (Darius’ son) attack 10 years later with navy & army A. Athens & Sparta & other city-states join together to fight B. Athens strong navy C. Sparta strong army

VI. Battle of Thermopylae A. Small group of Greeks hold off Persians at Mountain pass B. Traitorous Greek leads Persians around pass & Persians surround Greeks C. Greeks all killed & Persians destroy Athens, but Athenians had time to evacuate city prior Spartan armor & formation

VII. Battle of Salamis A. Greek navy tricks Persians into a narrow straight where smaller Athenian ships sank many Persians

VIII. Battle of Platea Spartan troops defeat Persians at Platea End of Persian Wars. Greeks won!