Persia Attacks the Greeks Chapter 7 Section 3 Chapter 7 Section 3

Did You Know? FAfter conquering Babylon in 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great wrote the Charter of Human Rights, which many historians call the first declaration of human rights.

The Persian Empire FPersians were warriors and nomads who lived in Persia, the southwestern area of what is today Iran. FCyrus the Great united the Persians. FPersians built a large empire: FConquering Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, Canaan, and Phoenician cities, among other lands. FDarius came to power in 521 B.C. and reorganized the government. FThe empire under Darius was divided into satrapies, each with a ruler known as a satrap. FThe satraps answered to the king. FThe military of Persia consisted of full-time, paid soldiers known as Immortals. FZoroastrianism, the religion of Persia, was founded by Zoroaster, who believed in one god, the freedom of humans, and the triumph of good. FPersians were warriors and nomads who lived in Persia, the southwestern area of what is today Iran. FCyrus the Great united the Persians. FPersians built a large empire: FConquering Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, Canaan, and Phoenician cities, among other lands. FDarius came to power in 521 B.C. and reorganized the government. FThe empire under Darius was divided into satrapies, each with a ruler known as a satrap. FThe satraps answered to the king. FThe military of Persia consisted of full-time, paid soldiers known as Immortals. FZoroastrianism, the religion of Persia, was founded by Zoroaster, who believed in one god, the freedom of humans, and the triumph of good.

Discussion Question? FHow did Cyrus’s compassion for his people help the Persian Empire grow? FPeople are more likely to follow a ruler who cares about them. People often attempt to overthrow cruel or unfair rulers. FHow did Cyrus’s compassion for his people help the Persian Empire grow? FPeople are more likely to follow a ruler who cares about them. People often attempt to overthrow cruel or unfair rulers.

The Persian Wars FAfter a failed rebellion by the Greeks, King Darius decided to stop the mainland Greeks from interfering in the Persian Empire. FThe Battle of Marathon: FOccurred in 490 B.C. on the plain of Marathon, a short distance from Athens. FThe Persians waited there for the Athenians. When they did not come, the Persian commander ordered the troops back on the boats. FWhen the horsemen were on the boats, the Greeks charged the Persian foot soldiers and defeated them. FAfter a failed rebellion by the Greeks, King Darius decided to stop the mainland Greeks from interfering in the Persian Empire. FThe Battle of Marathon: FOccurred in 490 B.C. on the plain of Marathon, a short distance from Athens. FThe Persians waited there for the Athenians. When they did not come, the Persian commander ordered the troops back on the boats. FWhen the horsemen were on the boats, the Greeks charged the Persian foot soldiers and defeated them.

The Persian Wars FAfter Darius’s death, his son Xerxes became king. He vowed a new invasion of Greece. FBattle of Thermopylae: FAthens and Sparta joined forces to defend against Xerxes’s attack. FGreeks fought Persians for 2 days. FThe Greeks lost the battle, but during the fighting 200 ships assembled in Athens. FBattle of Salamis: FThe Greeks used their faster, smaller ships to defeat the Persian fleet. FAfterward, the Persians entered Athens and burned the city. FBattle of Plataea: FThe Greek army won. This was the turning point of the wars with Persia. FThe Persian army fell for several reasons: FThe Persians were weakened by war. FTheir rulers taxed the people and spent the money lavishly. FThe sons of kings had little power, so they killed rulers to get power. FAfter Darius’s death, his son Xerxes became king. He vowed a new invasion of Greece. FBattle of Thermopylae: FAthens and Sparta joined forces to defend against Xerxes’s attack. FGreeks fought Persians for 2 days. FThe Greeks lost the battle, but during the fighting 200 ships assembled in Athens. FBattle of Salamis: FThe Greeks used their faster, smaller ships to defeat the Persian fleet. FAfterward, the Persians entered Athens and burned the city. FBattle of Plataea: FThe Greek army won. This was the turning point of the wars with Persia. FThe Persian army fell for several reasons: FThe Persians were weakened by war. FTheir rulers taxed the people and spent the money lavishly. FThe sons of kings had little power, so they killed rulers to get power.

Discussion Question FHow did modern marathon races get their name? FLegend tells that the Athenians sent a messenger to Athens after their victory at the Battle of Marathon. FThe messenger ran nearly 25 miles to Athens. FThere he collapsed. FHis final word was “victory”. FToday’s marathons are about 26 miles long. FHow did modern marathon races get their name? FLegend tells that the Athenians sent a messenger to Athens after their victory at the Battle of Marathon. FThe messenger ran nearly 25 miles to Athens. FThere he collapsed. FHis final word was “victory”. FToday’s marathons are about 26 miles long.