 Satrapies—provinces of Persia  Satrap—ruled each satrapies—”protector of the kingdom”  Zoroastrianism—Persian Religion. Believed in one God—humans had the freedom to choose between right and wrong and that goodness would triumph in the end

 Persia—modern day southwestern Iran  Persia were nomads and warriors  Cyrus the Great (559 BC to 530 BC)—united Persia into a powerful kingdom.

 Beginning in 539 BC—Persia gained control of:  Northern Mesopotamia  Asia Minor  Syria  Canaan  Phoenician cities Other leaders gained control of: Egypt, western India, and Thrace (northern region of Greece)

 Darius—521 BC  20 Satrapies ruled by Satraps  Had a paid army—full-time army  10,000 protected the king called the Immortals

 Zoroaster—born 660 BC  Found Zoroastrianism  Monotheistic  Good and Evil  Humans had freedom to choose between right and wrong  In the end, goodness will triumph

 Persia took over Greek Colonies in Asia Minor  499 BC, Athenian army helped the Greeks colonies rebel against the Persians.  King Darius decided to take over the mainland of Greece as a result.

 490 BC—20,000 Persian soldiers landed on the plains of Marathon  Persians waited, but Athenians did not fight  As the Persians loaded back onto their ships to sail south, the Athenians attacked.  Pheidippides—messenger sent by the Athenians back to Athens to deliver the news 25 miles away.  Modern day Marathons are named for this famous run

 480 BC—Xerxes (Darius son), vowed revenge against the Athenians  Launched an invasion of Greece with 180,000 soldiers, warships, and supply vessels  Greeks joined forces, including King Leonidas and the Spartans along with the Athenians and their general Themistocles

 Greeks needed to cut off Persian supplies as the Persians marched south.  7, 000 Greek soldiers tried to block the Persians at a narrow pass named Thermopylae  A Greek traitor tipped off their location to the Persians  Legend of the Spartan 300 and King Leonidas

Battle of Salamis  Greek fleet attacked the Persians at the Strait of Salamis  Strait—narrow strip of water between two pieces of land  Greek ships were smaller, faster, and easier to steer through tight spaces  Persians marched on to Athens and burned the city

Battle at Plataea  Largest Army ever assembled by the Greeks  Defeated the Persians with solid body armor, longer spears, and better training  Persians retreated back to Asia Minor

Fall of the Persian Empire  Greed  High Taxes  Revenge  Murder  Rebellions