Persia & Greece
Main Ideas Persia becomes an empire under Cyrus the Great Persia grows stronger under Darius I Pesians fight Greece 2 times in the Persian Wars
Big Idea Persia becomes a great empire that eventually leads to conflict with Greece
Great Leaders of Persia Cyrus the Great Darius I Xerxes I
Persia Becomes an Empire Revolt against the Medes Cyrus the II becomes Cyrus the Great after creating the Persian Empire Conquer --Southwest Asia –Mesopotamia –Small Greek city-states
Cyrus the Great Keep customs –Why would he allow conquered civilizations to keep their customs? Strong Army –Calvary: is a unit of soldiers who ride horses Strategy of war
Persian Army Strong: organize & loyal Immortals: 10,000 soldiers chosen for bravery Calvary: unit of soldiers who ride horsed –Weakened enemy before Immortals arrived
Cyrus Death Son of Cyrus: Cambyses –Take over –Conquered Egypt –Persian Rebellion Cambyses is killed
Government Emperor: Darius I (restore Persia) –Divided into 20 provinces Governors or Satraps to rule provinces Collect taxes Serve as judges –Officials visit each provinces and report to him
Persian Culture Religion –Zoroastrianism There are 2 forces fighting for control of the universe Good vs. Evil Persians must be good –What other religion might be similar ?
Darius I Builds roads for quick travel –Royal Road 1700 miles long New capital –Persepolis Expands Empire –Indus River Valley –Attempts to attack Greece
Greek Revolt Greeks rebelled but Darius stops them Swears to get revenge on all of Greece
Persian Wars The Battle of Marathon 490 BC –9 years after their rebellion –Greeks won—better weapons –11,000 Athenians vs Persians –Marathon runner
Persian Wars Thermopylae480 BC (10 years later) 2 nd invasion Xerxes I (Darius Son) joined army & navy Greek unites –Thermopylae: Sparta tries to stop Persians Spartan traitor helps Persians Burn AThenss Persia won ( but only briefly)
Persian Wars Salamis480 BC –Greece won –Sank their ship through a narrow strait of Salamis Beat Persian navy Plateau –Ended the Persian wars –Persians left Greece