Section 1: Greece and Persia The Greek World Section 1: Greece and Persia

Persia Becomes an Empire Cyrus won independence for Persia and conquered the Medes. This marked the beginning of the Persian Empire He conquered much of southwest Asia and Mesopotamia He ruled the largest empire the world had ever seen He let the people he conquered keep their own customs Came to be called Cyrus the Great Strong army Strong because it was well organized and loyal to Cyrus Immortals – 10,000 soldiers chosen for their bravery and skill Powerful cavalry Unit of soldiers who ride horses

The Persian Empire Grows Stronger Cambyses – Cyrus’s son Conquered Egypt and added it to the empire Died in a rebellion that broke out in Persia Left Persia without a clear leader Darius I Claimed the throne and killed all his rivals for power Improved Persian society and expanded the empire

Darius divided the empire into 20 provinces Chose governors called saytraps to rule the provinces for him They collected taxes Served as judges Put down rebellions within their territories Called himself king of kings He built roads to connect various parts of the empire Built a new capital – Persepolis A new religion broke out during his rule – Zoroastrianism Taught that there were two forces fighting for control of the universe; One good, One bad

The Persians Fight Greece Several Greek cities in Asia Minor rebelled against Persian rule Persians put down the revolt, but Darius was angry with the Greeks Darius invaded Greece 9 years later The Battle of Marathon This invasion began a series of wars between Persia and Greece that historians call the Persian Wars Greeks won the battle because they had better weapons and clever leaders

Xerxes I (Darius’s son) tried to conquer Greece again, 10 years after the Battle of Marathon Second invasion of Greece Sparta joined with Athens to defeat Persia 3 battles: Thermopylae – Persians defeated the Spartan army Salamis – Greeks destroyed the Persian Navy Plataea – Greeks defeated the Persian army, causing the Persians to leave Greece