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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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