Persia Flashcards
revise
Xerxes’ preparations for the invasion of Greece.
100,000-300,000 men realistically, 2 million according to Herotodus, issued tax among his subjects to prepare and took 4 years. Also built up his fleet of ships.
Battle of Thermopylae
Leonidus had 7,000 men whereas Xerxes had 70,000+, Greeks resisted in a narrow pass near Thermopylae, howver Ephialtes, a Greek, betrayed the Greeks for money, and alerted Xerxes of a hidden passage that went around Thermopylae. Leonidus was informed of this and sent off much of his army, however decided to stay there himself, likely as a last stand to give the Greeks more time to prepare that Xerxes was coming.
- Battle of Salamis (including prep. and events)
After Thermopylae, the Greeks had deserted to the island of Salamis, and the Persian navy caught up. However as they thought, Persian numbers were a hindrance as the wind and weather made it cramped for the ships to move, letting the Greeks fight back and eliminate the majority of the Persian army.
Features of Cyrus’ childhood
-Astyages was his grandfather
-Sentenced to death by Astyages
-Harpagus was forced to eat his own son for saving Cyrus\
Cyrus conquering the Medes
Revolted against his grandfather, Astyages and conquered Medes
Cyrus’ conquest of Lydia
King Croesus of Lydia was worried that Cyrus was conquering too near Lydia and declared war on him. As it was nearing Winter, Cyrus unexpectedly attacked them during war, the Persians won and placed Sardis under siege.
During the siege, the Persians used camels to win against cavalry and won the battle, conquering Lydia
Cyrus sparing Croesus
As Cyrus was executing Croesus, the former king of Lydia, he set him alight, burning him however, during the execution, it rained, sparing Croesus. Cyrus took this as a sign of mercy from Apollo and made Croesus his advisor.
Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon
Cyrus decalred war on Babylon and won, placing them under siege, he then invaded the city during a festival, by drying out the river that ran into the city by digging it out, he then raided the city and won, conquering Babylon.
Bisutin Inscription
The Bisitun Inscription was a scripture which labelled the regions that rebelled against Darius, this includes:
Persia, Elam, Media, Assyria, Egypt, Parthia, Margiana, Sattagydia, and the Saka of central Asia. It describes Darius fighting 19 battles against rebellious regions whilst taking hostages. Most
leaders of the rebellions claimed they were related to the royal family.
Battle of Cannae
Rome had 40,000 troops and Hannibal had 40,000 aswell, assembled near Rome. Hannibal had his weak troops centered around the middle, then his strong cavalary on the right, overpowering the Roman cavalry, allowing a flank, letting them win the battle.
King Ancus
-Wanted to return religion to what it
had been under his grandfather, Numa.
-Captured the city of Politorium and
destroyed it so that it could not be used
in the future to attack Rome
- Invited the Latins to become Rome
citizens (the Admurciae district was
built between the Aventine and
Palatine hills to help them settle).
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Cambyses Treatment of People
-Cambyses, the Persian king, had a mixed reputation.
-Egyptians viewed him as cruel and disrespectful.
-Allegedly mocked their gods and killed the sacred Apis Bull.
-Removed tax breaks for temples, angering priests.
-His invasions of Ethiopia and Ammon ended in failure.
-Some accounts claim he respected Egyptian traditions by restoring temples.
Hostilius’ war against Alba Longa
-Tullus Hostilius became king during tensions with Alba Longa over border disputes.
-Conflict arose after the death of Cluilius, the King of Alba Longa.
-Hostilius was persuaded by Mettius to avoid war, opting for a battle between triplets.
-Battle of the Three Albans: Roman triplets, the Horatii, defeated the Alban Curiatii.
-Mettius later betrayed Rome by allying with the Etruscans during war, leading to punishment and destruction of Alba Longa.
How Priscus became King of ROme
-Lucumo, son of wealthy Demaratus, moved to Rome with his wife Tanaquil to pursue political ambitions.
-Upon arriving, an eagle snatched his cap, which Tanaquil interpreted as a sign of future kingship.
-Lucumo changed his name to Tarquinius Priscus to gain Roman favor.
-He used wealth to win support, allegedly employing ambitus (political corruption).
-Priscus became the first king to campaign for the Senate’s votes, consolidating his power.
Cyrus: Religious activities
-Conquered Babylon in 539 BC, ending Nabonidus’ oppressive rule.
-Issued the Cyrus Cylinder, showing himself as chosen by Marduk, Babylon’s god.
-Allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, restoring their religious practices.
-Called a “messiah” in the Old Testament for freeing the Jews.
-Allowed all religions across the empire.
