1. A Growing Challenge in the East

3. His empire included all of Southwest and Central Asia, Mesopotamia and several Greek cities.

4. 1.He had a very strong and large army. 2.His army included a very large cavalry. 3.People Cyrus didn’t rebel against him. 4.People did not rebel because Cyrus was kind to the people he conquered and did not force them to change their culture.

5. Cyrus dies His son takes over but dies in a battle. No clear leader stepped up to take his place. After 4 years, a prince named Darius killed all his rivals and claimed the throne.

6. Darius knew the empire was getting too big… He strengthens it by dividing it into 20 parts, each with its own leader called a satrap… Smaller parts are easier to manage than one big part… Darius understood his empire needed good roads to connect it… With these “royal roads”, information and orders moved quicker…

8. Darius is filled with RAGE! How dare the Greeks interfere with his plans! Darius wants REVENGE!

9. Nine years later, the Persians invade Greece!

10. The army of Athens is outnumbered by 4,000 men but they trick the Persians and steal the victory!