The Persian Empire 559 B.C. – 330 B.C.

Persian artifacts (Iran today)

Early Persians Tribes Nomads Cattle Herders Warriors Prone to attacks because they were separated

Cyrus the Great (559 – 530 B.C.) United many local tribes into the largest empire of the world at the time Took over many nearby lands – all the other empires we have learned about Allowed conquered people to continue to practice their customs and religious beliefs. Ended the Babylonian Captivity (Jews)

Cyrus the Great Built roads to connect its empire. Growing very big and difficult to manage

Darius (521 B.C. – 486 B.C.) Succeeds Cyrus Reorganizes Government Creates satrapies – provinces (areas) Satrap – tax collector, judge, chief of police, recruiter of army. Paid people to be in the military The Immortals protected the King

Persian Religion Zoroastrianism Created by Zoroaster Monotheistic Humans have the freedom to choose between good and evil Good will triumph in the end

The Persians Invade Greece! The Persian Wars The Persians Invade Greece!

The Father of History! Today, we know about these battles because of the Greek historian Herodotus

Herodotus “The Father of History” Wrote history of the Persian Wars, Interviewed people during the War Wrote in an interesting style to please readers Gave both sides of an account His accuracy is sometimes questioned as he may not have checked facts

Why War? Persians started to take over Greek colonies Greeks helped the colonies rebel against the Persians

The Battle of Marathon King Darius wants to defeat Greeks for interfering with this kingdom Persians greatly outnumber the Athenians Athenians win because of better armor, strategy and the phalanx

The first Marathon! A marathon today is named after the legendary runner Pheidippides Legend has it that he ran from Marathon to Athens (about 26 miles) to announce victory and warn them of Persian attack He then collapsed and died from exhaustion.

King Xerxes Son of Darius Wanted to avenge his father’s loss at Marathon, and defeat the Greeks.

Xerxes invades Greece! Xerxes brings an overwhelming Persian army into Greece However, have an extremely difficult time invading because they have to pass through a very narrow passageway called at Thermopylae This is the famous stand of the 300 Spartan soldiers who hold off Xerxes while the other Greeks retreat.

Xerxes is on the move! After finally getting through the pass at Thermopylae, Xerxes arrives at Athens to find the city deserted He loots the Acropolis and burns the city to the ground. He then prepares his naval fleet for the decisive battle to defeat the Greeks!

Themistocles saves Greece! Athens retreat from their city and Xerxes burns it to the ground Under the leadership of Themistocles the Greeks come up with one final plan to save their way of life!

The Greeks defeat Persia The Greeks decide to lure the Persians into the Straight of Salamis so that they could better fight the Persians The Greek navy is made up of small ships that can easily outmaneuver the huge Persian fleet. The Persian Wars end and Greece enters into a “Golden Age”

Fall of the Persian Empire Defeated Persians return home High taxes angered subjects and led to rebellions against the throne 6 of next 9 kings murdered = instability in the government Alexander the Great took advantage of their weakened state and conquered another King Darius and the Persian Empire