Darius I - Military campaigns

What characterised Darius’ rule militarily?

His rule was marked by vast military expeditions and expansion.

When did Darius secure a large part of Egypt within the Persian Empire?

In 519 BCE.

What part of India did Darius conquer in 518 BCE?

Northern Punjab.

What other region in India came under Persian control?

Parts of the Indus Valley.

When did Darius launch his campaign against the European Scythians?

513 BCE.

What are two possible reasons for Darius’ Scythian campaign?

It may have been intended as military conquest or as an act of revenge.

What strategy did the Scythians use against Darius’ army?

They avoided direct battle, using feints and continually retreating eastwards while destroying the countryside behind them.

Why was the Scythian strategy effective?

It forced the Persian army to travel deep into unfamiliar territory while suffering from lack of supplies, sickness and deprivation.

What happened as Darius’ army chased the Scythians?

The Persian army pursued them deep into Scythian territory.

Who was Idanthyrus?

Idanthyrus was the Scythian king.

What did Darius demand of Idanthyrus?

He demanded that Idanthyrus fight the Persians or surrender.

How did Idanthyrus respond to Darius’ demands?

He refused to fight or surrender, so the Persian pursuit continued.

Why did Darius’ campaign against the Scythians eventually stop?

After several weeks, sickness and deprivation had taken a major toll on the Persian army.

Where did the Persian advance eventually halt?

Around the banks of the Volga River.

Where did Darius go after the Scythian campaign?

He moved towards Thrace.

Who did Darius order to subjugate Thrace?

His general Megabyzus.

What additional territories did Megabyzus conquer?

He conquered neighbouring Greek cities and sent envoys to Macedonia.

How did Darius strengthen Persian control over Ionia and the Aegean Islands?

He appointed Greek natives as city rulers or tyrants, helping to solidify Persian control.

Which ancient historian provides an important account of the Battle of Marathon?

Herodotus.

What is one major limitation of Herodotus’ account?

He wrote in the second half of the 5th century BCE, decades after the events.

What perspective does Herodotus’ account primarily represent?

A Greek perspective.

Why should Herodotus’ account be treated cautiously?

It may contain elements of Athenian/Greek propaganda, as well as being written decades after the events

What event helped lead to Darius’ invasion of Greece?

The Ionian Revolt

What did Darius want to achieve by invading Greece?

He wanted to “reduce” those who had refused to give him “earth and water”, meaning he wanted them to submit to Persian authority.

What did giving “earth and water” symbolise?

It symbolised submission to the Persian king.

Who initially led the Persian force sent to Greece?

Mardonius.

What happened to Mardonius’ expedition?

After conquering Macedonia, his fleet was shipwrecked in a storm

Who later took command of the Persian invasion of Greece?

Datis.

What route did the Persians take through the Aegean?

They travelled by island-hopping through the Aegean Sea

Which important locations did the Persians capture during their advance?

They took control of Naxos, Delos, Karystos and Eretria.

Why did the Persians burn temples at Naxos?

It was presented as revenge for the burning of Persian temples at Sardis during the Ionian Revolt in 498 BCE.

What did the Persians do with some Greek populations during their campaign?

They incorporated some Greeks and Greek islanders into their army

Who asked Athens for assistance when the Persians threatened Eretria?

The Eretrians appealed to the Athenians for help.

What eventually happened to Eretria?

The Persians captured Eretria.

Why did the Persians choose Marathon as their landing point?

It was relatively close to Athens (around 42 km), close to supplies available from Eretria, and an open plain, which was suitable for Persian cavalry.

Who was Hippias?

Hippias was the former tyrant of Athens, expelled in 510 BCE, who supported the Persians.

Why did Hippias support the Persian invasion?

He hoped the Persians would help him regain power in Athens.

Who was Miltiades?

Miltiades was an Athenian leader who took a leading role in sending the Athenian troops to Marathon and had knowledge of Persian tactics.

Who was the herald who travelled to Sparta for assistance?

The herald travelled from Athens to Sparta to request military assistance.

How quickly did the herald reach Sparta?

He reached Sparta the very next day.

Why could Sparta not immediately help Athens?

The Spartans were observing a major religious festival.

How large was the Greek army at Marathon?

Approximately 11,000 troops.

How large was the Persian army?

Approximately 30,000 troops.

What divided the Athenian generals before the battle?

They disagreed about whether they should risk fighting because they believed they were too few to engage the Persians

Who was the polemarch?

The polemarch was the commander-in-chief of the Athenian forces.

Who did Miltiades try to convince to fight?

He tried to convince Callimachus, the polemarch, to allow the Athenians to fight.

What decision did the Athenians eventually make?

They voted to fight, but waited for the right opportunity.

How was the Greek army positioned at Marathon?

The Athenians held the right wing, while the Plataeans held the left wing.

What was the key feature of the Greek battle formation?

The Greeks created strong wings and a weaker centre.

What did the Persians initially attack?

They attacked the Greek centre.

What happened when the Persians attacked the Greek centre?

The stronger Greek wings moved around the Persian forces and surrounded them.

Where did the Greeks chase the Persians?

They chased them back towards the shore.

How many Persians did the Greeks reportedly capture?

Seven Persians were captured.

What happened to the remaining Persian forces?

They escaped and sailed towards Athens.

What happened when the Persians reached the shore near Athens?

They saw that the Athenians had returned and ultimately withdrew.

What type of warfare were Persian soldiers particularly accustomed to?

They were accustomed to fighting from a distance.

What was the main weapon of Persian infantry?

The bow.

Why did Persian soldiers generally wear little armour?

Their style of warfare emphasised mobility and ranged attacks rather than heavily armoured close combat.

What type of shields did Persian soldiers carry?

They carried wider shields.

Why was Greek terrain a challenge for the Persian army?

Persians were accustomed to fighting in the terrain of Asia Minor and desert regions, which differed significantly from the Greek environment.

Why could the diversity of the Persian army cause problems?

It consisted of troops from many different parts of the empire, including newly incorporated Greeks, which could create communication and coordination problems.

What were two important strengths of Persian warfare?

Cavalry mobility and the effectiveness of archers.

How did Persian archers and cavalry normally weaken an enemy?

They used ranged attacks and mobility to weaken enemy formations before moving in for closer combat.

What disadvantage did the Persians face at Marathon?

The Greeks were able to surprise the Persians, and the Persian cavalry was reportedly absent at the crucial moment.