Lecture 19 - Greeks and the East

Question 1

Assyrians and Medes before Darius I - Hdt

Answer 1

The end of the Assyrians - They had been masters of upper Asia over a period of 520 years…“Their lead was followed by the others within the Assyrian empire, until every people in that part of the continent had won its independence.

Question 2

The Persian revolt - Hdt

Answer 2

“The Persians had long resented their subjection to the Medes. At last they had found a leader, and welcomed with enthusiasm the prospect of liberty”.

Question 3

Revolt of Cyrus against the Median king Astyages - Hdt

Answer 3

Hdt says that Astyages marched against Cyrus, the king of Persia. However the army rebelled against Astyages and they took him prisoner and handed him to Cyrus. Cyrus marched to Ecbatana and took Persia.

Question 4

When did Cyrus crush the Babylonian empire?

Answer 4

538 BCE

Question 5

Developments in Persia during the reign of Darius I

Answer 5

Establishment of satraps in subject states, payment of tribute to the king, obligatory military service, construction of the Royal Road connecting Persepolis with Sardis. Also the 513 BCE expedition across the Hellespont to Skythia and Thrace.

Question 6

Croesus and the Greeks - Hdt

Answer 6

“The first Greek city state that Croesus attached was Ephesos…Croesus subsequently attacked all the Ionian and Aeolian cities…”

Question 7

Employment in the Persian Empire

Answer 7

There were Ionian workers at Persepolis, Greek contractors in the Persian Empire, also Democedes of Croton treated Darius, dined with him and such. However he was not allowed to return to Greece.