Classical Civilizations Cyrus the Great First King of

Classical Civilizations

Cyrus the Great • First King of Persia • Captured Babylon in 539 BCE • Reputation for Mercy • Cyrus’ son: Cambysees, conquered Egypt, – Darius, next ruler, conquered Indus River

Open Society • Incorporated different cultures • Encouraged trade throughout empire • Freedom of Religion

Persian Empire: Administration • Satrapy: Province in Persian Empire – Satrap: Provincial Governor • Royal Road: road which stretched from one end of the empire to the other

Royal Road

Persian Empire: Religion • • Zoroastrianism Founder: Zoroaster Holy Book: Zend Avesta God: Ahura Mazda – Dual Forces: – Good: Spenta Mainyu – Bad: Agra Mainyu

Greece

Greece: Origins • Minoans: Original Greek speakingdom • Island of Crete

Mycenaeans • Group of people from Central Asia • Settled in mainland Greece

Greek Colonies

Governments • City-States • Athens: Direct Democracy • Sparta: Absolute Monarchy

Greek Culture • All city states shared same culture, language, and religion

Athens • Direct Democracy: all citizens vote on all issues – BUT: “Citizens” were only men who owned property • Trading Economy • Strong navy

Sparta • Oligarchy- entire city controlled by a small group • Entire city-state created around being a soldier • Best soldiers the world has ever seen • Women had more rights • Economy based on Agriculture – Helots: slaves who worked the land

Persian Wars

Phalanx • Greek army formation • Men standing next to each other with interlocking shields with spears

Back to Persian Wars • • Battles: 1. Marathon 2. Thermopylae 3. Salamis

1. Marathon (August 490 BCE) • Persians attack Greece • Persians: – 600 ships – 20, 000 infantry and cavalry • Greece (mostly Athens) – 10, 000 infantry – Greek Hoplites

Persian Soldiers Average Persian soldier Immortals

2. Thermopylae (480 BCE) • Xerxes (next king of Persia) wanted revenge for Marathon • 100 -200, 000 soldiers invade Greece • 7, 000 Greek soldiers – 300 Spartans

Thermopylae today

Held off Persian Army for 7 days

Battle of Salamis • Athenian citizens escape to island of Salamis • Persians go after them with ships

Greece must unite Who will lead them?

Peloponnesian Wars • Persians are defeated, but they will be back

Athens Vs. Sparta • Delian League (Athens) – Alliance between Athens and other Greek citystates • Sparta and Allies – Tried to unite all of Greece by military conquest

WAR!!! • • Peloponnesian Wars Athens Vs. Sparta needs help Who will assist them?

Eventually • Sparta wins, but at great cost • Cannot conquer Greece, lost too many soldiers • Greece is peaceful but greatly weakened

Leads to new Conquest

Philip II of Macedonia • Macedonia: outside kingdom that adopted Greek culture, language, and religion • Philip II: Conquers all of Greece and unites them into 1 army – Plans to invade Persian Empire – Assassinated before being able to

Now…. • Greece is united under the Macedonians, but