1. The Persian Empire

2. Cyrus the Great
* A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.
*The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.”
* The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” In 537 he allowed over 40,000 people to return to Palestine
580 – 529 B. C. E.

3. The Immortals
Cyrus’s strong, well-organized army
10,000 soldiers chosen for bravery and skill
Cavalry: Unit of soldiers who ride horses

4. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Built Persepolis.
He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)

5. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Established a tax-collecting system.
Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES.
Satraps are governors who:
Collect taxes
Serve as judges
Put down rebellions

6. Built the great Royal Road from
Susa to Sardis
Established a complex postal system.
Created a network of spies called “the kings eyes and ears”
ears

7. Established a complex postal system.

8. Daius established a complex postal system.
Nothing on earth travels faster than do these messengers as the Persians have organized them…Neither snow, nor rain, heat nor darkness prevents these riders from covering the distance allotted to them at full speed.” Herodotus, The Histories
“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

9. “Nothing on earth travels faster than do these messengers as the Persians have organized them…Neither snow, nor rain, heat nor darkness prevents these riders from covering the distance allotted to them at full speed.” Herodotus, The Histories
The Pony Express, established in 1860, operated from Missouri to California, across a 1,966 mile trail, could deliver mail in 10 days or less. A day’s trip was 75 miles, and riders mounted a fresh horse at every station.

10. Ancient Persepolis

11. Persian “Royal Road”

12. Persian Archers & Soldiers

13. Zoroaster (Zarathustra)
Founded Zoroastrianism
Struggle between good and evil
Good thoughts, good deeds, and good words
Judgement at death
Hymns called “The Gathas” collected into a book called Avesta

14. Ahura Mazda: The One Creator
Spenta Mainyu: Good
Anga Mainyu: Evil

15. Extent of Zoroastrianism

16. Persian Wars: 499 BCE – 480 BCE

17. Persian Wars: Famous Battles
Marathon (490 BCE)
26 miles from Athens
Thermopylae (480 BCE)
300 Spartans at the Mountain pass
Salamis (480 BCE)
Athenian navy victorious

18. Why Fight? Greeks settled on the west coast of Asia Minor
Persia conquered these colonies
In 499 B.C. Greeks revolted against Persian rule
Athens sent troops to support the revolt

19. Crushing the Revolt Emperor Darius of Persia crushed the revolt
He decided to punish Athens for helping the colonies
After training for a few years Darius sent troops to invade Greece
Sailed on to the Bay of Marathon

20. The Battle of Marathon
Athens asked Sparta to help, but Spartan troops would not arrive for 9 days (they were in the middle of religious festivals)
Other jealous city-states decided not to help Athens against the Persian Empire
Athens took on the mighty Persian Empire by themselves

21. Marathon 490 BCE

22. A Serious Mismatch Persian troops—100,000 Athenian troops—20,000
Did Athens really have any hope against these odds?

23. Victory
The Athenian army was well-trained and did not break formation as they charged the Persian lines
The organized charge surprised the large but scattered (and poorly organized) Persian army
The Persian soldiers turned and ran from the oncoming Athenians

24. Greek Hoplites

26. Greek Phalanx

29. A Slaughter
The Athenian army almost drove the Persians back to the sea
Final tally
Persians—6, 400 dead
Athens—192 dead
Darius returned to Persia never to return to Greece

30. Today’s 26 mile marathon races remember his heroic act of martyrdom
Connection to the Past
The modern marathon has its roots in the Battle of Marathon
Phidippides, ran from Marathon to Athens (26 miles) to tell the Athenians of the Greek victory
Phidippides died from exhaustion after delivering his message
Today’s 26 mile marathon races remember his heroic act of martyrdom

31. Back for Revenge
The Persian Emperor Darius never returned, but his son Emperor Xerxes did
In 480 B.C. the Persians returned to Greece
They brought even more men this time around

32. The Battle of Thermopylae
Persians met a force of Greeks at Thermopylae
This was a small mountain pass that controlled access to all of Greece
For two days 7,000 Greeks held the Persians back, but…

34. The Downfall A Greek traitor showed the Persians a secret passageway
This allowed the Persians to sneak up from behind and attack the Greeks
Most of the Greek defenders ran away

35. A Heroic Act
About 300 Spartans stayed behind and fought to their deaths

36. This allowed the other Greeks to escape capture or certain death

37. Here come the Persians The Persians poured into Greece
They got their revenge by wreaking havoc
They even burned Athens to the ground
What were the Greeks to do?

38. The Battle of Salamis
As their city-state burned the Athenian people and the army escaped to the island of Salamis
The Persians were quick to follow the retreating Greeks to Salamis

39. Themistocles’ Wooden Wall
Athenian Admiral and Statesman
Oracle of Delphi consulted
“Wooden wall that alone remains intact, to the benefit of you and your sons”
Wall= hull of ships

40. Those Clever Athenians
The Greeks ships first sailed from shore like they were fleeing the island
They then turned quickly around and began ramming the Persian ships

41. Before the Persians knew what had happened half of their fleet was on the ocean floor
The Persians once again retreated back to Persia

44. Hollywood’s version of Xerxes

45. The Final Battle The Battle of Plataea
The Greeks and Persians at equal strength
Athens and Sparta fought side by side
Greek military superiority won out and Persia retreated for good

46. How did the Greeks do it? Three reasons:
Inherent advantage of the defender
They were better soldiers
They used the element of surprise