Chapter 9: The Greek World Section 1: Greece and Persia

Chapter 9: The Greek World Section 1: Greece and Persia Page 260 Overtime the Persians came to rule a great empire which eventually brought them into conflict with the Greeks.

Greece and Persia The Big Idea Over time the Persians came to rule a great empire which eventually brought them into conflict with the Greeks. Main Ideas Persia became an empire under Cyrus the Great. The Persian Empire grew stronger under Darius I. The Persians fought Greece twice in the Persian Wars.

Activity Criteria Preparation: 20mins; Presentation: 4-5mins Completely explain the assigned section Include people, places and any terms Need a visual of at least one concept from assigned section (Doc Cam) Must present the material using all members of your group in a creative way (Doc Cam) Must provide verbal quick questions at the end of presentation to ensure the audience listened and received the material

Main Idea 1: Persia became an empire under Cyrus the Great. Cyrus the Great won independence for Persia from the Medes, marking the beginning of the Persian Empire. Cyrus conquered many people but let them keep their own customs. This kept people from rebelling against his strong empire. Cyrus the Great ruled the largest empire the world had ever seen. When Cyrus the Great dies, his son Cambyses takes the throne and expands the empire, even conquering Egypt.

The Persian Army The army was composed of Immortals, which were 10,000 soldiers chosen for their bravery and skill. The army also had a cavalry, a unit of soldiers who ride horses with arrows. Cyrus used the cavalry to charge at and shoot enemies with arrows. This army was strong because it was well organized and loyal. Together the components of the army could defeat almost any enemy.

Main Idea 2: The Persian Empire grew stronger under Darius I. Within four years of Cambyses’ death, a young prince named Darius I claimed the throne. He killed all his rivals for power and then worked to restore order in Persia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQcEmiGCaCo

Persian Society Darius organized the empire into 20 provinces, each led by a governor called a satrap. They collected taxes, served as judges, and put down rebellions. He built many roads (Royal Roads) that connected various parts of the empire. He also had messengers that traveled these roads. He also built a new capital, called Persepolis. During his rule a new religion arose, called Zoroastrianism. This religion taught that two forces were fighting in the universe: a good force and an evil force. Darius expanded the empire by conquering the entire Indus Valley.

Persepolis Modern-day Iran

Main Idea 3: The Persians fought Greece twice in the Persian Wars. Darius was angry that the Greeks had aided a revolt against the Persians, so he invaded Greece in a series of battles known as the Persian Wars. The Persian Wars are 3 battles. The first battle is The Battle of Marathon Where do you think we get the term marathon from? Greece had better weapons and more clever leaders.

The Second Invasion of Greece The Second Battle is called the Battle at Thermopylae. Xerxes I tried to conquer Greece again, this time joined by the Persian navy. In this battle, Sparta joins Athens against the Persian Empire. The Greeks were unsuccessful; Persians defeat the Greeks. In the Third Battle of the Persian Wars, the Battle of Salamis, the Greeks defeated the Persians at Plataea, ending the Persian Wars.