The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great * A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. *The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” * The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” In 537 he allowed over 40,000 people to return to Palestine 580 – 529 B. C. E.

The Immortals Cyrus’s strong, well-organized army 10,000 soldiers chosen for bravery and skill Cavalry: Unit of soldiers who ride horses

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Built Persepolis. He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Established a tax-collecting system. Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES. Satraps are governors who: Collect taxes Serve as judges Put down rebellions

Built the great Royal Road from Susa to Sardis Established a complex postal system. Created a network of spies called “the kings eyes and ears” ears

Established a complex postal system.

Daius established a complex postal system. Nothing on earth travels faster than do these messengers as the Persians have organized them…Neither snow, nor rain, heat nor darkness prevents these riders from covering the distance allotted to them at full speed.” Herodotus, The Histories “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

“Nothing on earth travels faster than do these messengers as the Persians have organized them…Neither snow, nor rain, heat nor darkness prevents these riders from covering the distance allotted to them at full speed.” Herodotus, The Histories The Pony Express, established in 1860, operated from Missouri to California, across a 1,966 mile trail, could deliver mail in 10 days or less. A day’s trip was 75 miles, and riders mounted a fresh horse at every station.

Ancient Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Zoroaster (Zarathustra) Founded Zoroastrianism Struggle between good and evil Good thoughts, good deeds, and good words Judgement at death Hymns called “The Gathas” collected into a book called Avesta

Ahura Mazda: The One Creator Spenta Mainyu: Good Anga Mainyu: Evil

Extent of Zoroastrianism

Persian Wars: 499 BCE – 480 BCE

Persian Wars: Famous Battles Marathon (490 BCE) 26 miles from Athens Thermopylae (480 BCE) 300 Spartans at the Mountain pass Salamis (480 BCE) Athenian navy victorious

Why Fight? Greeks settled on the west coast of Asia Minor Persia conquered these colonies In 499 B.C. Greeks revolted against Persian rule Athens sent troops to support the revolt

Crushing the Revolt Emperor Darius of Persia crushed the revolt He decided to punish Athens for helping the colonies After training for a few years Darius sent troops to invade Greece Sailed on to the Bay of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon Athens asked Sparta to help, but Spartan troops would not arrive for 9 days (they were in the middle of religious festivals) Other jealous city-states decided not to help Athens against the Persian Empire Athens took on the mighty Persian Empire by themselves

Marathon 490 BCE

A Serious Mismatch Persian troops—100,000 Athenian troops—20,000 Did Athens really have any hope against these odds?

Victory The Athenian army was well-trained and did not break formation as they charged the Persian lines The organized charge surprised the large but scattered (and poorly organized) Persian army The Persian soldiers turned and ran from the oncoming Athenians

Greek Hoplites

Greek Phalanx

A Slaughter The Athenian army almost drove the Persians back to the sea Final tally Persians—6, 400 dead Athens—192 dead Darius returned to Persia never to return to Greece

Today’s 26 mile marathon races remember his heroic act of martyrdom Connection to the Past The modern marathon has its roots in the Battle of Marathon Phidippides, ran from Marathon to Athens (26 miles) to tell the Athenians of the Greek victory Phidippides died from exhaustion after delivering his message Today’s 26 mile marathon races remember his heroic act of martyrdom

Back for Revenge The Persian Emperor Darius never returned, but his son Emperor Xerxes did In 480 B.C. the Persians returned to Greece They brought even more men this time around

The Battle of Thermopylae Persians met a force of Greeks at Thermopylae This was a small mountain pass that controlled access to all of Greece For two days 7,000 Greeks held the Persians back, but…

The Downfall A Greek traitor showed the Persians a secret passageway This allowed the Persians to sneak up from behind and attack the Greeks Most of the Greek defenders ran away

A Heroic Act About 300 Spartans stayed behind and fought to their deaths

This allowed the other Greeks to escape capture or certain death

Here come the Persians The Persians poured into Greece They got their revenge by wreaking havoc They even burned Athens to the ground What were the Greeks to do?

The Battle of Salamis As their city-state burned the Athenian people and the army escaped to the island of Salamis The Persians were quick to follow the retreating Greeks to Salamis

Themistocles’ Wooden Wall Athenian Admiral and Statesman Oracle of Delphi consulted “Wooden wall that alone remains intact, to the benefit of you and your sons” Wall= hull of ships

Those Clever Athenians The Greeks ships first sailed from shore like they were fleeing the island They then turned quickly around and began ramming the Persian ships

Before the Persians knew what had happened half of their fleet was on the ocean floor The Persians once again retreated back to Persia

Hollywood’s version of Xerxes

The Final Battle The Battle of Plataea The Greeks and Persians at equal strength Athens and Sparta fought side by side Greek military superiority won out and Persia retreated for good

How did the Greeks do it? Three reasons: Inherent advantage of the defender They were better soldiers They used the element of surprise