The Greek World Greece and Persia

Persia Becomes an Empire The Persians fought other peoples of Southwest Asia in early history. The Medes would rule over them for about 150 years until 550 BC when Cyrus II led a revolt. The Persians fought other peoples of Southwest Asia in early history. The Medes would rule over them for about 150 years until 550 BC when Cyrus II led a revolt.

Cyrus the Great The revolt was successful and brought independence for Persia and marked the beginning of the Persian Empire. Cyrus would go on to conquer much of Southwest Asia including nearly all of Asia Minor. The revolt was successful and brought independence for Persia and marked the beginning of the Persian Empire. Cyrus would go on to conquer much of Southwest Asia including nearly all of Asia Minor.

Cyrus the Great Several Greek cities were included in the conquest. He also took Mesopotamia and then moved east to Central Asia to Syr Darya. When Cyrus died in 529 BC, He ruled the largest empire the world had seen to that date. Several Greek cities were included in the conquest. He also took Mesopotamia and then moved east to Central Asia to Syr Darya. When Cyrus died in 529 BC, He ruled the largest empire the world had seen to that date.

Cyrus the Great Cyrus let the people he conquered keep their own customs, thinking this may make them less likely to rebel – it worked! Few will rebel and his empire remained strong. Cyrus let the people he conquered keep their own customs, thinking this may make them less likely to rebel – it worked! Few will rebel and his empire remained strong.

The Persian Army Cyrus’s army was strong because it was well organized and loyal. The heart of the army were the Immortals, 10,000 elite soldiers chosen for their bravery. Cyrus’s army was strong because it was well organized and loyal. The heart of the army were the Immortals, 10,000 elite soldiers chosen for their bravery.

Persian Army The army also had a powerful cavalry – units of horse soldiers. Cyrus used the cavalary to charge the opposition and shoot them with arrows, weakening them for the Immortals attack. The army also had a powerful cavalry – units of horse soldiers. Cyrus used the cavalary to charge the opposition and shoot them with arrows, weakening them for the Immortals attack.

Persian Empire Grows Stronger The empire would continue to grow under Cyrus’s son, Chambyses rule – Egypt for example. However, rebellion in the empire did come and Chambyses would die during the revolt. The empire would continue to grow under Cyrus’s son, Chambyses rule – Egypt for example. However, rebellion in the empire did come and Chambyses would die during the revolt.

Darius the Organizer Chambyses death left Persia without a chosen leader. Soon, a young prince named Darius I would claim the throne, killing all of his rivals for power. Darius would restore order and work to improve Persian society and expand the empire. Chambyses death left Persia without a chosen leader. Soon, a young prince named Darius I would claim the throne, killing all of his rivals for power. Darius would restore order and work to improve Persian society and expand the empire.

Political Organization Darius divided the empire into 20 provinces. He then chose governors or satraps to rule for him. The satraps collected taxes, served as judges and quashed rebellion in their provinces. Although the satraps had great power, Darius was the main guy. His officials visited the provinces to ensure the satraps remained loyal. He was the king of kings! Darius divided the empire into 20 provinces. He then chose governors or satraps to rule for him. The satraps collected taxes, served as judges and quashed rebellion in their provinces. Although the satraps had great power, Darius was the main guy. His officials visited the provinces to ensure the satraps remained loyal. He was the king of kings!

Persian Society Darius made many improvements to Persian society. He built roads to connect all parts of the empire and improve communication. The Royal Road was 1700 miles long. Darius made many improvements to Persian society. He built roads to connect all parts of the empire and improve communication. The Royal Road was 1700 miles long.

Persian Society He built a new capital, Persepolis, to reflect the glory of his empire. He filled the city with great works of art. A new religion, Zoroastrianism, taught that there were 2 forces, one good and one evil, fighting for control of the universe. He built a new capital, Persepolis, to reflect the glory of his empire. He filled the city with great works of art. A new religion, Zoroastrianism, taught that there were 2 forces, one good and one evil, fighting for control of the universe.

Persian Expansion Darius wanted to expand the empire and conquered the entire Indus Valley. He wanted to move west to Europe, however, a rebellion would interfere with his plans. Darius wanted to expand the empire and conquered the entire Indus Valley. He wanted to move west to Europe, however, a rebellion would interfere with his plans.

The Persians Fight Greece In 499 BC, several Greek cities in Asia Minor, will rebel against Persian rule. A few city states in mainland Greece sent soldiers to help. The Persians put down the revolt, but Darius was mad. He swore to get revenge on the Greeks that sent help. In 499 BC, several Greek cities in Asia Minor, will rebel against Persian rule. A few city states in mainland Greece sent soldiers to help. The Persians put down the revolt, but Darius was mad. He swore to get revenge on the Greeks that sent help.

Battle of Marathon Nine years after the Greek rebellion, Darius invaded Greece. The army sailed to the plains of Marathon near Athens. This invasion started a series of war that would become known as the Persian Wars. Nine years after the Greek rebellion, Darius invaded Greece. The army sailed to the plains of Marathon near Athens. This invasion started a series of war that would become known as the Persian Wars.

Battle of Marathon The Athenian army had only 11,000 and the Persians had 15,000 – however, the Greeks would win the battle due to superior weapons and clever leaders. Legend says a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens, a distance of just over 26 miles to bring news of the victory – he would then fall to the ground and die. The Athenian army had only 11,000 and the Persians had 15,000 – however, the Greeks would win the battle due to superior weapons and clever leaders. Legend says a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens, a distance of just over 26 miles to bring news of the victory – he would then fall to the ground and die.

The Second Invasion of Greece Ten years after the Battle of Marathon, Darius’s son, Xerxes I, tried to conquer Greece again. In 480 BC he sent both the Persian army and navy. The Athenians would be joined by the Spartans, the strongest army in Greece. Ten years after the Battle of Marathon, Darius’s son, Xerxes I, tried to conquer Greece again. In 480 BC he sent both the Persian army and navy. The Athenians would be joined by the Spartans, the strongest army in Greece.

The Second Invasion The Spartans sent 1400 soldiers to Thermopylae, a narrow mountain pass to slow the Persians. They held them for 3 days. The Persians had a traitorous Greek soldier to lead them through a different pass. The large Persian force attacked from behind and defeated the Spartans. The Spartans sent 1400 soldiers to Thermopylae, a narrow mountain pass to slow the Persians. They held them for 3 days. The Persians had a traitorous Greek soldier to lead them through a different pass. The large Persian force attacked from behind and defeated the Spartans.

The Second Invasion After defeating the Spartans, they would head to Athens and burn it down. Still, the Athenians defeated the Persian navy at the narrow strait of Salamis using a clever ploy. After defeating the Spartans, they would head to Athens and burn it down. Still, the Athenians defeated the Persian navy at the narrow strait of Salamis using a clever ploy.

Salamis The strait was so narrow and the Persians had so many ships, they found it almost impossible to navigate and the smaller Athenian boats sank the Persians easily. The strait was so narrow and the Persians had so many ships, they found it almost impossible to navigate and the smaller Athenian boats sank the Persians easily.

Sail No More Soon after the Battle of Salamis, an army of soldiers from all over Greece defeated the Persians at Plataea, thus ending the Persian Wars and sending the Persians home. Soon after the Battle of Salamis, an army of soldiers from all over Greece defeated the Persians at Plataea, thus ending the Persian Wars and sending the Persians home. For the Persians, it was a small bump as their empire remained strong for over a century. For the Greeks, it was a triumph as they saved their homeland. For the Persians, it was a small bump as their empire remained strong for over a century. For the Greeks, it was a triumph as they saved their homeland.

To Sum Up … Exit: Why did Persia want Greece? Exit: Why did Persia want Greece? Stay tuned next time for The Greek Gods Stay tuned next time for The Greek Gods