Survey of World History MODULE 4 - Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great

Persian King. Wise, compassionate, doesn’t alter culture of conquered nations. Freed slaves and pushed ethnic equality.

Cyrus’ claim to power?

Overthrew grandfather, the king of Media; merges Media and Persia together.

What did Cyrus do to the Jews?

Freed them following conquer of Chaldeans. Allowed return to Jerusalem to build second temple.

Principles of Gov’t

First document to grant human rights.

Cyrus Cylinder

Ancient cylinder covered with Akkadian cuneiform script.

Persian Empire’s size at Cyrus’ death?

Largest in world history.

Cyrus’ death

Beheaded by Queen Tomyris of Massagetae during an attempted conquer of her nation.

Cambyses

Successor king to his father. Expands empire into Egypt, believed to be Pharoah.

Cambyses’ death

Revolt breaks out while army is away, dies on return to Syria.

Darius

Successor to second king following power struggle caused by said king’s death.

Darius’ claim to power?

Came in during power struggle, marries Cambyses’ widow and Cyrus’ daughter to solidify rule.

Satrapy

Provinces Persian Empire was divided into during Darius’ rule. Had mini-kings.

Royals Road

Trade route through Middle East built during Darius’ rule.

The Immortals

Elite fighting force made up of 10k soldiers.

Who were The Immortals loyal to?

Darius.

Ordience of Good Regulations

Law code by Darius. Permits continuance of local customs & regulations, set royal & local judges as law enforces. Also protected commerce & expanded international trade.

Zoroastrianism

Monotheistic religion worshipping Ahura Mazda.

Ahura Mazda

Singular god of Zoroastrianism. Creator.

Ahriman

Evil twin of Ahura.

Zoroaster

Title for the prophet of Zoroastrianism.

Avesta

Holy book of Zoroastrianism

Zarathustra

Name of the prophet of Zoroastrianism.

Avesta

Holy book of Zoroastrianism.

Magi

Scholars/priests of Zoroastrianism.

Ionian Conflict

Revolt of former Greek city-states against Persia. Effort crushed by Persia. Demand submission from adversaries, results in death of their diplomats. Pushes Persia to war.

City-states receive support from…?

Athens and Sparta.

Persian Wars

Result of the Ionian conflicts. Persia goes to war with unyielding adversaries.

Battle of Marathon

Persian War. Greeks outnumbered 2-1, lose 192 compared to Persia’s ~6000. Shifts tide of battle in Persia’s favor. Also when Pheidippides made his trip.

Pheidippides

Greek that fled from Battle of Marathon. Made a legendary 25 mile trip.

Darius’ death

Sudden, occurred during Persian Wars. Succeeded by his son, who prepares an army of 250k to avenge him.

Xerxes

Darius’ son who succeeded him upon his death following Battle of Marathon. Led Persia through the rest of the Persian War.

Battle of Thermopylae

Battle following Marathon. 300 legend(?), allowed Athens to prepare.

Battle of Salamis

Battle following Thermopylae.

Battle of Plataea

Battle following Salamis, stalemate leads to treaty.

Callias

Peace treaty that ended Persian War.

Peloponnesian War

Athens v Sparta, winner is Sparta.

Artaxerxes II

Persian leader that backs Sparta for Peloponnesian War.

King’s Peace

Persia regains Ionian city-states, but in turn, must now recognize Greek Autonomy.