ancient history 10

First world empire

Aegean to eastern Mediterranean

Blend of cultures

Devised a 'federal' government

Zoroastrianism

Introduced by the Achaemenid Persian Empire

Origins and Growth of the Persian Empire

Focus of historical analysis

The Florescence of the Lydian Kingdom

Period around c. 600 BC

Mermnad dynasty

Founded by Gyges (685-644 BCE), expanded Lydian control west.

Cyrus the Great

Ruler from 559-530 BCE, expanded the Persian Empire and defeated Croesus.

Darius I

Ruler from 522-486 BCE, reorganized the Persian Empire and put down revolts.

Cambyses II

King from 530-522 BCE, prepared for conquest of Egypt.

Xerxes I

Ruler from 486-465 BCE, led invasions into Greece.

Artaxerxes I

Ruler from 465-424 BCE, dealt with revolts in Bactria and Egypt.

Persian cavalry

Developed by Cyrus the Great, crucial for military success.

Ionian Revolt

499 BCE uprising against Persian rule, leading to Persian military response.

Battle of Marathon

Persians suffered over 6,000 casualties; Greeks only 192.

Nabonidus

King from 555-539 BCE, known for his hermit lifestyle and religious focus.

Nebuchadnezzar II

Ruler from 604-562 BCE, known for building the Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, described by Strabo and Philo of Byzantium.

Ishtar Gate

Built by Nebuchadnezzar II, made of bright blue glazed bricks.

Royal women in Persia

Controlled large estates and were expected to stay out of public view.

Satraps

Governors appointed by Darius I to manage regions of the empire.

Persian language

Spoken language of the Persians, used in inscriptions.

Achaemenid Empire

The first Persian Empire, notable for its vast territorial expansion.

Cimmerians

People temporarily pushed out of Lydia during the reign of Alyattes.

Bisitun Inscription

Carved by Darius I, it tells the story of his rise to power.

Persian army

Consisted of 10,000 cavalrymen and elite infantry known as the Immortals.

Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns

Included the siege of Jerusalem and the capture of Jehoichin.

Peace of Callias

Treaty that ended Greek conflicts with Persia in 448 BCE.

Persian art and architecture

Characterized by an international style blending various influences.

Cyrus II

Another name for Cyrus the Great, known for capturing Babylon.

Persian infrastructure

Included roads, irrigation systems, and a pony express system.

Darius III

Last king of the Achaemenid Empire, killed by Alexander the Great.

Ziggurat

A temple tower of ancient Mesopotamia, rebuilt by Nabonidus.

Royal court officials

Included the Hazarapatish (Commander of a Thousand) and the Vizier.

519 BCE

Same text written in three different languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, and Median.

Persian Dress

Greeks giving examples of what they looked like.

Curved composite bows

Used in warfare by the Persians.

Persepolis

One of the capitals of the Persian Empire.

Ecbatana

Capital city of the Medes.

Pasargade

Another capital of the Persian Empire.

Susa

Capital taken over from the Elamites.

Achievements of Darius (522-486 BCE)

Reorganized the empire dividing it into 20 satrapies.

Minted coins

Darius minted his own coins of silver and gold called darics.

Croesus, King of Lydia (560 BCE)

Known for his wealth and the oracular prediction regarding war.

Cyrus Cylinder

Evidence of the Persians taking over Babylon.

Xerxes

Led the Persian invasion in 480 BCE.

Battle of Thermopylae

Spartans die; Persians win.

Battle of Salamis (480 BCE)

Greeks win in a naval battle.

Alexander the Great

Takes over the Persian Empire.

Diadochoi (Successors)

Alexander's four generals after his death.

Seleucid Empire

Created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander.

Ptolemaic Dynasty

Greek royal family which ruled the Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt.

Ptolemy II Philadelphus

Responsible for the library of Alexandria.

Cleopatra VII

Ruled from 51 until 30 BCE, known for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Augustus

First Roman emperor, known for his Res Gestae.

Jerusalem in Flames (70 BCE)

Titus' Siege, painted by David Roberts.

Queen of Zenobia

Coin of AD 267, representing the ruler of Palmyra.

Nabateans

Inhabitants of Nabatea, known for trade and architecture.

Mosaic of battle of Issus

Depicts Alexander and Zeus Ammon, a mix of Greek and Egyptian culture.

Gaugamela

Battle where Alexander fought Darius III.

Ptolemy III Euergetes

Involved in the Laodicean War against the Seleucids.

Maccabean Rebellion

167 BCE uprising that inspires the Hanukkah story.